Best Time to See Green Sea Turtles in Louisiana

December, April and May is the best time to see green sea turtles in Louisiana. Based on 24 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when green sea turtles are most active across the year in Louisiana.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 10, 2026.

Green Sea Turtle photographed in Louisiana

Green Sea Turtle · Abby Darrah CC BY

Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Best months: December, April, May

24 verified observations of green sea turtles in Louisiana, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When green sea turtles are recorded in Louisiana

Peak month

December

4 records (16.7% of the year)

Quietest month

September

No verified records

MonthObservationsShare
January28.3%
February14.2%
March14.2%
Aprilpeak312.5%
Maypeak312.5%
June14.2%
July28.3%
August312.5%
September00%
October28.3%
November28.3%
Decemberpeak416.7%

Green Sea Turtles you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Green Sea Turtle24

Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo

Typical weather in Louisiana

Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when green sea turtles are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for green sea turtles sit around 48 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.

MonthAvg highAvg lowRain
Jan61°F44°F5.6"
Feb64°F46°F5.3"
Mar72°F54°F5.8"
Aprbest time76°F58°F7.8"
Maybest time85°F67°F6"
Jun90°F73°F4.9"
Jul91°F75°F8.2"
Aug93°F76°F4.7"
Sep90°F71°F4.1"
Oct80°F62°F3.7"
Nov69°F50°F3.8"
Decbest time65°F48°F4.9"

Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Louisiana. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.

More on green sea turtles in Louisiana:

Sightings of green sea turtles in Louisiana peak in December, when 4 of the year's 24 verified observations are logged — about 16.7% of the annual total. Activity stays high through December, April and May.

The quietest stretch is September, February and March, when green sea turtles are hardest to find — no verified records exist for September. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.

The green sea turtles you are most likely to encounter in Louisiana are Green Sea Turtle — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.

Where to go

Best places to see green sea turtles in Louisiana

  • Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and PreserveNational Historical Park and Preserve
  • Cane River Creole National Historical ParkNational Historical Park
  • El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic TrailNational Historic Trail
  • New Orleans Jazz National Historical ParkNational Historical Park
  • Poverty Point National MonumentNational Monument
  • Vicksburg National Military ParkNational Military Park

Frequently asked questions

What is the best month to see green sea turtles in Louisiana?+

December is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through December, April and May, based on 24 verified iNaturalist observations.

When are green sea turtles hardest to see in Louisiana?+

September is the quietest month for green sea turtles in Louisiana, with no verified records on iNaturalist.

Are green sea turtles active year-round in Louisiana?+

Green sea turtles are recorded in 11 of 12 months in Louisiana, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in December.