Seals in Massachusetts in July

Yes, July is one of the best months to see seals in Massachusetts. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 405 of the 3,245 sightings logged across the year (12.5%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.

Atlantic Grey Seal photographed in MassachusettsAtlantic Grey Seal photographed in MassachusettsHarp Seal photographed in Massachusetts
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Peak month for seals in Massachusetts

12.5%

of yearly sightings

405

records in July

#2

busiest month of 12

3,245

verified records a year

June 12.2%, July 12.5%, August 15.2%. Busiest month is August at 15.2%.

Best months: August, July, JunePeak season right now

3,245 verified observations of seals in Massachusetts, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When seals are recorded in Massachusetts

Peak month

August

494 records (15.2% of the year)

Quietest month

February

164 records

MonthObservationsShare
January1956%
February1645.1%
March2046.3%
April1865.7%
May2076.4%
Junepeak39612.2%
Julypeak40512.5%
Augustpeak49415.2%
September2658.2%
October2357.2%
November2738.4%
December2216.8%

Seals you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Grey Seal2,068
Harbor Seal943
Harp Seal57
Hooded Seal1

In Massachusetts, July carries 12.5% of the year's seals sightings, about 4.2 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity holds steady between June and July, and it heads toward August (15.2%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so July is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.

The seals most often recorded in Massachusetts are Grey Seal, Harbor Seal and Harp Seal. Those counts are annual totals rather than a July split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in July itself.

Which seals you are most likely to see

  • Grey Seal2,068 records
  • Harbor Seal943 records
  • Harp Seal57 records
  • Hooded Seal1 records
Plan your tripAppalachian National Scenic Trail

Plan your seal trip in Massachusetts

Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.

Frequently asked questions

Can you see seals in Massachusetts in July?+

Yes. July accounts for 405 of the 3,245 verified seals sightings logged in Massachusetts across the year, which is 12.5% of the annual total.

Is July a good time to see seals in Massachusetts?+

July is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of August, July and June.

What month is best for seals in Massachusetts?+

August is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through August, July and June, based on 3,245 verified observations.

Which seals are you most likely to see in Massachusetts?+

The most-recorded species in Massachusetts are Grey Seal, Harbor Seal and Harp Seal, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.