Seal Watching & Wildlife Guide

Seals of Nantucket

Two seal species call Nantucket's waters home: grey seals and harbor seals. The grey seal population has exploded in recent decades - what was once a rare sighting is now an almost-guaranteed experience if you know where and when to look. These magnificent animals haul out on sandbars and beaches, particularly around Great Point and the outlying shoals.

Grey Seals vs. Harbor Seals

Grey seals are the larger of the two species, with males reaching up to 8 feet long and 800 pounds. You'll recognize them by their distinctive horse-like heads and larger, more prominent snouts. Harbor seals are smaller and more dog-faced, typically 5-6 feet long. Both species are curious and may approach boats, though they're more wary on land.

The best time to see seals is winter and early spring (December through April), when populations peak around Nantucket. During pupping season in late winter, you might spot mothers with their white-coated pups on remote beaches. Summer sightings are still possible, though seals disperse more widely in warmer months.

Best Seal Watching Locations

Great Point

Access: 4WD vehicle, guided tour, or long hike
Best time: Year-round, peak winter/spring

The sandbars and shoals around Great Point Lighthouse host the island's most reliable seal haul-outs. On a good day, you'll see dozens of seals lounging on exposed sand. The point where Nantucket Sound meets the Atlantic creates ideal conditions - plenty of fish, protected shallows, and minimal human disturbance. If you're driving out with a 4WD permit, go at low tide and scan the water's edge carefully. The seals blend in better than you'd expect.

Muskeget Island

Access: Boat tour only
Best time: Winter pupping season (Dec-Feb)

This uninhabited island west of Nantucket hosts the largest grey seal breeding colony in the eastern United States. Thousands of seals gather here during pupping season - it's one of those wildlife spectacles that puts Nantucket on the map for serious nature enthusiasts. Specialty charter boats run seal-watching trips to Muskeget when conditions allow. The water can be rough, and trips depend entirely on weather, but if you're lucky enough to go, you'll witness something remarkable.

Nantucket Harbor

Access: Easy - waterfront areas
Best time: Year-round

Don't overlook the harbor itself. Seals regularly swim into the harbor following fish, and sightings from the wharves or Brant Point are more common than most visitors realize. Keep your eyes on the water during a waterfront dinner or from Brant Point - that curious head popping up might not be what you expect.

Coatue

Access: Boat or 4WD
Best time: Year-round

The long barrier beach of Coatue offers opportunities to see seals from shore, particularly near the tip where it curves toward Great Point. The calm harbor side provides good visibility, and seals frequently fish in these waters.

Seal Watching Tours

While land-based viewing is possible, the most rewarding seal experiences come from the water. Several operators run dedicated seal-watching trips, particularly during winter and early spring.

What to Expect on a Boat Tour

A typical seal-watching excursion runs 2-3 hours. Boats head to known haul-out locations, maintaining a respectful distance while giving passengers excellent views. Seals are naturally curious, and it's common for them to approach the boat on their own terms - those close encounters are unforgettable.

Winter tours require dressing warmly in layers. The water is significantly colder than air temperatures suggest, and wind makes it feel colder still. Good operators provide some shelter on the boat, but expect to be outside for the best views. Motion sickness can be an issue - take precautions if you're susceptible.

Charter Options

• Shearwater Excursions - Dedicated wildlife tours, naturalist guides
• Nantucket Island Tours - Combination seal and lighthouse trips
• Private fishing charters - Many captains will customize trips for wildlife viewing

Book in advance, especially for winter Muskeget trips. Weather cancellations are common, so build flexibility into your schedule.

Birding on Nantucket

If you're lucky enough to be on Nantucket during fall migration, you'll witness one of nature's great spectacles. The island sits directly on the Atlantic Flyway, and from late August through October, millions of birds pass through or stop to refuel. Over 340 species have been documented on this small island - a remarkable number that draws birders from around the world.

Shorebirds: The Stars of Migration

The mudflats and tidal areas of Nantucket become cafeterias for exhausted shorebirds during migration. Sandpipers, plovers, yellowlegs, and turnstones probe the sand and mud with metronomic precision, fueling up for journeys that seem impossible for such small bodies. Some of these birds will fly nonstop from Nantucket to South America - 3,000 miles without rest. Stand quietly, watch them feed, and you're witnessing athletes preparing for the world's most demanding marathon.

Top Birding Locations

Eel Point

Best for: Shorebirds, terns, herons
Best time: Low tide, Aug-Oct for migration

The tidal flats at Eel Point are arguably the best shorebird habitat on the island. At low tide, acres of exposed sand and mud attract feeding flocks that can number in the thousands. Bring a scope if you have one - the birds can be distant, but the variety is exceptional.

Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge

Best for: Nesting terns, ospreys, shorebirds, seabirds
Best time: Year-round

This remote wilderness area hosts nesting colonies of endangered terns and piping plovers. Areas are seasonally closed to protect nesting birds, but the accessible portions offer excellent viewing. The osprey platforms along the way are reliably active from spring through early fall.

