Green Sea Turtle
Chelonia mydas
Peconic & Gardiners Bay
Juvenile green turtles summer in the Peconic Estuary and Long Island's south shore bays, feeding on eelgrass and algae before autumn's southward run. Like the Kemp's ridley they are cold-stun casualties when inshore water temperature crashes in November.
Best months
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Best time of day
- Daytime bay trips
- How to see
- Spot from kayak or paddleboard over eelgrass flats; report strandings to NY Marine Rescue (631-369-9829).
- Cost
- Free
- Age
- All ages
- Accessibility
- Varies by vessel
- Responsible viewing
- Never touch — threatened under the ESA. Report strandings to NY Marine Rescue (631-369-9829).
- Weather / sea state
- Calm bay conditions.