Sea Lions in Oregon in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see sea lions in Oregon. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 265 of the 2,532 sightings logged across the year (10.5%), 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 sea lions in Oregon
10.5%
of yearly sightings
265
records in May
#3
busiest month of 12
2,532
verified records a year
April 9.4%, May 10.5%, June 10.3%. Busiest month is March at 12.2%.
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)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 118 | 4.7% |
| February | 145 | 5.7% |
| Marchpeak | 310 | 12.2% |
| April | 238 | 9.4% |
| Maypeak | 265 | 10.5% |
| June | 261 | 10.3% |
| July | 198 | 7.8% |
| Augustpeak | 291 | 11.5% |
| September | 228 | 9% |
| October | 186 | 7.3% |
| November | 155 | 6.1% |
| December | 137 | 5.4% |
Sea Lions you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| California Sea Lion | 1,563 |
| Steller Sea Lion | 793 |
| Guadalupe Fur Seal | 21 |
| Northern Fur Seal | 10 |
In Oregon, May carries 10.5% of the year's sea lions sightings, about 2.2 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 April (9.4%) into May, and it heads toward June (10.3%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
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 May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May 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 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.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Crater Lake National Park
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main sea lion viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Crater Lake National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best sea lion viewing area in Oregon.
Viator
Broader backupBook a sea lion tour in Oregon
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 sea lions in Oregon in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 265 of the 2,532 verified sea lions sightings logged in Oregon across the year, which is 10.5% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see sea lions in Oregon?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of March, August and May.
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.
See sea lions in Oregon in other months
More wildlife in Oregon