Sea Turtles in Texas in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see sea turtles in Texas. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 196 of the 1,669 sightings logged across the year (11.7%), 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 June 28, 2026.
Peak month for sea turtles in Texas
11.7%
of yearly sightings
196
records in May
#3
busiest month of 12
1,669
verified records a year
April 8.4%, May 11.7%, June 12.9%. Busiest month is March at 17.3%.
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 |
In Texas, May carries 11.7% of the year's sea turtles sightings, about 3.4 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (8.4%) into May, and it heads toward June (12.9%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The sea turtles most often recorded in Texas are Green Sea Turtle, Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle and Loggerhead Sea Turtle. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which sea turtles you are most likely to see
- Green Sea Turtle1,326 records
- Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle233 records
- Loggerhead Sea Turtle74 records
- Hawksbill Sea Turtle5 records
Plan your sea turtle trip in Texas
Start with live tours near Amistad National Recreation Area, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Amistad National Recreation Area
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 Amistad National Recreation Area
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best sea turtle viewing area in Texas.
Viator
Broader backupBook a sea turtle tour in Texas
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 Texas in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 196 of the 1,669 verified sea turtles sightings logged in Texas across the year, which is 11.7% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see sea turtles in Texas?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of March, June and May.
What month is best for sea turtles in Texas?+
March is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through March, June and May, based on 1,669 verified observations.
Which sea turtles are you most likely to see in Texas?+
The most-recorded species in Texas are Green Sea Turtle, Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle and Loggerhead Sea Turtle, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.