Best Time to See Sea Turtles in Mississippi
April, May and June is the best time to see sea turtles in Mississippi. Based on 42 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when sea turtles are most active across the year in Mississippi.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle · Abby Darrah CC BY
Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle · Abby Darrah CC BY
Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle · Tia Offner CC BY
42 verified observations of sea turtles in Mississippi, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When sea turtles are recorded in Mississippi
Peak month
April
19 records (45.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1 | 2.4% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 2 | 4.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 19 | 45.2% |
| Maypeak | 5 | 11.9% |
| Junepeak | 5 | 11.9% |
| July | 1 | 2.4% |
| August | 1 | 2.4% |
| September | 3 | 7.1% |
| October | 3 | 7.1% |
| November | 1 | 2.4% |
| December | 1 | 2.4% |
Sea Turtles you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle | 27 |
| Loggerhead Sea Turtle | 6 |
| Green Sea Turtle | 5 |
| Hawksbill Sea Turtle | 1 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Mississippi
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 54 to 89 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 57°F | 40°F | 6" |
| Feb | 61°F | 42°F | 6.7" |
| Mar | 69°F | 49°F | 5.4" |
| Aprbest time | 74°F | 54°F | 7.5" |
| Maybest time | 82°F | 63°F | 4.9" |
| Junbest time | 89°F | 70°F | 4.5" |
| Jul | 90°F | 74°F | 6" |
| Aug | 90°F | 74°F | 5.7" |
| Sep | 88°F | 69°F | 2.8" |
| Oct | 77°F | 58°F | 4.3" |
| Nov | 66°F | 46°F | 2.9" |
| Dec | 61°F | 44°F | 5.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Mississippi. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on sea turtles in Mississippi:
Sightings of sea turtles in Mississippi peak in April, when 19 of the year's 42 verified observations are logged — about 45.2% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and June.
The quietest stretch is February, January and July, when sea turtles are hardest to find — no verified records exist for February. 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 Mississippi are Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle, Loggerhead Sea Turtle and 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 sea turtles in Mississippi
- Gulf Islands National Seashore — National Seashore
- Natchez Trace Parkway — Parkway
- Shiloh National Military Park — National Military Park
- Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site — National Battlefield Site
- Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument — National Monument
- Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument — National Monument
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see sea turtles in Mississippi?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and June, based on 42 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are sea turtles hardest to see in Mississippi?+
February is the quietest month for sea turtles in Mississippi, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are sea turtles active year-round in Mississippi?+
Sea turtles are recorded in 11 of 12 months in Mississippi, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More places to see sea turtles
More wildlife in Mississippi