Sea Turtles in Massachusetts in December
Yes, December is one of the best months to see sea turtles in Massachusetts. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 12 of the 82 sightings logged across the year (14.6%), 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.
Peak month for sea turtles in Massachusetts
14.6%
of yearly sightings
12
records in December
#3
busiest month of 12
82
verified records a year
November 26.8%, December 14.6%, January 2.4%. Busiest month is November at 26.8%.
82 verified observations of sea turtles in Massachusetts, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When sea turtles are recorded in Massachusetts
Peak month
November
22 records (26.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 2.4% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 4 | 4.9% |
| April | 4 | 4.9% |
| May | 1 | 1.2% |
| June | 3 | 3.7% |
| July | 6 | 7.3% |
| Augustpeak | 12 | 14.6% |
| September | 8 | 9.8% |
| October | 8 | 9.8% |
| Novemberpeak | 22 | 26.8% |
| Decemberpeak | 12 | 14.6% |
Sea Turtles you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle | 41 |
| Loggerhead Sea Turtle | 24 |
| Green Sea Turtle | 10 |
In Massachusetts, December carries 14.6% of the year's sea turtles sightings, about 6.3 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 11 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from November (26.8%) into December, and it heads toward January (2.4%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so December is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The sea turtles most often recorded in Massachusetts are Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle, Loggerhead Sea Turtle and Green 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
- Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle41 records
- Loggerhead Sea Turtle24 records
- Green Sea Turtle10 records
Plan your sea turtle trip in Massachusetts
Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Appalachian National Scenic 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 Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best sea turtle viewing area in Massachusetts.
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Broader backupBook a sea turtle tour in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 12 of the 82 verified sea turtles sightings logged in Massachusetts across the year, which is 14.6% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see sea turtles in Massachusetts?+
December is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of November, August and December.
What month is best for sea turtles in Massachusetts?+
November is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through November, August and December, based on 82 verified observations.
Which sea turtles are you most likely to see in Massachusetts?+
The most-recorded species in Massachusetts are Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle, Loggerhead Sea Turtle and Green Sea Turtle, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See sea turtles in Massachusetts in other months
More wildlife in Massachusetts