Seals in Washington in May
Yes, May is a good month to see seals in Washington. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 577 of the 5,927 sightings logged across the year (9.7%), 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 Washington
9.7%
of yearly sightings
577
records in May
#5
busiest month of 12
5,927
verified records a year
April 10.6%, May 9.7%, June 10.1%. Busiest month is July at 13.2%.
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 |
In Washington, May carries 9.7% of the year's seals sightings, about 1.4 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 holds steady between April and May, and it heads toward June (10.1%) after. The busiest month is July (13.2%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The seals most often recorded in Washington are Harbor Seal and Northern Elephant 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 seals you are most likely to see
- Harbor Seal5,712 records
- Northern Elephant Seal199 records
Plan your seal 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 seal viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best seal viewing area in Washington.
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Broader backupBook a seal 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 seals in Washington in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 577 of the 5,927 verified seals sightings logged in Washington across the year, which is 9.7% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see seals in Washington?+
May is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though July and August is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for seals in Washington?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, August and April, based on 5,927 verified observations.
Which seals are you most likely to see in Washington?+
The most-recorded species in Washington are Harbor Seal and Northern Elephant Seal, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See seals in Washington in other months
More wildlife in Washington