If you don't care that they are sea lions and not seals, the sea lion docks right next to the Clearwater Restaurant in Newport is the closest you will get to them.

Oregon Coast Aquarium in newport also has seals and eal lions, but in captivity.

The Sea Lion Caves just north of Florence is another must stop for seal/sea lion affectionados. You will see a ton, but from a distance.

Go to Taft. Head out to the beach. Look across the water. They'll be living their best fat seal life on that beach across the way.

If you're also interested in sea lions, which I honestly don't know what the difference is, there's plenty of those in Newport. They just pile up on the docks and honk at each other. It's hilarious.

There's always seals hanging out in the bay and under the bridge in Depoe Bay.

The seals at the aquarium are in an outdoor enclosure before you enter the building so you can always see them for free if you need a seal fix

I’m 45 years old, and I’ve been here my entire life. Whoever told you that is full of shit, straight up. Several weeks ago when there was one on the beach at the oceanfront, that’s the only time in my life I remember hearing about a seal here. When that happened, the aquarium had staff out there keeping everyone away, so even if we had them, you wouldn’t just be able to walk up and check them out.

Is someone confusing dolphins with seals? That's the only way I can make any sense here...

usually all the bars on Shore Dr…

I've never seen any wild seals here, only the occasional otter. They have seals at the aquarium, though

In Lincoln city next to Mo's you can see them across the Siletz bay. If you want to get really close it's a 5 mile hike from the opposite side through a gated community. Be careful I think it's a 5k fine if you disturb them. They do play in the water close at the end of the bay. I've seen them playing 5 to 10 feet from the side you can drive to.

There are always harbor seals on the off shore rocks at Strawberry Hill.

Sea Lion Caves? 😂

Newport docks

In the Coos Bay area there is Simpson Reef. Sea Lions, harbor seals and Elephant seals. Easliy viewed from a look out, but a safe distance. Take your binoculars.

Thanks for the responses so far. Just want to add that he knows not to try to disturb or feed them or anything. He’s very, very protective of them and knows more about the rules—written and otherwise—regarding them than my spouse and I do. He recites the facts constantly!

Yeah they will abandon their pups if they get scared. They do play in the water and will come up to you if they think you are fishing... lazy buggers.

I'd prefer it if you left them alone. The last thing they need is another human disturbing their peace/environment.

https://www.zsl.org/conservation/regions/uk-europe/thames-marine-mammal-conservation

be sure to read their guidance and ZSL Code of conduct on how to behave around them to not disturb them.

If you're on the eastern side of the island or have time, Point Aconi lighthouse is pretty active, its not uncommon to see 10+ in the waters

Isn’t there an island within the island that’s literally called seal island?

Usually seals on bird island. There is Bird Island Boat Tours in Big Bras D’Or & Donalda’s in Englishtown

Take a bird island “puffin” boat tour. There won’t be many puffins left around, but there will be so many seals

My boy is visiting his grandparents and just saw one over at Dominion beach yesterday. I was told where there’s sharks there are seals, so that might help to find some.

I like going to Jones beach, field 10. Park there and walk west down the beach. Bring binoculars, sometimes they get close to shore and sometimes they just hangout in the water swimming and eating.

Still a month or so off of peak season on long island, but my favorite 2 spots are the Montauk Seal Haul out trail out North of Camp Hero and on the north side of Cupsogue Beach in the Hamptons.

I’ve seen plenty around Jones since mid-November. Montauk and off the north fork you’ll generally find the most, but still plenty to be seen on the rest of LI.

OK I feel like an idiot - I didn't know you could actually find seals on long island.

And then I’ll go to your mom’s house to see a whale, right?

Are these grey or harbour seals? Amazing pics OP. I have seen otters further along the done around the bridge that goes from grandholm to tillydrone

Cute as anything. I love seals.

You spotted them? I'd been wondering how they got spots.

Beautiful pics!

I think it’s the same one , in multiple locations lol.

Can I ask where?! I wanna see a seal in real life so bad!!

That's awesome! I love seeing seals in the wild

Did you see any banana poses? 🦭

Very nice! Congrats!

I got to do this a few months ago too on a holiday to Cornwall! I’d done the same trip before (it was specifically a seal hunting trip) but only saw dolphins and puffins, we do it this time and get too see Seals, Dolphins, Puffins and even a Whale! Definitely a highlight of last year!

la jolla beach in cali during june has quite a few

A location would be useful here, even a broad one.

There's harbor seals on the western/northwestern European coast.

Fair warning - they’re smelly irl

Here are some aquariums in the US that offer seal encounters!

• Aquarium of the Pacific (Long Beach, CA)
• Georgia Aquarium (Atlanta, GA)
• Aquarium of Niagara (Niagara Falls, NY)
• Gulf World Marine Park (Panama City Beach, FL)
• New England Aquarium (Boston, MA)
• Long Island Aquarium (Riverhead, NY)
• Mystic Aquarium (Mystic, CT)