Sea Turtle Nesting Season in Port Aransas & North Padre Island

Each spring, sea turtles return to the Texas coast to nest, and beachgoers play an important role in keeping them safe.

Nesting season for the critically endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle runs from April 1 through July 15, with activity peaking in late May and early June. Loggerhead and green sea turtles—both threatened—may also come ashore, though less frequently.

Turtles often nest during windy conditions or high tides, but they can appear at any time. Because their sand-colored shells blend in easily, drivers should be especially cautious on the beach. One clear sign of nesting is a set of wide, checkmark-shaped tracks leading from the water to the dunes.

If you spot a turtle or fresh tracks, keep your distance. Getting too close can scare the turtle back into the Gulf before she lays her eggs. Instead, report the sighting to 1-866-TURTLE-5 (ext. 4) or contact the ARK. If possible, stay nearby and help keep the area safe until trained staff arrive.

Patrol teams monitor Mustang Island daily, marking nests and relocating eggs to protected incubation facilities. There, temperature-controlled conditions help ensure successful hatching—warmer sand tends to produce more females. After about 55 days, hatchlings emerge and are released shortly after.

The Kemp’s ridley, the smallest sea turtle species, nests mostly during the day, unlike other turtles that prefer nighttime. In 2025, Mustang Island recorded a record 52 nests—mostly Kemp’s ridleys—a hopeful sign for a species still fighting to recover.

https://www.portasouthjetty.com/articles/keep-an-eye-out/