Seals in New Jersey in January
Yes, January is one of the best months to see seals in New Jersey. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 109 of the 546 sightings logged across the year (20%), 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 New Jersey
20%
of yearly sightings
109
records in January
#3
busiest month of 12
546
verified records a year
December 11.9%, January 20%, February 23.4%. 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, January carries 20% of the year's seals sightings, about 11.7 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 rising from December (11.9%) into January, and it heads toward February (23.4%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so January is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The seals most often recorded in New Jersey are Harbor Seal, Grey Seal and Harp Seal. Those counts are annual totals rather than a January split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in January 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.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main seal viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best seal viewing area in New Jersey.
Viator
Broader backupBook a seal tour in New Jersey
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 New Jersey in January?+
Yes. January accounts for 109 of the 546 verified seals sightings logged in New Jersey across the year, which is 20% of the annual total.
Is January a good time to see seals in New Jersey?+
January is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of March, February and January.
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