Best Time to See Sea Turtles in Texas
March, June and May is the best time to see sea turtles in Texas. Based on 1,669 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when sea turtles are most active across the year in Texas.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Green Sea Turtle · Jared Shorma CC BY
Green Sea Turtle · Adam Cohen CC BY
Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle · Rachel Stringham CC BY
1,669 verified observations of sea turtles in Texas, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When sea turtles are recorded in Texas
Peak month
March
288 records (17.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 71 | 4.3% |
| February | 74 | 4.4% |
| Marchpeak | 288 | 17.3% |
| April | 141 | 8.4% |
| Maypeak | 196 | 11.7% |
| Junepeak | 216 | 12.9% |
| July | 179 | 10.7% |
| August | 115 | 6.9% |
| September | 114 | 6.8% |
| October | 100 | 6% |
| November | 88 | 5.3% |
| December | 87 | 5.2% |
Sea Turtles you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Green Sea Turtle | 1,326 |
| Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle | 233 |
| Loggerhead Sea Turtle | 74 |
| Hawksbill Sea Turtle | 5 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Texas
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 49 to 93 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 60°F | 39°F | 0.9" |
| Feb | 60°F | 38°F | 1" |
| Marbest time | 71°F | 49°F | 1.7" |
| Apr | 78°F | 56°F | 1.6" |
| Maybest time | 85°F | 64°F | 5.1" |
| Junbest time | 93°F | 72°F | 1.7" |
| Jul | 96°F | 75°F | 0.9" |
| Aug | 96°F | 75°F | 1.2" |
| Sep | 89°F | 69°F | 1.7" |
| Oct | 80°F | 58°F | 2" |
| Nov | 67°F | 48°F | 1.1" |
| Dec | 64°F | 44°F | 1.2" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Texas. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of sea turtles in Texas peak in March, when 288 of the year's 1,669 verified observations are logged — about 17.3% of the annual total. Activity stays high through March, June and May.
The quietest stretch is January, February and December, when sea turtles are hardest to find — January sees just 71 records. 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 Texas are Green Sea Turtle, Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle and Loggerhead 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 Texas
- Amistad National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Big Bend National Park — National Park
- Big Thicket National Preserve — National Preserve
- Chamizal National Memorial — National Memorial
- Fort Davis National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park — National Park
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see sea turtles in Texas?+
March is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through March, June and May, based on 1,669 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are sea turtles hardest to see in Texas?+
January is the quietest month for sea turtles in Texas, with only 71 verified records.
Are sea turtles active year-round in Texas?+
Sea turtles are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Texas, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in March.
More places to see sea turtles
More wildlife in Texas