Best Time to See Seals in Alaska
June, July and August is the best time to see seals in Alaska. Based on 2,374 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when seals are most active across the year in Alaska.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Spotted Seal · Nigel Voaden CC BY
Harbor Seal · Dan Harville CC BY-SA
Pacific Harbor Seal · Public domain CC0
2,374 verified observations of seals in Alaska, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When seals are recorded in Alaska
Peak month
June
635 records (26.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 11 | 0.5% |
| February | 25 | 1.1% |
| March | 39 | 1.6% |
| April | 62 | 2.6% |
| May | 274 | 11.5% |
| Junepeak | 635 | 26.7% |
| Julypeak | 563 | 23.7% |
| Augustpeak | 446 | 18.8% |
| September | 205 | 8.6% |
| October | 73 | 3.1% |
| November | 24 | 1% |
| December | 17 | 0.7% |
Seals you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Harbor Seal | 2,228 |
| Ringed Seal | 57 |
| Spotted Seal | 31 |
| Bearded Seal | 8 |
| Ribbon Seal | 3 |
| Northern Elephant Seal | 1 |
| Grey Seal | 1 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Alaska
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when seals are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for seals sit around 50 to 69 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 20°F | 11°F | 1.8" |
| Feb | 24°F | 14°F | 2.4" |
| Mar | 33°F | 19°F | 1.7" |
| Apr | 44°F | 27°F | 1.3" |
| May | 58°F | 41°F | 1.8" |
| Junbest time | 67°F | 50°F | 1.2" |
| Julbest time | 69°F | 54°F | 3.5" |
| Augbest time | 66°F | 52°F | 4.5" |
| Sep | 55°F | 43°F | 5.2" |
| Oct | 42°F | 32°F | 3.7" |
| Nov | 27°F | 18°F | 3.6" |
| Dec | 22°F | 12°F | 3.1" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Alaska. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on seals in Alaska:
Sightings of seals in Alaska peak in June, when 635 of the year's 2,374 verified observations are logged — about 26.7% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, July and August.
The quietest stretch is January, when seals are hardest to find — January sees just 11 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The seals you are most likely to encounter in Alaska are Harbor Seal, Ringed Seal and Spotted Seal — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see seals in Alaska
- Alagnak Wild River — Wild River
- Aleutian Islands World War II National Historic Area — National Historic Area
- Aniakchak National Monument & Preserve — National Monument & Preserve
- Bering Land Bridge National Preserve — National Preserve
- Cape Krusenstern National Monument — National Monument
- Denali National Park & Preserve — National Park & Preserve
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see seals in Alaska?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, July and August, based on 2,374 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are seals hardest to see in Alaska?+
January is the quietest month for seals in Alaska, with only 11 verified records.
Are seals active year-round in Alaska?+
Seals are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Alaska, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in June.
More places to see seals
More wildlife in Alaska