Best Time to See Green Sea Turtles in Virginia
November, December and October is the best time to see green sea turtles in Virginia. Based on 25 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when green sea turtles are most active across the year in Virginia.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 10, 2026.
Green Sea Turtle · 116916927065934112165 CC BY
25 verified observations of green sea turtles in Virginia, recorded across 7 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When green sea turtles are recorded in Virginia
Peak month
November
7 records (28% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 8% |
| February | 2 | 8% |
| March | 0 | 0% |
| April | 0 | 0% |
| May | 0 | 0% |
| June | 2 | 8% |
| July | 1 | 4% |
| August | 0 | 0% |
| September | 0 | 0% |
| Octoberpeak | 4 | 16% |
| Novemberpeak | 7 | 28% |
| Decemberpeak | 7 | 28% |
Green Sea Turtles you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Green Sea Turtle | 25 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Virginia
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when green sea turtles are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for green sea turtles sit around 34 to 71 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 47°F | 30°F | 3.2" |
| Feb | 52°F | 33°F | 4" |
| Mar | 60°F | 39°F | 3" |
| Apr | 70°F | 46°F | 3.9" |
| May | 77°F | 56°F | 3.5" |
| Jun | 86°F | 64°F | 3.1" |
| Jul | 92°F | 70°F | 3.2" |
| Aug | 88°F | 68°F | 3.8" |
| Sep | 82°F | 62°F | 2.9" |
| Octbest time | 71°F | 52°F | 3.6" |
| Novbest time | 59°F | 39°F | 3.1" |
| Decbest time | 52°F | 34°F | 4" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Virginia. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on green sea turtles in Virginia:
Sightings of green sea turtles in Virginia peak in November, when 7 of the year's 25 verified observations are logged — about 28% of the annual total. Activity stays high through November, December and October.
The quietest stretch is March, April and May, when green sea turtles are hardest to find — no verified records exist for March. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The green sea turtles you are most likely to encounter in Virginia are Green 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 green sea turtles in Virginia
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Appomattox Court House National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Assateague Island National Seashore — National Seashore
- Blue Ridge Parkway — Parkway
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake Bay
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see green sea turtles in Virginia?+
November is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through November, December and October, based on 25 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are green sea turtles hardest to see in Virginia?+
March is the quietest month for green sea turtles in Virginia, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are green sea turtles active year-round in Virginia?+
Green sea turtles are recorded in 7 of 12 months in Virginia, concentrated around November and December.
More places to see green sea turtles
More wildlife in Virginia