California · 2005—2026
Northern elephant and harbour seals
Seals around California.
Follow public seal observations from California. Browse published records, explore the places and stories behind them, or share an encounter with the Seal Watch team.
- Total reports
- 54
- Latest observation
Public reports · newest first
Public records archive
3 February 2017—23 August 2026
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Explore by area
All areasThe overview shows the full California outline and enlarged coastal views for matching reports. Numbered markers represent broad named areas, never exact observation locations. Select an area to filter the archive. The Farallon Islands marker is offshore; small islands may be absent from the outline.
53 of 54 reports shown in coastal views · 31 areas
Bay Area and Point Reyes
Monterey Bay and Point Lobos
Big Sur and Cambria
Los Angeles coast
Mapped areas North to south
San Diego coast
Other reported areas
No reliable point for this broad area. Its reports remain in the archive and filters.
Map: Natural Earth.
Reports over time
Select a year, then a month. Counts describe published reports; one animal may appear in several reports.
Grouped by each record’s archive date. Approximate dates keep their original labels in the records below.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified Sanctuary Cruises, Captain's Log
Observation: Harbor seals were reported inside the harbor in the day's account of Sanctuary's trips.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified Sanctuary Cruises, Captain's Log
Observation: A harbor seal was observed near returning sea lions as Sanctuary entered the harbor after its late-morning trip.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified Sanctuary Cruises, Captain's Log
Observation: Two harbor seals were observed nearer the harbor during Sanctuary's morning trip.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified Sanctuary Cruises, Captain's Log
Observation: Harbor seals were observed closer to the harbor during a morning trip in rough seas.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified Sanctuary Cruises, Captain's Log
Observation: The morning trip aboard Sanctuary recorded two harbor seals along the route.
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Date: 2026Reported: Unidentified Sanctuary Cruises, Captain's Log
Observation: Harbor seals were recorded during the morning trip aboard Sanctuary.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Kylie Marozsan / NOAA MBNMS — SIMoN Photo Library
Observation: Harbor seals were photographed resting on rocks and in the water near Monterey Harbor.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Jean DeMarignac / NOAA WCR — SIMoN Photo Library
Observation: A harbor seal was photographed swimming around divers at Hopkins Marine Life Refuge.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified Jean DeMarignac / NOAA WCR — SIMoN Photo Library
Observation: A young harbor seal was photographed swimming near divers at Hopkins Marine Life Refuge.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified C. Michael Hogan — iNaturalist (c_michael_hogan)
Observation: A harbor seal was photographed swimming in nearshore waters of Monterey Bay.