Wildlife guide · Mustang Island
Mustang Island and the adjoining Padre Island National Seashore are the most important nesting beaches in the United States for the Kemp's ridley — the world's most endangered sea turtle. Here's what to look for, when, and what to do if you find a nest, fresh tracks, or a stranded turtle.
Three species of sea turtle are seen along the Port Aransas coast: the Kemp's ridley (the headliner — federally listed as endangered), the green sea turtle (often spotted in jetty rocks and the ferry channel), and occasional loggerheads farther offshore. Kemp's ridley nesting peaks April through July, and the National Park Service runs public hatchling releases on Padre Island most summers when conditions allow.
Lepidochelys kempii
The smallest and most endangered sea turtle in the world. Adults reach about 24–28 inches in shell length and 70–100 pounds. Mustang Island and Padre Island National Seashore are the most important U.S. nesting beaches. Females nest in daylight in groups called arribadas — a behavior unique to ridleys.
Chelonia mydas
Frequently seen feeding on seagrass and algae in the bays, around the jetties, and in the Aransas Pass ferry channel. Juveniles are common; adults are larger and migratory. Watch the rocks at the south jetty on calm days.
Caretta caretta
Less common in Port Aransas than ridleys or greens, but observed offshore and occasionally beached. Identifiable by their large reddish-brown heads and powerful jaws.
Nesting and tracks peak from April through July. Stranded turtles can show up year-round but are more commonly reported during cold snaps in winter (cold-stunning).
Jan
Rare
Feb
Rare
Mar
Possible
Apr
Peak
May
Peak
Jun
Peak
Jul
Peak
Aug
Possible
Sep
Rare
Oct
Rare
Nov
Rare
Dec
Rare
All sea turtles in U.S. waters are federally protected. Touching, disturbing, or harassing a sea turtle, nest, or hatchling is a federal crime. The right move is always: do not touch — call the hotline.
Sea Turtle Hotline
1-866-TURTLE-5 (1-866-887-8535)Padre Island National Seashore — 24/7 for nests, tracks, stranded or injured sea turtles.
Keep at least 50 feet of distance. Keep dogs leashed and well away. Do not let children approach for photos.
Tracks in the sand are a direct line to a nest. Walking on or near them can collapse it. Do not handle eggs, even if you think they're abandoned.
Padre Island National Seashore runs the regional sea-turtle hotline 24/7. They will dispatch trained responders.
Mile marker, nearest beach access, or GPS coordinates from your phone — anything that helps responders find the spot.
If safe, stay nearby to keep people and pets away. Do not move the turtle into the water or shade — responders will assess and act.
April through July, with the heaviest nesting activity in May and June. Kemp's ridleys nest in daylight (often morning), unlike most sea turtles. Hatchlings emerge roughly 50–60 days after a nest is laid, so the first public hatchling releases at Padre Island National Seashore are typically in mid-June and continue through July and into August.
Yes, when conditions allow. Padre Island National Seashore announces public hatchling releases on short notice (the timing depends on temperature). Sign up for the park's hatchling release alert hotline at 361-949-7163, and check the National Park Service Padre Island website during the season for the day's status.
Do not touch it. Stay back at least 50 feet, keep dogs and children away, and call the regional sea-turtle hotline at 1-866-TURTLE-5 (1-866-887-8535). The hotline runs 24/7 and dispatches trained responders. Note the location (nearest beach access or GPS pin) when you call.
Sea turtle tracks look like wide tractor-tire marks coming up out of the surf, with a distinctive flipper pattern. They lead to a circular disturbed area in the sand (the nest). If you see fresh tracks but no nest, the nest could be nearby — don't try to find it. Call the hotline and note the location.
Mustang Island and adjacent Padre Island National Seashore are the most important nesting beaches in the United States for the Kemp's ridley — the world's most endangered sea turtle. The Texas nesting effort is the cornerstone of a multi-decade binational recovery program with Mexico, where the species' single largest nesting beach is at Rancho Nuevo.
Absolutely. Sea turtles do not interact with swimmers and are generally seen on the beach during nesting (in the morning) or far offshore. Routine swimming, surfing, and beach use don't disturb nesting activity as long as you stay clear of any tracks or roped-off nest sites you encounter.
They can, which is why active nests are roped off and marked once located, and why driving outside the marked beach corridors is prohibited. If you're driving on the beach, stay between the dunes and the water in the marked driving lane, slow down at any roped-off areas, and watch for posted nest markers.
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