Due to hunting and pollution, 30 years ago, Atlantic harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) were almost never seen in Sandy Hook Bay. Now, the water is cleaner water, fish they hunt is more abundant, and there are more protections in place. As a result, every fall, harbor seals head south from Canada and New England to escape the harsh winter.
From November through March, hundreds of harbor seals can now be seen in the Sandy Hook Bay where they’ll “haul out” – get out of the water to rest, escape predators, digest food, and warm up. Harbor Seals are the most common of three seal species that call Sandy Hook home – along with Harp Seals and Grey Seals.
Where can you see the Sandy Hook seals?
One common haul-out site is near Officer’s Row in Fort Hancock. It’s such a reliable haul-out site that the NPS even has “seal parking” signage to direct people.
When is the best time to see the seals?
To avoid the harsh winter further north, the seals visit Sandy Hook from November through March. They “haul out” at low tide when rocks are exposed, so be there within an hour or two of low tide. There’s no guarantee they’ll be there on any particular day, but since they’re hauling out partly to warm up, they’re more likely to be out when the weather is milder and not windy.
If the seals are there, you likely won’t be alone. This is a well-known seal-viewing spot.
If you are going to watch the seals, it’s important to understand that your presence can have a negative impact on seals, who are less confident on land and can be easily stressed. When that happens, they may return to the water and miss the opportunity to haul out, which seals need to warm up, avoid predators, digest, and heal wounds. That’s why it’s critical to follow these guidelines.
Seal Watching Guidelines
- Always keep at least a 50-yard or 150-foot distance
- Remain quiet and do not make sudden or quick movements
- Use binoculars to get a closer look
- Limit your viewing time to 30 minutes or less
- Keep dogs away
- Never attempt to take a selfie with a seal
- Signs that seals are agitated: they look directly at you, begin vocalizing, wave flippers, increase yawning, or make a hurried entry into the water. These signs tell you to move away now. Retreat slowly from the area
- Never attempt to touch, feed, or harass the seals – This is against the law as seals are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act
