Sea Turtles in Virginia in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see sea turtles in Virginia. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 20 of the 137 sightings logged across the year (14.6%), 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 Virginia
14.6%
of yearly sightings
20
records in May
#1
busiest month of 12
137
verified records a year
April 5.1%, May 14.6%, June 14.6%. 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, May carries 14.6% of the year's sea turtles sightings, about 6.3 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (5.1%) into May, and it heads toward June (14.6%) 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 Virginia are Loggerhead Sea Turtle, Green Sea Turtle and Kemp's Ridley 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
- 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.
Viator
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 May?+
Yes. May accounts for 20 of the 137 verified sea turtles sightings logged in Virginia across the year, which is 14.6% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see sea turtles in Virginia?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, June and July.
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