Sea Turtles in Virginia in December
Yes, December is a good month to see sea turtles in Virginia. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 15 of the 137 sightings logged across the year (10.9%), 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.
Good month for sea turtles in Virginia
10.9%
of yearly sightings
15
records in December
#5
busiest month of 12
137
verified records a year
November 11.7%, December 10.9%, January 3.6%. Busiest month is May at 14.6%.
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 |
In Virginia, December carries 10.9% of the year's sea turtles sightings, about 2.6 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity holds steady between November and December, and it heads toward January (3.6%) after. The busiest month is May (14.6%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The sea turtles most often recorded in Virginia are Loggerhead Sea Turtle, Green Sea Turtle and Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle. Those counts are annual totals rather than a December split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in December itself.
Which sea turtles you are most likely to see
- Loggerhead Sea Turtle78 records
- Green Sea Turtle25 records
- Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle23 records
Plan your sea turtle trip in Virginia
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.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
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 Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best sea turtle viewing area in Virginia.
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Broader backupBook a sea turtle tour in Virginia
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 Virginia in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 15 of the 137 verified sea turtles sightings logged in Virginia across the year, which is 10.9% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see sea turtles in Virginia?+
December is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though May and June is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for sea turtles in Virginia?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, June and July, based on 137 verified observations.
Which sea turtles are you most likely to see in Virginia?+
The most-recorded species in Virginia are Loggerhead Sea Turtle, Green Sea Turtle and Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See sea turtles in Virginia in other months
More wildlife in Virginia