Sea Turtles in New York in December
Yes, December is one of the best months to see sea turtles in New York. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 18 of the 93 sightings logged across the year (19.4%), 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 July 2, 2026.
Peak month for sea turtles in New York
19.4%
of yearly sightings
18
records in December
#2
busiest month of 12
93
verified records a year
November 3.2%, December 19.4%, January 4.3%. Busiest month is August at 36.6%.
93 verified observations of sea turtles in New York, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When sea turtles are recorded in New York
Peak month
August
34 records (36.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4 | 4.3% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 1 | 1.1% |
| April | 2 | 2.2% |
| May | 1 | 1.1% |
| June | 3 | 3.2% |
| Julypeak | 15 | 16.1% |
| Augustpeak | 34 | 36.6% |
| September | 9 | 9.7% |
| October | 3 | 3.2% |
| November | 3 | 3.2% |
| Decemberpeak | 18 | 19.4% |
Sea Turtles you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle | 37 |
| Loggerhead Sea Turtle | 30 |
| Green Sea Turtle | 19 |
In New York, December carries 19.4% of the year's sea turtles sightings, about 11.1 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 11 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from November (3.2%) into December, and it heads toward January (4.3%) 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 New York 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 Turtle37 records
- Loggerhead Sea Turtle30 records
- Green Sea Turtle19 records
Plan your sea turtle trip in New York
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 New York.
Viator
Broader backupBook a sea turtle tour in New York
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 New York in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 18 of the 93 verified sea turtles sightings logged in New York across the year, which is 19.4% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see sea turtles in New York?+
December is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of August, December and July.
What month is best for sea turtles in New York?+
August is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through August, December and July, based on 93 verified observations.
Which sea turtles are you most likely to see in New York?+
The most-recorded species in New York are Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle, Loggerhead Sea Turtle and Green Sea Turtle, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.