seal.watch / uk

United Kingdom · 2000—2026

Grey and harbour seals

Seals around the United Kingdom.

Follow public seal observations from the United Kingdom. Browse published records, explore the places and stories behind them, or share an encounter with the Seal Watch team.

Meet the grey seal → · Meet the harbour seal →

Total reports
764
Latest observation

Public reports · newest first

Public records archive

1 April—30 April

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35 of 764 reports

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Explore by area

Markers represent named areas, never exact sighting positions. Circle size reflects report counts; numbers match the area list. Select an area to filter the archive.

35 of 35 reports mapped · 2 areas

N ↑London · 33 reports1Dorset, England · 2 reports2

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Mapped areas North to south

  1. London33 reports
  2. Dorset, England2 reports

Map: Natural Earth.

Reports over time

All dates

Select a year, then a month. Counts describe published reports; one animal may appear in several reports.

  1. 22000
  2. 42001
  3. 12002
  4. 12003
  5. 32005
  6. 22006
  7. 52007
  8. 12008
  9. 32009
  10. 92010
  11. 132011
  12. 72012
  13. 152013
  14. 82014
  15. 82015
  16. 92016
  17. 282017
  18. 212018
  19. 142019
  20. 212020
  21. 182021
  22. 152022
  23. 362023
  24. 302024
  25. 2482025
  26. 2422026

Months in 2026

  1. 9Jan
  2. 15Feb
  3. 52Mar
  4. 35Apr
  5. 26May
  6. 41Jun
  7. 24Jul
  8. 24Aug
  9. 16Sep
  10. 0Oct
  11. 0Nov
  12. 0Dec

Grouped by each record’s archive date. Approximate dates keep their original labels in the records below.

  1. The long sandbank between Pageant Steps and A&O Hostel London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5680 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: About a meter long. Red brownish rust colour. Sunbathing on the sandbank

  2. Westminster Bridge, swimming upstream London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5681 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Relaxed, swimming upstream, surfacing and looking around

  3. Rotherhithe Pier London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5678 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Orangey belly. Reddish neck.

  4. Thames path behind Wapping station London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5677 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Almost a leopard print pattern. Maybe 1.6m length. Seal was just laying on the beach of the Thames, occasionally shuffling

  5. Under Hungerford Bridge London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5675 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Spotted bottom as it dived.

  6. Chilling on the beach by the AO Hostel London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5676 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Grey with ginger fur, maybe about a meter long. Sleeping in the sun and sometimes shuffling around on the sand and occasionally changing position.

  7. On the beach nearby London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5674 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Chilling on the sand. I think they are alright but hard to tell

  8. Canary wharf pier London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5672 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Head and body, dark in colour Observer notes: Great to see, the Thames is thriving

  9. Between Barnes Bridge and the White Hart pub London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5673 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Brown and tan colouring

  10. Mendip Wharf, close to wandsworth bridge London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5679 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: head (see pictures)

  11. Crossing under Chiswick Bridge London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5667 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: We were on the bridge and a seal popped out of the water with a big fish in its mouth. It was getting carried away by the tide towards central London. It’s head kept going in and out of the water, maybe trying to eat the fish.

  12. On a small beach outside Columbia Wharf London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5668 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Reddish to dark brown fur with some dark spots on the sides

  13. The River Thames; Southbank, near 253 Rotherhithe Street London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5669 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: I saw a happy grey seal, including its dorsal surface and the head. Such a beautiful being. Observer notes: It was such an enjoyable experience to see the seal swimming near my home. It was a highlight of my day. I named her Gloria. At first, I thought it was a large piece of wood, but then I realised it was a seal. She seemed calm. Can you please confirm the seal is a grey seal as I may be wrong. Thank you

  14. Orient Wharf, Wapping London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5666 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: I saw the full body and head. It was quite large ( there was a childs large red rubber kick ball nearby and the seals head was similar in size. Observer notes: The seal hung out just floating about for quite a long time.

