Seals in Alaska in May
Yes, May is a good month to see seals in Alaska. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 274 of the 2,374 sightings logged across the year (11.5%), 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.
Good month for seals in Alaska
11.5%
of yearly sightings
274
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
2,374
verified records a year
April 2.6%, May 11.5%, June 26.7%. 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, May carries 11.5% of the year's seals sightings, about 3.2 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (2.6%) into May, and it heads toward June (26.7%) after. The busiest month is June (26.7%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The seals most often recorded in Alaska are Harbor Seal, Ringed Seal and Spotted Seal. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May 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.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Alagnak Wild River
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main seal viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Alagnak Wild River
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best seal viewing area in Alaska.
Viator
Broader backupBook a seal tour in Alaska
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see seals in Alaska in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 274 of the 2,374 verified seals sightings logged in Alaska across the year, which is 11.5% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see seals in Alaska?+
May is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though June and July is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
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