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 June—29 June

Reset filters

41 of 764 reports

Loading public records…

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.

41 of 41 reports mapped · 1 area

N ↑London · 41 reports1

Scroll the map sideways to explore the whole coast.

Mapped areas North to south

  1. London41 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. Opposite Oxo Towewr London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5749 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Head and upper chest area

  2. South Bank, near the National Theatre and Blackfriars London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5748 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Their backs/bodies and tops of heads swimming along, coming up at regular intervals to breathe Original location description: I saw at least 2 seals walking along South Bank this morning, one near National Theatre and the other (assuming it was a different one) along by Blackfriars. I dont know what kind of seal

  3. Between Blackfriars & Millennium Bridge London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5747 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Solitary seal swimming upstream against current (approaching low water) Leisurely pace. More often submerged than surfaced. Too far to ascertain type. Very dark (black) in colour. Observer notes: Poor quality pic, but back can be seen close to shore. Occasional surfacing, suggesting hunting behaviour?

  4. It was right next to the newly built section of the tideway tunnel. Saw it while walking the newly built area. London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5742 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: It was dark grey, and swimming towards canary wharf direction Observer notes: Awesome

  5. Mid-river, just downstream of butlers whatf London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5745 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: The animals back Observer notes: Seal broke the surface only briefly whilst swimming. Clear view from deck of boat. Didnt see head or tail though.

  6. Under putney bridge London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5746 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: It had a smooth dark grey head and was swimming

  7. Goodrington South Sands beach, near the car park and Inn on the Quay London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5744 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer reported a light grey seal with lighter markings on its head, seen close to shore at sunset. Only the head was visible; nostril shape, muzzle shape and size were uncertain. The animal surfaced repeatedly, exhaled audibly, submerged and was seen again from the beach about 5–10 minutes later. Original location description: Goodrington South sands beach in the water straight in front of the beach section closest to the car park, next to the dog friendly section and the Brewers Fayre Inn on the quay

  8. Dartford bridge London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5740 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Muzzle

  9. right after Fulham stadium London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5741 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: From a distance looked like a dog was swimming, but as we reached closer it was a playful seal diving for fish. No fins, just saw head and body as it was diving

  10. Next to Southbank Centre London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5737 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Long face. Grey in colour. Kept popping its head up every 15 minutes and then disappearing under the water again.

  11. In the middle of the river, next to Limehouse London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5739 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: The beak with a fish in its mouth Observer notes: Uber botas drive very fast around that area and pose a threat to these animals

  12. Saw the seal lying on the beach at low tide by Cheyne pier houseboats.. London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5735 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Moving around on the shore before being aware of me on the houseboat only a couple of meters away. Could hear loud breathing/snuffling from the seal.

  13. On the north side beach about 250 yards west of Battersea Bridge. Grey with black markings. London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5732 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Roman nose, light grey, white neck and black markings.

  14. In the middle of the Thames. Near Southwark Bridge in Central London. London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5734 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Grey head Observer notes: I just saw it very briefly. I didnt expect to see a seal in the river!

  15. In the Thames, off the pier at Cremore Gardens. London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5733 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Unsure of the specific type of seal, but it stuck its about out of the water.

  16. Location described in observation notes London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5731 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Kept putting its head up qucikly and diving, thought it could be a porpoise fin at first sighting. Surfaced like that about 7 times between first sighting and the bridge. Observer notes: The tide was going out and it was a pleasant evening. I noted to a ouple walking by that there was a seal and it should pop up just over there probably about its 5th surface. And it did and we were cheerful. Tide was going out, and it did some swirls just below the surface shortly after the pier. Original location description: First spotted at marker. Then every 10yrds or so put its head up above the surface followed along embankment to Vauxhall Bridge where it swam under the first arch

  17. In Thames by Chelsea Harbour London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5750 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Big muzzle swimming around for ten mins then headed downstream

  18. Crossing Battersea Bridge, a light bellied seal went to the shore to sunbathe. London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5730 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Light coloured belly

