Preliminary Numbers for Sea Turtle Season Looking to Set Records

These preliminary numbers were provided by FWC as of August 31, 2026:

Loggerheads have reached a preliminary 136,972 nests statewide as of August 31, already exceeding the previous annual record of 134,930 nests set in 2023. These numbers are still preliminary and will need to be verified before we can officially call 2026 a new record year, but it’s an exciting milestone!

Green turtles continue to keep things interesting, with 50,815 nests documented statewide. Their nesting numbers can vary widely from year to year, and 2026 is shaping up to be another strong season. Since standardized nest surveys began in 1989, Florida’s green turtle population has increased 80-fold.

Leatherback turtles could also break their nesting season record in Florida, with more than 2,000 nests tracked so far this year. Preliminary data suggests 2026 could set a new record for leatherback nesting in Florida.

Kemp’s ridley turtles remain rare visitors to Florida’s beaches, with 15 confirmed nests documented so far this season. This remains one of the most remarkable sea turtle events of the 2026 season. The majority of Kemp’s ridley nesting occurs on the western Gulf coast, making sightings in Florida uncommon.

Hawksbill: 0 nests – According to FWC, this is the rarest sea turtle that are found primarily on reefs in the Florida Keys and along the southeastern Atlantic coast.