Best Time to See Seals in Washington
July, August and April is the best time to see seals in Washington. Based on 5,927 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when seals are most active across the year in Washington.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Harbor Seal · Public domain CC0
Pacific Harbor Seal · Cricket Raspet CC BY
Pacific Harbor Seal · sprcrkwild CC BY
5,927 verified observations of seals in Washington, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When seals are recorded in Washington
Peak month
July
781 records (13.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 290 | 4.9% |
| February | 237 | 4% |
| March | 351 | 5.9% |
| Aprilpeak | 629 | 10.6% |
| May | 577 | 9.7% |
| June | 599 | 10.1% |
| Julypeak | 781 | 13.2% |
| Augustpeak | 722 | 12.2% |
| September | 553 | 9.3% |
| October | 539 | 9.1% |
| November | 380 | 6.4% |
| December | 269 | 4.5% |
Seals you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Harbor Seal | 5,712 |
| Northern Elephant Seal | 199 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Washington
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 33 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 35°F | 24°F | 4.5" |
| Feb | 36°F | 22°F | 2.8" |
| Mar | 46°F | 28°F | 1.2" |
| Aprbest time | 56°F | 33°F | 1.3" |
| May | 67°F | 44°F | 1.2" |
| Jun | 76°F | 51°F | 0.9" |
| Julbest time | 86°F | 57°F | 0.2" |
| Augbest time | 86°F | 58°F | 0.3" |
| Sep | 74°F | 50°F | 1.1" |
| Oct | 59°F | 39°F | 1.7" |
| Nov | 42°F | 29°F | 3.6" |
| Dec | 33°F | 23°F | 3.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Washington. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on seals in Washington:
Sightings of seals in Washington peak in July, when 781 of the year's 5,927 verified observations are logged — about 13.2% of the annual total. Activity stays high through July, August and April.
The quietest stretch is February, December and January, when seals are hardest to find — February sees just 237 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 Washington are Harbor Seal and Northern Elephant 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 Washington
- Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve — National Historical Reserve
- Fort Vancouver National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Lewis and Clark National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Mount Rainier National Park — National Park
- Nez Perce National Historical Park — National Historical Park
Go see them · Washington
Poulsbo Harbor Seal Kayak Tour
What makes this tour special is the combination of calm-water kayaking and rich, place-based storytelling. As your local guide, I don’t just point out...
Staying over? Compare places to stay near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see seals in Washington?+
July is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through July, August and April, based on 5,927 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are seals hardest to see in Washington?+
February is the quietest month for seals in Washington, with only 237 verified records.
Are seals active year-round in Washington?+
Seals are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Washington, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in July.
More places to see seals
More wildlife in Washington