Winter in Coastal Delaware brings a special kind of visitor — seals! As temperatures drop, seals migrate south from the colder northern waters to rest along the Delaware Bay after feasting on fish, shellfish, and crustaceans. Watching these incredible marine mammals bask on breakwaters or pop their heads above the waves is an unforgettable experience. Here’s everything you need to know about seal watching in Coastal Delaware this winter.
Meet the Seals of Delaware Bay
The Delaware Bay is home to three types of seals during the winter months:
- Gray Seals: These impressive creatures can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh 800 pounds. While adults are gray, their pups are born with white fur.
- Harp Seals: Measuring 5-6 feet long and weighing up to 300 pounds, harp seals migrate toward the Arctic during the summer but winter in Delaware Bay.
- Harbor Seals: These smaller seals are about 6 feet long and weigh around 200 pounds. They often spend time on land and are known to give birth during the spring and summer months.
Seals come ashore to rest after feeding, making the colder months an ideal time to spot them in their natural habitat.
Seal Watching Tours in Coastal Delaware
One of the best ways to enjoy seal watching is through a guided tour. Cape Water Tours offers two options for observing these marine mammals:
- Non-Narrated Tour: A peaceful 1.5-hour cruise where you can spot seals resting on breakwater walls or swimming in the bay. Bring your binoculars and camera for great views!
- Narrated Tour with MERR Institute: Learn fascinating details about harbor and gray seals, their habits, and their migration patterns as you cruise through the bay. This educational experience is perfect for nature enthusiasts.
Tours typically run from December through April, weather permitting. Be sure to bundle up and come prepared for an exciting day on the water!
Spot Seals While On The Ferry
For a more casual seal-watching experience, hop on the Cape May–Lewes Ferry. While not a guided tour, this scenic ferry ride offers stunning 360-degree views of the Delaware Bay, and passengers often spot seals during the winter months. The ferry crew is always on the lookout for marine life and will announce sightings over the loudspeaker, letting passengers know where to look.
If you’re lucky, the captain might even slow down or take a slight detour for a better view of the wildlife, making your ferry ride a memorable part of your coastal adventure. Whether you’re traveling for the stunning views, local sea life, or just the joy of being out on the water, the ferry ride adds an extra layer of excitement to any winter day in Delaware.
Seal Watching Safety: Respect Wildlife
Seal watching offers a rare and captivating look into the lives of these incredible marine animals while underscoring the importance of conservation. The Delaware-based MERR Institute (Marine Education, Research, and Rehabilitation) works tirelessly to protect seals and other marine life — and we all play a part in keeping them safe.
Seals often come ashore (or “haul out”) to rest, and it’s essential to give them plenty of space. Stay at least 150 feet away and keep dogs leashed to prevent unnecessary stress or disturbance. Boaters and seal tour vessels must also respect this distance, as mandated by the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Avoid approaching, feeding, or interacting with seals — these actions can cause harm, forcing the animals back into the water prematurely, which may lead to exhaustion or drowning. Keep in mind that seals are wild animals: they can bite if they feel threatened and may transmit diseases through direct contact.
If you spot a seal, report it to the MERR Institute’s 24-hour hotline at (302) 228-5029. Their trained specialists will evaluate the seal for injury or illness and provide rescue if necessary.
Enjoy Outdoor Activities Year-round When You Live in a Foxlane Home
Seal watching is one of the many outdoor activities that Coastal Delaware has to offer. And when you call one of our neighborhoods home — including The Knoll at Irons Lane, East Gate, and Suncrest — you can enjoy them all year round. Schedule your tour now to learn more about these incredible homes and neighborhoods today!