Seals in Alaska in August
Yes, August is one of the best months to see seals in Alaska. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 446 of the 2,374 sightings logged across the year (18.8%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Peak month for seals in Alaska
18.8%
of yearly sightings
446
records in August
#3
busiest month of 12
2,374
verified records a year
July 23.7%, August 18.8%, September 8.6%. Busiest month is June at 26.7%.
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 |
In Alaska, August carries 18.8% of the year's seals sightings, about 10.5 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from July (23.7%) into August, and it heads toward September (8.6%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so August is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The seals most often recorded in Alaska are Harbor Seal, Ringed Seal and Spotted Seal. Those counts are annual totals rather than a August split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in August itself.
Which seals you are most likely to see
- Harbor Seal2,228 records
- Ringed Seal57 records
- Spotted Seal31 records
- Bearded Seal8 records
- Ribbon Seal3 records
- Northern Elephant Seal1 records
Plan your seal trip in Alaska
Start with live tours near Alagnak Wild River, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you see seals in Alaska in August?+
Yes. August accounts for 446 of the 2,374 verified seals sightings logged in Alaska across the year, which is 18.8% of the annual total.
Is August a good time to see seals in Alaska?+
August is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, July and August.
What month is best for seals in Alaska?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and August, based on 2,374 verified observations.
Which seals are you most likely to see in Alaska?+
The most-recorded species in Alaska are Harbor Seal, Ringed Seal and Spotted Seal, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See seals in Alaska in other months
More wildlife in Alaska