Seals in New Jersey in April

Yes, April is a good month to see seals in New Jersey. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 44 of the 546 sightings logged across the year (8.1%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

T

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

Hooded Seal photographed in New JerseyHarbor Seal photographed in New JerseyHarp Seal photographed in New Jersey
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Good month for seals in New Jersey

8.1%

of yearly sightings

44

records in April

#5

busiest month of 12

546

verified records a year

March 29.3%, April 8.1%, May 2%. Busiest month is March at 29.3%.

Best months: March, February, January

546 verified observations of seals in New Jersey, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When seals are recorded in New Jersey

Peak month

March

160 records (29.3% of the year)

Quietest month

July

2 records

MonthObservationsShare
Januarypeak10920%
Februarypeak12823.4%
Marchpeak16029.3%
April448.1%
May112%
June30.5%
July20.4%
August71.3%
September30.5%
October30.5%
November112%
December6511.9%

Seals you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Harbor Seal405
Grey Seal103
Harp Seal18
Hooded Seal1

In New Jersey, April carries 8.1% of the year's seals sightings, about 0.2 points below an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is easing off from March (29.3%) into April, and it heads toward May (2%) after. The busiest month is March (29.3%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.

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

Which seals you are most likely to see

  • Harbor Seal405 records
  • Grey Seal103 records
  • Harp Seal18 records
  • Hooded Seal1 records
Plan your tripAppalachian National Scenic Trail

Plan your seal trip in New Jersey

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 New Jersey in April?+

Yes. April accounts for 44 of the 546 verified seals sightings logged in New Jersey across the year, which is 8.1% of the annual total.

Is April a good time to see seals in New Jersey?+

April is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though March and February is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.

What month is best for seals in New Jersey?+

March is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through March, February and January, based on 546 verified observations.

Which seals are you most likely to see in New Jersey?+

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