Kemp's ridley sea turtle hatchlings crawling across the sand at Padre Island National Seashore (NPS Photo; date not given). Photo: NPS Photo · public domain · resized; cropped to fit. Not current conditions.
Padre Island National Seashorewildlife
Public Kemp's ridley sea turtle hatchling releases typically happen from mid-June through August, mostly at 6:45 a.m. on Malaquite Beach, per the National Park Service; each one depends on nests hatching and on the weather, not Padre Island National Seashore's own peak dates. Its usual window for this year has passed.
Padre Island National Seashore through the year
- Sea turtle nesting season, April to mid-July: a yellow turtle flag flies at the entrance station and visitor center on days a Kemp's ridley nest is found on the Texas coastApr–Jul
- Public Kemp's ridley hatchling releases, typically mid-June through August, around sunriseJun–Aug
- Jun: The park suggests checking its hatchling release page again in June 2027 for the next season's releasesJun
This week at Padre Island National Seashore
Right now in Padre Island National Seashore · September
Next usual wildlife timingmid-June through August, at one spot
Today here · Tue, Sep 29
Timing at one spot: mid-June through August.
Window: National Park Service. How these work
Where to watch
- Malaquite Beach (release site)The public releases happen here, in front of the Malaquite Visitor Center, behind the release barriers. You can't drive onto Malaquite Beach: park in the lot and walk down to the sand.
- Malaquite Visitor CenterAbout 15 minutes south of the entrance station. Its deck has the restrooms and an accessible ramp down to the beach; the park lends two beach wheelchairs and a walker, first come, first served.
Nearby
- Attwater Prairie Chicken Refuge167 miLocal timing: late February through early April · starts in ~5 months
- St. Marks Refuge818 mi3 separate phases, from May · starts soonTuSunnyWeSunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likelyThMostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likelyFrChance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likelySaChance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likelySuChance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likelyMoShowers And Thunderstorms Likely, rain likely
- National Key Deer Refuge1007 mi3 separate phases, from May and JuneTuShowers And Thunderstorms Likely, rain likelyWeShowers And Thunderstorms Likely, rain likelyThShowers And Thunderstorms Likely, rain likelyFrShowers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likelySaChance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likelySuSlight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likelyMoSlight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likely
- Carolina Sandhills Refuge1122 mi3 separate phases, from April through OctoberTuSunnyWePatchy Fog then SunnyThSunnyFrSunny, rain likelySaSlight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likelySuShowers And Thunderstorms Likely, rain likelyMoChance Rain Showers, rain likely
Padre Island National Seashore in pictures
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see wildlife at Padre Island National Seashore?
We don't have local timing for Padre Island National Seashore yet. Public Kemp's ridley sea turtle hatchling releases typically happen from mid-June through August, mostly at 6:45 a.m. on Malaquite Beach, per the National Park Service; each one depends on nests hatching and on the weather: mid-June through August. That's for that one spot, not the whole place, and not a forecast.
Is it the season at Padre Island National Seashore right now?
Not now: its usual wildlife window for this year has passed. Next time: mid-June through August, at one spot.
How do I find out about the next release?
Releases are announced only about a day ahead, because hatching is hard to predict. They're posted on the park's hatchling release page and social media and on the recorded Hatchling Hotline, (361) 949-7163. Call the hotline before you drive out; releases can be cancelled for weather, extreme high tides, flooded roads, or turtles that haven't hatched.Source: National Park Service, Padre Island National Seashore: Sea Turtle Hatchling Releases ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Are any releases scheduled now?
No. As of September 2026 the park says the 2026 Kemp's ridley release season has ended and nothing is scheduled; it suggests checking its page again in June 2027.Source: National Park Service, Padre Island National Seashore: Sea Turtle Hatchling Releases ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Is there a fee?
Yes, entrance fees apply year-round. As of September 2026 a one-day pass is $10 per vehicle and expires at midnight on the day you buy it, so buy it on the morning of the release, after calling the hotline; a 7-day private-vehicle pass is $25. Annual and lifetime pass holders show their pass and ID at the entrance station.Sources: National Park Service, Padre Island National Seashore: Sea Turtle Hatchling Releases ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Padre Island National Seashore: Fees & Passes ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I bring my dog?
Not to a release: leave pets at home (trained service animals are allowed). On other days leashed pets are welcome on the park's beaches, campgrounds, trails and boardwalks.Sources: National Park Service, Padre Island National Seashore: Sea Turtle Hatchling Releases ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Padre Island National Seashore: Pets ↗ (opens in a new tab)
What should I wear and bring?
No white clothing or shoes (they can confuse the hatchlings), and no flashlights or flash photos. Bring water (leave food in the car), a hat, sunglasses and sunblock; a beach chair is fine outside the release area. The park store takes cards or phone payments only.Source: National Park Service, Padre Island National Seashore: Sea Turtle Hatchling Releases ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Padre Island National Seashore?
Malaquite Beach (release site): the public releases happen here, in front of the Malaquite Visitor Center, behind the release barriers. You can't drive onto Malaquite Beach: park in the lot and walk down to the sand.; Malaquite Visitor Center: about 15 minutes south of the entrance station. Its deck has the restrooms and an accessible ramp down to the beach; the park lends two beach wheelchairs and a walker, first come, first served..
What is Padre Island National Seashore like through the year?
Public Kemp's ridley hatchling releases, typically mid-June through August, around sunrise (Jun–Aug), Sea turtle nesting season, April to mid-July: a yellow turtle flag flies at the entrance station and visitor center on days a Kemp's ridley nest is found on the Texas coast (Apr–Jul) and The park suggests checking its hatchling release page again in June 2027 for the next season's releases (Jun).
How we know
National Park Service, Padre Island National Seashore: Sea Turtle Hatchling Releases (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · National Park Service, Padre Island National Seashore: Fees & Passes (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · National Park Service, Padre Island National Seashore: Pets (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · National Park Service, Padre Island National Seashore: What Does the Yellow Turtle Flag Mean? (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) National Park Service sources: no claim to original U.S. Government works.