Seals in New Jersey in December
Yes, December is a good month to see seals in New Jersey. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 65 of the 546 sightings logged across the year (11.9%), 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 New Jersey
11.9%
of yearly sightings
65
records in December
#4
busiest month of 12
546
verified records a year
November 2%, December 11.9%, January 20%. Busiest month is March at 29.3%.
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)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 109 | 20% |
| Februarypeak | 128 | 23.4% |
| Marchpeak | 160 | 29.3% |
| April | 44 | 8.1% |
| May | 11 | 2% |
| June | 3 | 0.5% |
| July | 2 | 0.4% |
| August | 7 | 1.3% |
| September | 3 | 0.5% |
| October | 3 | 0.5% |
| November | 11 | 2% |
| December | 65 | 11.9% |
Seals you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Harbor Seal | 405 |
| Grey Seal | 103 |
| Harp Seal | 18 |
| Hooded Seal | 1 |
In New Jersey, December carries 11.9% of the year's seals sightings, about 3.6 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 November (2%) into December, and it heads toward January (20%) 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 December split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in December itself.
Which seals you are most likely to see
- Harbor Seal405 records
- Grey Seal103 records
- Harp Seal18 records
- Hooded Seal1 records
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.
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Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main seal viewing area.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you see seals in New Jersey in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 65 of the 546 verified seals sightings logged in New Jersey across the year, which is 11.9% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see seals in New Jersey?+
December is the 4th 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.
See seals in New Jersey in other months
More wildlife in New Jersey