Historic First As Two Olive Ridley Sea Turtles Nest On California Beaches
Video/Image Credit: Huntington Beach Fire Department
Two olive ridley sea turtles have made history after nesting on beaches in Southern California, marking the first documented natural sea turtle nesting on the West Coast of the United States.
The first turtle was observed digging a nest and laying eggs near Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge on September 16, 2026. Three days later, another olive ridley sea turtle was observed nesting near the Huntington Beach Pier.
“Experts confirmed both nests were laid by two different olive ridley sea turtles.”
NOAA Fisheries also highlighted the significance of the discovery:
“This is the first-ever recorded natural nesting for any sea turtle species on the U.S. West Coast.”
A team of local, state, and federal partners is monitoring both nesting sites throughout the incubation period, which typically lasts 45 to 60 days. Both areas have been fenced and protected, with signage in place to help prevent disturbance.
Officials are urging beachgoers to keep their distance and give the nests plenty of space, helping provide the eggs and future hatchlings with the best chance of survival.
Olive ridley sea turtles are found primarily in tropical waters of the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic oceans. Adults can weigh up to 100 pounds and measure approximately 2.5 to 3 feet in length, with an estimated lifespan of 30 to 50 years. Major Pacific nesting populations are found in Mexico, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama.
The effort has brought together NOAA Fisheries, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, local firefighters and lifeguards, the U.S. Navy in Seal Beach, and other partners working to protect the two nesting sites.
The historic nesting events mark an extraordinary moment for sea turtles along the California coast as teams continue working to safeguard the eggs and future hatchlings.
