(NewsNation) — The 2026 sea turtle nesting season in Florida has been very active, with two species on track to set records this year.
As of June 30, an unprecedented 2,152 leatherback turtle nests have been identified in the state, which, if confirmed, would set a new record, the FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute reported. Meanwhile, loggerhead turtles are headed towards a record year with 94,667 nests documented in the state, representing the highest number recorded by June over the past five years.
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Close to 90% of sea turtle nesting in the country takes place in Florida from March to October every year, Visit Florida reports. Duval County’s Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol, which observes turtles and nests along Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach, said on July 26 that it has already identified a record-breaking 117 nests on its beaches this year.
2026 Sea Turtle Nesting Season graphic (FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute)
Here is the total number of sea turtle nests identified through the end of June in Florida, according to the FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute:
Green Turtle: 10,603 nests
Kemp’s Ridley: 15 confirmed nests
Olive Ridley: 1 confirmed nest
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Researchers noted that the discovery of “Florida’s first confirmed olive ridley turtle nest remains one of the most remarkable discoveries of the 2026 season.”
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