Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle – Global Nesting Guide

The Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) is the smallest and one of the most geographically restricted sea turtle species, best known for its unusual mass nesting behaviour called arribadas. While this species does not occur in South Africa, it is included here as part of a complete sea turtle species resource that supports people researching turtle nesting South Africa, the broader sea turtle family, and what visitors might learn about when preparing for St Lucia turtle tours.

On the protected beaches of iSimangaliso Wetland Park, sea turtle conservation monitoring focuses on the species that nest along the Maputaland coast. Visitors joining guided night turtle tours from St Lucia travel into this protected coastal wilderness to look for tracks in the sand and, when conditions allow, observe nesting activity under strict guidelines designed to limit disturbance.

Kemp’s Ridley turtles provide an important comparison because their nesting strategy differs from many other sea turtles. Unlike most sea turtles that nest individually, Kemp’s Ridleys can nest in large synchronized groups, and their population history is closely tied to threats like egg collection and incidental capture in fishing operations.

Understanding how different sea turtle species nest, migrate and survive strengthens conservation awareness and builds real authority for any website covering sea turtles and responsible turtle tourism.

Species Facts

Common Name: No one is sure why it is called ridley, possibly due to having similar nesting behavior as the olive ridley.

Scientific Name: Lepidochelys kempii

Average Size: Around 2 feet (65 cm) average carapace length.

Average Weight: 77 to 100 pounds (35-45 kg).

Diet: Crabs, clams, mussels, shrimp; also fish, sea urchins, squid and jellyfish.

Habitat: Shallow areas with sandy and muddy bottoms.

Nesting: About every 1.5 years on average; mass synchronized nestings called arribadas; nests 2–3 times per season; ~110 eggs per nest; ~55 days incubation.

Range: Adults mostly limited to the Gulf of Mexico. Juveniles range between tropical and temperate coastal areas of the northwest Atlantic Ocean and can be found along the east coast of the United States.

Status: Critically Endangered (as stated below).

High-Authority Opening

The centre of turtle nesting South Africa is the protected Maputaland coastline within iSimangaliso Wetland Park, and St Lucia is the main access point for guided night turtle tours into this remote coastal wilderness. Kemp’s Ridley turtles are a Gulf of Mexico / northwest Atlantic species, but understanding their unique arribada nesting behaviour helps explain the wide diversity of sea turtle nesting strategies worldwide.

Information About the Kemp's Ridley Turtle

Common Name: No one is sure why it is called ridley, possibly due to having similar nesting behavior as the olive ridley.

Scientific Name: Lepidochelys kempii

Description: The Kemps Ridley turtle's head is moderate and triangular in size. Carapace is bony without ridges and has large, non-overlapping scutes (scales) present. Carapace has 5 lateral scutes and is very rounded. Front flippers have 1 claw, while the rear flipper has 1 or 2 claws. Adults have a dark grey green carapace with a white or yellowish plastron, while the hatchlings are jet black.

Size: Adult Kemps Ridley turtles measure around 2 feet (65 cm) in average carapace length.

Weight: Adults Kemps Ridley turtles weigh between 77 and 100 pounds (35-45 kg).

Diet: Have powerful jaws that help them to crush and grind crabs, clams, mussels, and shrimp. They also like to eat fish, sea urchins, squid and jellyfish.

Habitat: Prefer shallow areas with sandy and muddy bottoms.

Nesting: Kemp's ridleys nest more often than other species, every 1 1/2 years on average. They also nest in mass synchronized nestings called arribadas (Spanish for "arrival"). Only the olive ridley also nests this way. Kemp's ridley nest 2 - 3 times each season. They lay an average of 110 eggs in each nest and the eggs incubate for about 55 days.

Range: Adults are mostly limited to the Gulf of Mexico. Juvenile Kemp's Ridley Turtles range between tropical and temperate coastal areas of the northwest Atlantic Ocean and can be found up and down the east coast of the United States.

Status: U.S. - Listed as Endangered (in danger of extinction within the foreseeable future) under the U.S. Federal Endangered Species Act. International - Listed as Critically Endangered (facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.

Threats to the survival of thr Kemps Ridley Turtle: The greatest threat to the Kemp's ridley is from human use activities including collection of eggs and killing adults and juveniles for meat and other products. The significant decline in the number of Kemp's ridley nests was a result of high levels of incidental take by shrimp trawlers.

Population Estimate*: More than 2,500 nesting females.

Turtle Nesting in iSimangaliso Wetland Park

The Maputaland coastline inside iSimangaliso Wetland Park is where turtle nesting South Africa is concentrated. Conservation monitoring and controlled access help protect nesting activity on remote beaches, reducing disturbance to turtles and their nesting sites.

Turtle Tours from St Lucia

St Lucia turtle tours are guided night turtle tours operating during the summer season. The experience typically includes travelling north into protected coastal wilderness, searching for fresh tracks in the sand and, when conditions allow, observing nesting activity under strict conservation rules.

Best Time to See Turtles in South Africa

October – December
Peak nesting period on the iSimangaliso coastline

January – March
Hatchling period (timing varies with incubation conditions)

Where Turtles Nest in South Africa

Maputaland Coast
Bhanga Nek
Mabibi Beach
Kosi Bay
Sodwana Bay

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can you see turtles in South Africa?
The best place to see nesting sea turtles in South Africa is along the protected beaches of iSimangaliso Wetland Park on the Maputaland coast, accessed via St Lucia for guided night turtle tours in season.

When is turtle nesting season in St Lucia?
Turtle nesting season is typically from October to March, with nesting earlier and hatchlings later in the season.

Do Kemp’s Ridley turtles live in South Africa?
No. Kemp’s Ridley turtles are mainly associated with the Gulf of Mexico and the northwest Atlantic Ocean and are not a South African species.

What is an arribada?
A mass synchronized nesting event where many turtles come ashore to nest at the same time. Kemp’s Ridley and Olive Ridley turtles are known for arribada nesting.

What happens on a night turtle tour?
A guided drive along remote protected beaches at night, searching for tracks and, when conditions allow, observing nesting activity under strict conservation rules.

Can you see hatchlings in South Africa?
Hatchlings can sometimes be seen later in the season, most often from January to March depending on nesting and incubation timing.

What do Kemp’s Ridley turtles eat?
They have powerful jaws for crushing crabs, clams and other hard-shelled prey and may also eat fish, squid and jellyfish.

Do sea turtles return every year?
Many females return on multi-year cycles, and Kemp’s Ridley females may nest more frequently than some other species.

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