Sanford Farm

Best for: Songbirds, raptors, meadow birds
Best time: Spring and fall migration

The diverse habitats of Sanford Farm - moors, forests, meadows, and coastal areas - attract a wide variety of species. During fall migration, warblers move through the scrub, and northern harriers hunt the open fields. It's a lovely walk regardless of what you see, but bring binoculars and you'll see more.

Nantucket Harbor

Best for: Waterfowl, loons, grebes, sea ducks
Best time: Winter

Winter transforms Nantucket Harbor into a haven for waterfowl. Scan from Children's Beach or the wharves for eiders, buffleheads, goldeneyes, and the occasional scoter. Red-throated loons are common, and you might spot a seal among the ducks.

Other Wildlife to Watch For

White-Tailed Deer

Nantucket's deer population is substantial - some would say too substantial. You'll see them at dawn and dusk along roadsides and trails, particularly near Sanford Farm and in the moors. They're habituated to humans and relatively easy to observe, though always keep a respectful distance.

Ospreys

These magnificent fish hawks nest on platforms throughout the island. Watch for them hovering over the harbor and salt ponds before diving feet-first after fish. The nest platforms along Polpis Road are particularly active from April through August. Watching an osprey return to its nest with a still-wriggling fish is a thrill every time.

Rabbits

Eastern cottontails are everywhere on Nantucket - you'll see them on lawns, along trails, and hopping through the moors. They're most active at dawn and dusk but can be spotted anytime.

Whales

While dedicated whale-watching trips typically depart from the mainland to Stellwagen Bank, humpback whales, fin whales, and minke whales are occasionally spotted from Nantucket's shores or during fishing trips. Sightings are unpredictable but worth watching for - that distant spout never gets old.

Marine Life

Beyond seals and whales, Nantucket's waters host diverse marine life. Harbor porpoises are relatively common, particularly in spring and fall. Sunfish (mola mola) appear in late summer, looking like something from another planet. And the underwater world accessible by snorkeling includes crabs, starfish, and countless fish species.

Responsible Wildlife Viewing

The animals that make Nantucket special depend on our respect. Watching wildlife should be just that - watching, not disturbing. Here's how to enjoy ethical wildlife encounters:

Guidelines for All Wildlife

• Keep your distance - Use binoculars or a telephoto lens rather than approaching. If an animal changes its behavior because of you, you're too close.
• Stay on trails - Many areas are closed seasonally to protect nesting birds. Respect the closures; they exist because disturbance can cause nest abandonment.
• Never feed wildlife - It habituates animals to humans and can make them sick or dependent.
• Keep dogs leashed - Even well-behaved dogs can disturb wildlife, particularly ground-nesting birds.
• Observe quietly - Loud noises and sudden movements stress animals. Move slowly, speak softly, and be patient.

Seal-Specific Guidelines

Seals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Federal law requires staying at least 150 feet away from hauled-out seals. This isn't just legal compliance - seals that are repeatedly disturbed may abandon preferred sites, and flushing mothers from pups can be fatal for young seals.

On boat tours, reputable operators maintain appropriate distances. If seals choose to approach the boat, that's their decision - let them set the terms of the encounter.

Nesting Bird Protection

Nantucket hosts significant nesting populations of endangered terns and piping plovers. Beach closures during nesting season (April-August) protect these vulnerable species. The closures can be frustrating, but they work - Nantucket's piping plover population has recovered significantly thanks to protection efforts. Walk around closed areas and enjoy the birds from a distance.

Wildlife Photography Tips

Nantucket offers outstanding opportunities for wildlife photography, but capturing great images requires preparation and patience.

Equipment

• Telephoto lens - A 200-400mm lens is ideal. Longer is better for wildlife, but weight becomes an issue.
• Tripod or monopod - Essential for sharp images at long focal lengths, especially in low light.
• Weather protection - Salt spray and sand are murder on cameras. Bring a protective cover or at least a plastic bag.
• Extra batteries - Cold weather drains batteries quickly. Keep spares warm in your pocket.

Technique

• Golden hours - Early morning and late afternoon light transforms wildlife photos. The warm light is flattering, and animals are often more active.
• Eye level - Get down to the animal's level when possible. Images shot from above rarely have the same impact.
• Patience - The best wildlife photos come from waiting for natural behavior, not from rushing in for a quick shot.
• Respect first - No photograph is worth stressing an animal. If you can't get the shot ethically, let it go.

Best Spots for Photography

• Great Point - Seal haul-outs, shorebirds, lighthouse backdrop
• Eel Point - Shorebird concentrations, tide pool details
• Polpis Road osprey platforms - Active nests from April-August
• Sanford Farm at sunset - Deer in golden light, raptors hunting