  15. On a walk from Richmond to Kew, on the Thames path just past Syon house. London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5663 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: I saw a seal diving into the water coming back up moments later with a fish! Dark seal with what seemed lots of wide marking and short whiskers.

  16. On the large sandbank. Opposite side of the river to Canary Wharf. London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5664 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Whole seal sunbathing and then moving up the sandbank.

  17. On the foreshore in rotherhithe by Pageant Crescent London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5662 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Golden brown belly, darker brown on the top leading to a grey brown towards the tail Observer notes: Ive watched the seal for about 20 minutes, the ride is on its way in and on two occasions as the water has got a bit nearer the seal has turned away from the water and moved circa 8 meters. It has then rested in the sun again, occasionally rubbing its head. It is lying with its head away from the sun. I have a video of it moving away from the water.

  18. By the slipway to Shadwell Basin London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5661 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Juveline seal, appeared fairly dark skin Observer notes: Juvenile Seal started following our kayaks a couple hundred metres downstream then popped up as we were heading to land at shadwell basin, kept popping up next to our kayaks to investigate us as we landed on the slipway.

  19. By tower bridge London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5659 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Dark brown

  20. Between the London eye and the golden jubilee bridges London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5658 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: We could see his head, and then he swam away and the disapppeared under the water Observer notes: I have a video if you would like it

  21. On the beach in front of the a&p London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5657 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Mottled brown with

  22. On the beach behind the hotel London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5655 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Ginger body

  23. On the beach next to Rotherhithe Pier London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5654 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Seal was lounging about on the beach at low tide sunning herself. She was orange and appeared to have almost red like marks by her flippers. Observer notes: Seal seemed very at home, relaxed and content. Didnt seem to want to get in the water and was moving away from the water as tide came in.

  24. On the small beach in front of the hotel London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5652 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Dark brown head, orange body, grey tail. Furry, possibly a pup Observer notes: Apparently the ferry people have seen this seal for 3 days straight

  25. In the river London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5649 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: I saw its head!

  26. Chilling on the beach next to the pier and hostel in Rotherhithe. London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5656 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: He/she had a brown-ish coat. They had a dog like face.

  27. Security Camera environment agency moorings Shepperton adj Shepperton Lock and Hamhaugh Island London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5653 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Its is on the video recording a big seal

  28. By the Rotherhithe pier. London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5646 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: We saw the whole animal, it was basking on the beach.

  29. Off Tilly Whim, Durlston Dorset, England
    Unidentified Durlston Country Park, Latest Sightings (2026 table) — https://www.durlston.co.uk/latest-sightings

    One Grey Seal was recorded off Tilly Whim. Grey seal · 1 seal

  30. On a small beach at low tide by the O2 arena. London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5643 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: The seal appeared to be sunbathing on the beach. It raised its head a few times while I was there so appeared ok. I didnt want to bother it so didnt stay to check it returned to water when tide rose. Observer notes: I hope the seal was ok. Have never seen one here before. It did raise its head a few times and looked to be resting/sunbathing.

  31. On the beach near the tide line. The tide was low London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5648 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Brown coloured seal laying in the sun. It rolled over and had a scratch while we watched it Observer notes: The photo is not the clearest but it was 100% seal who seemed happy sunbathing

  32. Near the entrance to Battersea Park, beyond the walkway from the Power Station London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5647 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: I saw the head and body of the seal, it looked fairly small. Observer notes: The seal looked like it was trying to get onto land but couldnt due to the weather/waves. Original location description: Near the entrance to Battersea Park, just after walk way from Power Station. The seal was in the water and looked like it was trying to get onto the bank but couldnt due to rough waters. The seal swam further down the river towards the direction of the park from the bank.

  33. It passed under the pedestrian bridge by all the house boats London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5641 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Dark spots on body, fairly small

  34. Near Free Trade Wharf London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5639 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Long snout, grey spots on the side, grey belly

  35. Off Tilly Whim, Durlston Dorset, England
    Unidentified Durlston Country Park, Latest Sightings (2026 table) — https://www.durlston.co.uk/latest-sightings

    Two seals were recorded off Tilly Whim. Species not recorded · 2 seals