Best Time to See Sea Turtles in Maryland
June, August and July is the best time to see sea turtles in Maryland. Based on 32 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when sea turtles are most active across the year in Maryland.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Loggerhead Sea Turtle · Public domain CC0
32 verified observations of sea turtles in Maryland, recorded across 9 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When sea turtles are recorded in Maryland
Peak month
June
6 records (18.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 1 | 3.1% |
| March | 0 | 0% |
| April | 0 | 0% |
| May | 2 | 6.3% |
| Junepeak | 6 | 18.8% |
| Julypeak | 4 | 12.5% |
| Augustpeak | 5 | 15.6% |
| September | 4 | 12.5% |
| October | 3 | 9.4% |
| November | 3 | 9.4% |
| December | 4 | 12.5% |
Sea Turtles you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Loggerhead Sea Turtle | 23 |
| Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle | 2 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Maryland
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when sea turtles are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for sea turtles sit around 64 to 89 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 44°F | 30°F | 3.3" |
| Feb | 48°F | 31°F | 3.9" |
| Mar | 56°F | 37°F | 3.9" |
| Apr | 66°F | 45°F | 4.7" |
| May | 73°F | 54°F | 4.7" |
| Junbest time | 83°F | 64°F | 5.4" |
| Julbest time | 89°F | 70°F | 7.3" |
| Augbest time | 85°F | 69°F | 7.6" |
| Sep | 79°F | 62°F | 4.9" |
| Oct | 69°F | 52°F | 4.9" |
| Nov | 56°F | 40°F | 3.2" |
| Dec | 49°F | 34°F | 4.8" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Maryland. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on sea turtles in Maryland:
Sightings of sea turtles in Maryland peak in June, when 6 of the year's 32 verified observations are logged — about 18.8% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, August and July.
The quietest stretch is January, March and April, when sea turtles are hardest to find — no verified records exist for January. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The sea turtles you are most likely to encounter in Maryland are Loggerhead Sea Turtle and Kemp's Ridley 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 sea turtles in Maryland
- Antietam National Battlefield — National Battlefield
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Assateague Island National Seashore — National Seashore
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Chesapeake Bay
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see sea turtles in Maryland?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, August and July, based on 32 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are sea turtles hardest to see in Maryland?+
January is the quietest month for sea turtles in Maryland, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are sea turtles active year-round in Maryland?+
Sea turtles are recorded in 9 of 12 months in Maryland, concentrated around June and August.
More places to see sea turtles
More wildlife in Maryland