Sea Turtles in Florida in May
Yes, May is a good month to see sea turtles in Florida. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 314 of the 3,023 sightings logged across the year (10.4%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Good month for sea turtles in Florida
10.4%
of yearly sightings
314
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
3,023
verified records a year
April 7.2%, May 10.4%, June 15.4%. Busiest month is July at 16.3%.
3,023 verified observations of sea turtles in Florida, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When sea turtles are recorded in Florida
Peak month
July
492 records (16.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 162 | 5.4% |
| February | 110 | 3.6% |
| March | 176 | 5.8% |
| April | 219 | 7.2% |
| May | 314 | 10.4% |
| Junepeak | 465 | 15.4% |
| Julypeak | 492 | 16.3% |
| Augustpeak | 389 | 12.9% |
| September | 213 | 7% |
| October | 151 | 5% |
| November | 190 | 6.3% |
| December | 142 | 4.7% |
Sea Turtles you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Green Sea Turtle | 1,605 |
| Loggerhead Sea Turtle | 1,112 |
| Hawksbill Sea Turtle | 76 |
| Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle | 68 |
In Florida, May carries 10.4% of the year's sea turtles sightings, about 2.1 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (7.2%) into May, and it heads toward June (15.4%) after. The busiest month is July (16.3%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The sea turtles most often recorded in Florida are Green Sea Turtle, Loggerhead Sea Turtle and Hawksbill Sea Turtle. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which sea turtles you are most likely to see
- Green Sea Turtle1,605 records
- Loggerhead Sea Turtle1,112 records
- Hawksbill Sea Turtle76 records
- Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle68 records
Plan your sea turtle trip in Florida
Start with live tours near Big Cypress National Preserve, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Big Cypress National Preserve
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main sea turtle viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Big Cypress National Preserve
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best sea turtle viewing area in Florida.
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Broader backupBook a sea turtle tour in Florida
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see sea turtles in Florida in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 314 of the 3,023 verified sea turtles sightings logged in Florida across the year, which is 10.4% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see sea turtles in Florida?+
May is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though July and June is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for sea turtles in Florida?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, June and August, based on 3,023 verified observations.
Which sea turtles are you most likely to see in Florida?+
The most-recorded species in Florida are Green Sea Turtle, Loggerhead Sea Turtle and Hawksbill Sea Turtle, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See sea turtles in Florida in other months
More wildlife in Florida