Seal Watching at the Jersey Shore
Harbor seals visit New Jersey waters each winter. See these amazing marine mammals without leaving the shore.
When to See Seals
Dec-Apr
Seal season
Feb-Mar
Peak sightings
Low Tide
Best viewing
Morning
Calmest conditions
Best Viewing Spots
Sandy Hook
Best spot for seals. They haul out on sandbars visible from shore or by kayak.
Free park entry in winter. Observation areas available.
Best viewing: Mid-tide when sandbars are exposed
Barnegat Inlet
Seals rest on jetties and sandbars near the lighthouse.
View from Barnegat Light State Park.
Best viewing: Early morning, calm days
Manasquan Inlet
Occasional sightings on jetties and near the inlet.
Public access at both sides of inlet.
Best viewing: Variable - check local reports
Great Bay
Seals spotted in the wildlife refuge areas.
Forsythe NWR wildlife drive.
Best viewing: Best with binoculars from shore
Seal Facts
Species
Harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) are the most common. Gray seals and harp seals occasionally visit.
Season
December through April. Peak sightings February-March.
Population
Hundreds visit NJ waters each winter, migrating from New England.
Behavior
Seals "haul out" on land to rest and regulate body temperature.
Viewing Guidelines
- ⚠️Keep your distance - 150 feet minimum. Use binoculars.
- ⚠️Never approach, touch, or feed seals.
- ⚠️If a seal looks at you, you're too close.
- ⚠️Report injured or stranded seals to Marine Mammal Stranding Center: 609-266-0538
More Wildlife
Explore birding, whale watching, and other wildlife at the shore.
All Wildlife