Best Time to See Seals in New York
January, February and March is the best time to see seals in New York. Based on 765 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when seals are most active across the year in New York.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Atlantic Harbor Seal · Elizabeth Axley CC BY
Grey Seal · Dmitry Mozzherin CC BY
Atlantic Harbor Seal · Zihao Wang CC BY
765 verified observations of seals in New York, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When seals are recorded in New York
Peak month
January
156 records (20.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 156 | 20.4% |
| Februarypeak | 118 | 15.4% |
| Marchpeak | 116 | 15.2% |
| April | 100 | 13.1% |
| May | 36 | 4.7% |
| June | 31 | 4.1% |
| July | 13 | 1.7% |
| August | 14 | 1.8% |
| September | 18 | 2.4% |
| October | 15 | 2% |
| November | 59 | 7.7% |
| December | 89 | 11.6% |
Seals you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Harbor Seal | 493 |
| Grey Seal | 234 |
| Harp Seal | 16 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in New York
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when seals are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for seals sit around 15 to 41 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 29°F | 15°F | 3.7" |
| Febbest time | 32°F | 16°F | 3.6" |
| Marbest time | 41°F | 23°F | 3.8" |
| Apr | 52°F | 34°F | 4.9" |
| May | 63°F | 45°F | 3.9" |
| Jun | 72°F | 55°F | 3.8" |
| Jul | 77°F | 61°F | 5.3" |
| Aug | 75°F | 60°F | 5.3" |
| Sep | 68°F | 53°F | 3.4" |
| Oct | 58°F | 44°F | 5.1" |
| Nov | 43°F | 30°F | 3.3" |
| Dec | 36°F | 24°F | 4.7" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for New York. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on seals in New York:
Sightings of seals in New York peak in January, when 156 of the year's 765 verified observations are logged — about 20.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through January, February and March.
The quietest stretch is July, August and October, when seals are hardest to find — July sees just 13 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The seals you are most likely to encounter in New York are Harbor Seal, Grey Seal and Harp Seal — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see seals in New York
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake Bay
- Fire Island National Seashore — National Seashore
- Martin Van Buren National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- National Parks of New York Harbor
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see seals in New York?+
January is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through January, February and March, based on 765 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are seals hardest to see in New York?+
July is the quietest month for seals in New York, with only 13 verified records.
Are seals active year-round in New York?+
Seals are recorded in 12 of 12 months in New York, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in January.
More places to see seals
More wildlife in New York