Best Time to See Sea Turtles in New Jersey
August, September and October is the best time to see sea turtles in New Jersey. Based on 74 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when sea turtles are most active across the year in New Jersey.
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
Loggerhead Sea Turtle · Samuel Paul Galick CC BY
Loggerhead Sea Turtle · Peter Burka CC BY-SA
74 verified observations of sea turtles in New Jersey, recorded across 9 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When sea turtles are recorded in New Jersey
Peak month
August
16 records (21.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 5 | 6.8% |
| March | 1 | 1.4% |
| April | 0 | 0% |
| May | 2 | 2.7% |
| June | 7 | 9.5% |
| July | 9 | 12.2% |
| Augustpeak | 16 | 21.6% |
| Septemberpeak | 16 | 21.6% |
| Octoberpeak | 16 | 21.6% |
| November | 2 | 2.7% |
| December | 0 | 0% |
Sea Turtles you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Loggerhead Sea Turtle | 46 |
| Green Sea Turtle | 11 |
| Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle | 6 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in New Jersey
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 52 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 43°F | 28°F | 3.4" |
| Feb | 45°F | 29°F | 3.5" |
| Mar | 54°F | 35°F | 4.3" |
| Apr | 63°F | 44°F | 4.6" |
| May | 72°F | 53°F | 4.1" |
| Jun | 82°F | 63°F | 4.1" |
| Jul | 88°F | 70°F | 5.2" |
| Augbest time | 85°F | 69°F | 4.3" |
| Sepbest time | 78°F | 61°F | 4.4" |
| Octbest time | 68°F | 52°F | 4.7" |
| Nov | 55°F | 39°F | 3" |
| Dec | 46°F | 32°F | 4.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for New Jersey. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of sea turtles in New Jersey peak in August, when 16 of the year's 74 verified observations are logged — about 21.6% of the annual total. Activity stays high through August, September and October.
The quietest stretch is January, April and December, 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 New Jersey are Loggerhead Sea Turtle, Green 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 New Jersey
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Great Egg Harbor River
- Morristown National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Ellis Island Part of Statue of Liberty National Monument — Part of Statue of Liberty National Monument
- Gateway National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see sea turtles in New Jersey?+
August is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through August, September and October, based on 74 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are sea turtles hardest to see in New Jersey?+
January is the quietest month for sea turtles in New Jersey, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are sea turtles active year-round in New Jersey?+
Sea turtles are recorded in 9 of 12 months in New Jersey, concentrated around August and September.
More places to see sea turtles
More wildlife in New Jersey