Seals in New York in December
Yes, December is a good month to see seals in New York. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 89 of the 765 sightings logged across the year (11.6%), 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 York
11.6%
of yearly sightings
89
records in December
#5
busiest month of 12
765
verified records a year
November 7.7%, December 11.6%, January 20.4%. Busiest month is January at 20.4%.
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 |
In New York, December carries 11.6% of the year's seals sightings, about 3.3 points above 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 rising from November (7.7%) into December, and it heads toward January (20.4%) after. The busiest month is January (20.4%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The seals most often recorded in New York 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 Seal493 records
- Grey Seal234 records
- Harp Seal16 records
Plan your seal trip in New York
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.
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Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
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Broader backupBook a seal tour in New York
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 York in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 89 of the 765 verified seals sightings logged in New York across the year, which is 11.6% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see seals in New York?+
December is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though January and February is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for seals in New York?+
January is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through January, February and March, based on 765 verified observations.
Which seals are you most likely to see in New York?+
The most-recorded species in New York are Harbor Seal, Grey Seal and Harp Seal, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.