Sea Turtles in Hawaii in December
Yes, December is a good month to see sea turtles in Hawaii. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 1,039 of the 10,999 sightings logged across the year (9.4%), 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 Hawaii
9.4%
of yearly sightings
1,039
records in December
#4
busiest month of 12
10,999
verified records a year
November 7.1%, December 9.4%, January 9.1%. Busiest month is March at 10.5%.
10,999 verified observations of sea turtles in Hawaii, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When sea turtles are recorded in Hawaii
Peak month
March
1,157 records (10.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1,004 | 9.1% |
| February | 882 | 8% |
| Marchpeak | 1,157 | 10.5% |
| April | 964 | 8.8% |
| Maypeak | 1,059 | 9.6% |
| Junepeak | 1,067 | 9.7% |
| July | 882 | 8% |
| August | 851 | 7.7% |
| September | 700 | 6.4% |
| October | 618 | 5.6% |
| November | 776 | 7.1% |
| December | 1,039 | 9.4% |
Sea Turtles you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Green Sea Turtle | 10,861 |
| Hawksbill Sea Turtle | 102 |
| Loggerhead Sea Turtle | 2 |
| Olive Ridley Sea Turtle | 1 |
In Hawaii, December carries 9.4% of the year's sea turtles sightings, about 1.1 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 November (7.1%) into December, and it heads toward January (9.1%) after. The busiest month is March (10.5%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The sea turtles most often recorded in Hawaii are Green Sea Turtle, Hawksbill Sea Turtle and Loggerhead Sea Turtle. Those counts are annual totals rather than a December split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in December itself.
Which sea turtles you are most likely to see
- Green Sea Turtle10,861 records
- Hawksbill Sea Turtle102 records
- Loggerhead Sea Turtle2 records
- Olive Ridley Sea Turtle1 records
Plan your sea turtle trip in Hawaii
Start with live tours near Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
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 Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best sea turtle viewing area in Hawaii.
Viator
Broader backupBook a sea turtle tour in Hawaii
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 Hawaii in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 1,039 of the 10,999 verified sea turtles sightings logged in Hawaii across the year, which is 9.4% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see sea turtles in Hawaii?+
December is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though March and June is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for sea turtles in Hawaii?+
March is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through March, June and May, based on 10,999 verified observations.
Which sea turtles are you most likely to see in Hawaii?+
The most-recorded species in Hawaii are Green Sea Turtle, Hawksbill Sea Turtle and Loggerhead Sea Turtle, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See sea turtles in Hawaii in other months
More wildlife in Hawaii