Sea turtle makes nesting history on California beach
An olive ridley spotted laying eggs in Orange County marks the first recorded natural sea turtle nesting on the U.S. West Coast.
For the first time in recorded history, a sea turtle has been spotted laying eggs on the West Coast, well away from the usual tropical waters that olive ridley turtles call home.
An olive ridley sea turtle was spotted laying eggs on a beach in Orange County, California, marking the first recorded natural sea turtle nesting on the United States West Coast, and experts say El Niño could be partly responsible for this first.
Huntington Beach Fire Department Marine Safety lifeguards were first notified of the turtle, found near Seal Beach, on Sept. 16, according to a statement from the fire department. The lifeguards established a perimeter to protect the turtle before alerting NOAA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Nesting olive ridley sea turtle near the Huntington Beach Pier. (Credit: Huntington Beach Fire Department)
Three days later, on Sept. 19, a sea turtle was spotted again on the beach a few miles south near the Huntington Beach Pier, NOAA reported. The agency said it is uncertain whether this is the same turtle as before.
Officials will monitor the nesting site throughout the incubation period, which is about 45 to 60 days. People are urged to steer clear of both areas, which are fenced, protected and signed.
Why did an olive ridley sea turtle decide to nest in California now?
The Aquarium of the Pacific described the sighting as a "significant event," noting that the species' behavioral flexibility may in part explain why this olive ridley ended up nesting in an uncommon location.
"It is not known why these turtles chose Southern California beaches as nesting sites, but it indicates an important historical change that could have long-term implications for the species and for local sea turtle management and protection," aquarium officials said in a statement. "The behavior of these turtles was probably influenced, at least in part, by the incoming El Niño, along with the recent tropical storm, range expansion or perhaps navigational mistakes."
Surfside turtle eggs (left). Interagency team constructing fencing around the olive ridley nest on the beach in Surfside, Orange County (right). (Credit: NOAA Fisheries)
From tropical waters to Southern California shores
Adult olive ridley sea turtles can weigh up to 100 pounds and range from 2.5 to 3 feet in length, making them one of the smallest sea turtles, according to NOAA. Protected under the Endangered Species Act, these animals can live for 30 to 50 years.
"These sea turtles are found worldwide, primarily in the tropical waters of the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic oceans," NOAA said in a statement. "Major Pacific nesting populations span Mexico, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. While occasionally seen in Southern California following warm currents, this species has never been documented to nest in the United States."
Peak nesting season for olive ridleys in Mexico is currently taking place, with the season running from July to December, according to the Aquarium of the Pacific. The nearest large nesting beach is in the West Cape region of southern Baja up to Todos Santos, and a few scattered nests may be found near Magdalena Bay on the Pacific Baja coast.
Signs warn people not to disturb a sea turtle nesting site in Huntington Beach on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer/MediaNewsGroup/Orange County Register via Getty Images)
The Aquarium of the Pacific told AccuWeather that all seven of the world's sea turtle species are endangered, and they face both natural and human-caused risks. Many of the beaches where sea turtles lay their eggs are being degraded or lost due to pollution, coastal development and a changing climate that warms the sand. However, many people believe that olive ridleys would be the most resilient to climate change out of all sea turtles, since these "flexible foragers" eat almost anything and can live in a variety of habitats.
“As animals adapt in unexpected ways to changes in their natural world, humans will need to adapt and make space to ensure endangered and threatened species are given a fighting chance," President and CEO of the Aquarium of the Pacific Jeffrey Flocken said. "If they successfully hatch, these baby turtles will likely one day return to nest to carry on future generations on these very same beaches, giving us a remarkable opportunity to help a species expand its range and thrive.”
Aquarium officials added that there is a possibility of additional turtles nesting now or in the future on Southern California beaches. People are advised to look for sea turtle tracks in the sand.
NOAA Fisheries said people can help by reporting sea turtle sightings through its sighting submission form. Anyone who finds a stranded turtle is also advised to call the NOAA Fisheries West Coast Stranding Hotline.
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