Sea Lions in Washington in September
Yes, September is one of the best months to see sea lions in Washington. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 286 of the 2,626 sightings logged across the year (10.9%), 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 Washington
10.9%
of yearly sightings
286
records in September
#3
busiest month of 12
2,626
verified records a year
August 6.5%, September 10.9%, October 7.8%. Busiest month is April at 16.1%.
2,626 verified observations of sea lions in Washington, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When sea lions are recorded in Washington
Peak month
April
424 records (16.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 141 | 5.4% |
| February | 129 | 4.9% |
| March | 172 | 6.5% |
| Aprilpeak | 424 | 16.1% |
| Maypeak | 414 | 15.8% |
| June | 189 | 7.2% |
| July | 154 | 5.9% |
| August | 172 | 6.5% |
| Septemberpeak | 286 | 10.9% |
| October | 206 | 7.8% |
| November | 177 | 6.7% |
| December | 162 | 6.2% |
Sea Lions you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| California Sea Lion | 1,399 |
| Steller Sea Lion | 1,050 |
| Northern Fur Seal | 5 |
| Guadalupe Fur Seal | 1 |
In Washington, September carries 10.9% of the year's sea lions sightings, about 2.6 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 August (6.5%) into September, and it heads toward October (7.8%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so September is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The sea lions most often recorded in Washington are California Sea Lion, Steller Sea Lion and Northern Fur Seal. Those counts are annual totals rather than a September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September itself.
Which sea lions you are most likely to see
- California Sea Lion1,399 records
- Steller Sea Lion1,050 records
- Northern Fur Seal5 records
- Guadalupe Fur Seal1 records
Plan your sea lion trip in Washington
Start with live tours near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
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 Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best sea lion viewing area in Washington.
Viator
Broader backupBook a sea lion tour in Washington
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 Washington in September?+
Yes. September accounts for 286 of the 2,626 verified sea lions sightings logged in Washington across the year, which is 10.9% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see sea lions in Washington?+
September is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of April, May and September.
What month is best for sea lions in Washington?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, May and September, based on 2,626 verified observations.
Which sea lions are you most likely to see in Washington?+
The most-recorded species in Washington are California Sea Lion, Steller Sea Lion and Northern Fur Seal, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See sea lions in Washington in other months
More wildlife in Washington