Sea Lions in Oregon in April

Yes, April is a good month to see sea lions in Oregon. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 238 of the 2,532 sightings logged across the year (9.4%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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

California Sea Lion photographed in OregonCalifornia Sea Lion photographed in OregonSteller Sea Lion photographed in Oregon
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Good month for sea lions in Oregon

9.4%

of yearly sightings

238

records in April

#5

busiest month of 12

2,532

verified records a year

March 12.2%, April 9.4%, May 10.5%. Busiest month is March at 12.2%.

Best months: March, August, May

2,532 verified observations of sea lions in Oregon, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When sea lions are recorded in Oregon

Peak month

March

310 records (12.2% of the year)

Quietest month

January

118 records

MonthObservationsShare
January1184.7%
February1455.7%
Marchpeak31012.2%
April2389.4%
Maypeak26510.5%
June26110.3%
July1987.8%
Augustpeak29111.5%
September2289%
October1867.3%
November1556.1%
December1375.4%

Sea Lions you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
California Sea Lion1,563
Steller Sea Lion793
Guadalupe Fur Seal21
Northern Fur Seal10

In Oregon, April carries 9.4% of the year's sea lions sightings, about 1.1 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 easing off from March (12.2%) into April, and it heads toward May (10.5%) after. The busiest month is March (12.2%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.

The sea lions most often recorded in Oregon are California Sea Lion, Steller Sea Lion and Guadalupe Fur 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 sea lions you are most likely to see

  • California Sea Lion1,563 records
  • Steller Sea Lion793 records
  • Guadalupe Fur Seal21 records
  • Northern Fur Seal10 records
Plan your tripCrater Lake National Park

Plan your sea lion trip in Oregon

Start with live tours near Crater Lake National Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.

Frequently asked questions

Can you see sea lions in Oregon in April?+

Yes. April accounts for 238 of the 2,532 verified sea lions sightings logged in Oregon across the year, which is 9.4% of the annual total.

Is April a good time to see sea lions in Oregon?+

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

What month is best for sea lions in Oregon?+

March is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through March, August and May, based on 2,532 verified observations.

Which sea lions are you most likely to see in Oregon?+

The most-recorded species in Oregon are California Sea Lion, Steller Sea Lion and Guadalupe Fur Seal, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.