  19. By woolwich arsenal pier, bobbing around in the water as the uber boat arrived. A real treat on my birthday! London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5736 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Dark grey smooth rounded head, big eyes, dark grey body

  20. very close to southwark bridge London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5729 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: just head above water then dived down to remerge further up stream towards millennium bridge

  21. Under the millennium bridge London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5727 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: It was bobbing up and down in the water looking around and had a spotty grey face/neck, after a few minutes it dived and we didn’t spot where it came up Observer notes: He was bobbing watching the folks on the bridge. So a cross between swinmming and interacting really. We didn’t see which way he was going as despite looking for ages, when he dived we didn’t see him again

  22. Swimming eastwards towards Waterloo Bridge, adjacent to the Southbank Skate Space London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5726 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Blackish-grey, appeared to be male. Head popped up twice before it disappeared underneath the water again.

  23. Before Blackfriars bridge London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5728 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: whole body, popping it’s head up then it’s body and flippers going up and back down as it swam east. Observer notes: Seal popping it’s head up and going back under repeatedly as we walked along the river, popped up two more times and last saw it under Blackfriars bridge.

  24. Below Hammersmith bridge London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5725 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: I saw the full body of the seal as he makes surface juste below the bridge and swap with the current in the direction of Putney bridge

  25. Princes stairs, and near Angel pub London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5724 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Saw head peaking out, then a bit of neck and back as it was diving. Repeat multiple times in slightly different spots around same area

  26. Putney rail bridge London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5723 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Saw face above water and then it dived down into water. Clear view from bridge

  27. By the banks on the south side just after the bridge London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5722 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Full animal, moving it’s head every now and then

  28. Crossness pumping station London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5721 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Blackish grey in colour Muzzle pointing out of the water Smooth and dark back arched as the seal dived

  29. Just after going under Tower Bridge towards Greenwich on the Thames Clipper London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5738 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: The animal looked just like the seals in cornwall. It was bobbing up and down and then swam and dived away.

  30. Just west of Tower Bridge, near the middle of the Thames. London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5720 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: White line on the side of its head. Long muzzle.

  31. Spotted from the Uber boat next to the uber boat pier under Waterloo Bridge London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5718 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: The seal was swimming with its head above the water before flicking its tail up and swimming away as the boat we were on started to move Observer notes: Saw a tiktok about this website a year ago so have kept my eye out since

  32. Temple boat London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5719 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Swimming

  33. Royal festival hall London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5716 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Head swimming in west direction

  34. In the Thames with a fish in his/her mouth London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5715 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Going in and out of the water with a fish in his/her mouth. Seagulls were following but he/she was able to escape. Kept going until the Uber boat stop in Canary Wharf and then I lost track of

  35. Under the Tower Bridge London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5717 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: We stood on the Tower Bridge and saw the seal directly. The seals head was over the surface for about 30 seconds. The seals head was dark-brown with a longer snout (like a grey seal?). Maybe it was there to take a short breath and it looked around. After that the seal submerged and swam away.

  36. Near the Uber Boat dock London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5714 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: I saw the seal pop its head above the water twice. Unsure which species though as I was on Southwark bridge and couldn’t make it out

  37. By Wandsworth Bridge in the middle of the river London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5712 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: It was almost black so looked more like a sea lion as a slimmer muzzle. I thought just something floating, then its head pooped up and it was looking round at some canoeists and then dived under.

  38. Next to the golden jubilee boat London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5713 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Grey seal’s head bobbing about in the water going in and out the water

  39. At the end of the Chelsea Houseboats, near Cremourne Gardens. London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5710 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Grey muzzle above the water.

  40. near Silverfleet docks London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5711 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: head and back. Diving twice moving down river

  41. dead seal in greenhithe London
    Unidentified ZSL Thames Marine Mammal Survey, report 5707 — https://sites.zsl.org/inthethames/main/

    Observer description: Dead seal with a missing head