Best Time to See Sea Turtles in Virginia
May, June and July is the best time to see sea turtles in Virginia. Based on 137 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when 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 June 28, 2026.
Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle · JD Flores CC BY
Loggerhead Sea Turtle · kirk gardner CC BY
Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle · Public domain CC0
137 verified observations of sea turtles in Virginia, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When sea turtles are recorded in Virginia
Peak month
May
20 records (14.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 5 | 3.6% |
| February | 3 | 2.2% |
| March | 1 | 0.7% |
| April | 7 | 5.1% |
| Maypeak | 20 | 14.6% |
| Junepeak | 20 | 14.6% |
| Julypeak | 16 | 11.7% |
| August | 13 | 9.5% |
| September | 9 | 6.6% |
| October | 12 | 8.8% |
| November | 16 | 11.7% |
| December | 15 | 10.9% |
Sea Turtles you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Loggerhead Sea Turtle | 78 |
| Green Sea Turtle | 25 |
| Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle | 23 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Virginia
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 56 to 92 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" |
| Maybest time | 77°F | 56°F | 3.5" |
| Junbest time | 86°F | 64°F | 3.1" |
| Julbest time | 92°F | 70°F | 3.2" |
| Aug | 88°F | 68°F | 3.8" |
| Sep | 82°F | 62°F | 2.9" |
| Oct | 71°F | 52°F | 3.6" |
| Nov | 59°F | 39°F | 3.1" |
| Dec | 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.
Sightings of sea turtles in Virginia peak in May, when 20 of the year's 137 verified observations are logged — about 14.6% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, June and July.
The quietest stretch is March, when sea turtles are hardest to find — March sees just 1 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 Virginia are Loggerhead Sea Turtle, Green Sea Turtle and Kemp's Ridley 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 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 sea turtles in Virginia?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, June and July, based on 137 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are sea turtles hardest to see in Virginia?+
March is the quietest month for sea turtles in Virginia, with only 1 verified records.
Are sea turtles active year-round in Virginia?+
Sea turtles are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Virginia, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More places to see sea turtles
More wildlife in Virginia