Sea Turtles in New York in July

Yes, July is one of the best months to see sea turtles in New York. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 15 of the 93 sightings logged across the year (16.1%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

T

By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.

Leatherback Sea Turtle photographed in New YorkLeatherback Sea Turtle photographed in New YorkKemp's Ridley Sea Turtle photographed in New York
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Peak month for sea turtles in New York

16.1%

of yearly sightings

15

records in July

#3

busiest month of 12

93

verified records a year

June 3.2%, July 16.1%, August 36.6%. Busiest month is August at 36.6%.

Best months: August, December, JulyPeak season right now

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)

Quietest month

February

No verified records

MonthObservationsShare
January44.3%
February00%
March11.1%
April22.2%
May11.1%
June33.2%
Julypeak1516.1%
Augustpeak3436.6%
September99.7%
October33.2%
November33.2%
Decemberpeak1819.4%

Sea Turtles you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle37
Loggerhead Sea Turtle30
Green Sea Turtle19

In New York, July carries 16.1% of the year's sea turtles sightings, about 7.8 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 rising from June (3.2%) into July, and it heads toward August (36.6%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so July 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 July split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in July 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 tripAppalachian National Scenic Trail

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.

Frequently asked questions

Can you see sea turtles in New York in July?+

Yes. July accounts for 15 of the 93 verified sea turtles sightings logged in New York across the year, which is 16.1% of the annual total.

Is July a good time to see sea turtles in New York?+

July is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd 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.