Sea Lions and Seals and Whales, Oh My!

Marine Life Marvels in Puget Sound

The area around Puget Sound offers more than just beautiful waterfront views and charming beach parks—it's also a destination for observing the incredible marine life that passes through these waters.

From sweet-looking seals to majestic whales to tiny octopuses, there's a whole fascinating world of ocean life right under our noses. Knowing what to look for (and when) can reward you with unforgettable sightings. Here’s your guide to some of the diverse marine life of Seattle Southside.

Where to See Marine Life
Seals + Sea Lions
River Otters
Whales
Underwater Wonders

Where to See Puget Sound Marine Life

You don’t have to drive all the way to the San Juan Islands to experience the wonder of the ocean. Along the coast of Seattle Southside is a string of lesser-known beaches perfect for exploring the incredible creatures living in and near the water. Des Moines Beach Park has a festive, beach-town vibe, while Saltwater State Park is equally beautiful and a bit more rugged. A little further down the coast, Redondo Beach boasts a long boardwalk and the incredible MaST Center Aquarium (more on that below).

See Ocean Creatures Up Close

If you're curious about what lurks under the waters, one of the best places to learn about ocean life is the MaST Center Aquarium, which houses more than 250 species of marine creatures native to the region. Seawater flows directly into the facility from Puget Sound, bringing with it a world of marine life.

Visit on free Discovery Days (Saturdays) to see and even touch these fascinating critters. Watch mesmerizing jellyfish circle a tank at eye-level, gently run your finger along colorful anemones in the touch tanks, marvel at colorful sea stars, peep a tiny Giant Pacific Octopus, and greet a 6-foot-long wolf eel. Knowledgeable staff and volunteers can help explain what you're seeing.

Pinnipeds (Seals & Sea Lions)

Pinnipeds—marine mammals like sea lions and harbor seals—are a delightful sight in Seattle Southside’s coastal waters. You might spot harbor seals splashing in the water, or see sleek sea lions barking from floating docks or swimming just offshore. These charismatic creatures feast on local fish, which draw them here from both the north and south.

Harbor Seals: Coastal Regulars in Seattle Southside

Harbor seals spend most of their lives feeding near the ocean's surface, so you can sometimes spot their smooth, round heads bobbing above water. But when they want to, these skilled hunters can dive as deep as 500 meters (the length of a skyscraper!) as their bodies have special adaptations to withstand the pressure. With big brown eyes and long whiskers, they're some of the cutest marine mammals. (Fun fact: bears are thought to be their closest relatives!) But if you see one, resist the urge to go near it.

Credit: SR3 Sealife Response, Rehab, and Research

What to Do if You See a Baby Seal on the Beach

You might spot seal pups resting alone on the beach from late spring through summer. If you do, it's extremely important to give them space so their mothers won't abandon them. Being prey (as well as predators), seals are very skittish and afraid of people, so if they see humans near their pups, there’s a good chance they’ll leave them behind.

  • Keep your distance. Stay at least 100 yards away, and encourage others to do the same. Keep dogs far from the animal.
  • Don’t touch, feed, or try to help. Human interaction can cause stress and may lead the mother to abandon the pup.
  • Report the sighting. Call the stranding hotline at (206) 724-2687 to report your location.

“Sometimes people will think they’re far enough away, so they’ll sit on a log to watch the pup, but they’re not actually far enough,” says Casey Mclean, Executive Director of SR3 Sealife Rehab + Response + Research. "The pup’s mother is never going to come back until people leave the area. She will abandon the pup really quickly.”

By observing from afar, you’re playing a part in their safe and healthy return to the sea.

Pictured: SR3 Sealife Response, Rehab, and Research

Elephant Seals: A Conservation Comeback

Once thought nearly extinct due to overhunting, elephant seals are slowly returning to Puget Sound—thanks to the protections of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. These massive, gray creatures may look alarming, as they often lie motionless, snorting and wheezing (almost like a giant pug). Their molting process—where they shed the entire top layer of skin—can be messy and startling, but it’s completely natural. As a result of their strange behavior and appearance, people sometimes mistake them for being in distress when they’re not. As with any wild animal, give it plenty of space and don't feed it!

Fun Fact: Elephant seals breed in California, but growing numbers are venturing north. Their return is a remarkable conservation success story.

Sea Lions: Loud, Spirited Swimmers

It's not uncommon to see (or hear) massive sea lions in the water. Steller sea lions come to Puget Sound to feed on our abundant fish between fall and spring, then head north to Alaska or Canada to breed during the summer. California sea lions also come to this region to feed during this time, then travel south during the summer to breed in California waters. These marine mammals can reach impressive sizes—male California sea lions grow up to 8 feet long and weigh over 800 pounds, while the larger Steller sea lions can top 11 feet and exceed 2,000 pounds. Visitors strolling along the piers might hear their distinctive barks or spot their sleek, dark forms gliding just offshore. One local artist, renowned glass sculptor George C. Scott, was so moved by the sight of a sea lion battling an octopus just off the Des Moines Marina that it inspired him to create a piece of public art, which he titled Octavia.

River Otters

If you see an otter on our beaches, you might assume it's a sea otter. In fact, Puget Sound is mainly home to river otters.

These furry creatures are two to three times smaller than sea otters, with long, pointed tails, and they swim on their tummies rather than their backs. While sea otters spend most of their lives in water, river otters spend a lot of time on land. That's why it's not uncommon to see them on Seattle Southside beaches searching for crabs, mussels, and other tasty morsels.

Whales: Rare but Magical Sights

You might be surprised to learn you can see whales from the beaches in Seattle Southside. Redondo Beach is an official stop along the Whale Trail, a series of sites to view marine mammals along the Pacific coast shore that stretches from British Columbia down to Southern California. You’ll notice interpretive signs at the beaches that share information about which whales you can see. Granted, these giants may appear very small from the shore (binoculars help a lot), but if you’re patient and lucky, you just might spot a group of fins, or a plume of water as a whale exhales. Those who work and live on the shore see quite a few over the course of a year.

Playful Porpoises: Spring Speedsters

Imagine kayaking on Puget Sound and suddenly realizing you’re surrounded by hundreds of small, gray porpoise fins. That’s exactly what happened to Mclean.

Harbor porpoises are among the most common marine mammals in the area—and also some of the hardest to spot. You can see them year-round, but large groups gather in spring as they chase the influx of small forage fish migrating through the region. These small, sleek creatures reach only about five feet long and are marked by a tiny dorsal fin. Their elusive nature means you'll need a trained eye to catch them, especially since they move swiftly and only surface briefly.

Gray Whales: Spring Travelers

Each spring, gray whales make a stopover in Puget Sound during their epic migration from the warm lagoons of Baja California to the rich Arctic feeding grounds. This journey can span up to 12,000 miles round trip, making it one of the longest migrations of any mammal on Earth. Gray whales are massive, typically measuring 40 to 50 feet long and weighing up to 90,000 pounds—about the size of a school bus and as heavy as a dozen elephants. Despite their bulk, they prefer the smallest food, using their baleen plates to filter out tiny invertebrates from the mud.

Humpback Whales: Summer Spectacles

Each summer, humpback whales return to the waters of Puget Sound. These giants can grow up to 60 feet long and weigh as much as 40 tons, with tail flukes spanning up to 18 feet—an unforgettable sight when they dive. In the Pacific Northwest, humpbacks come to feed on herring and krill, sometimes using dramatic techniques like bubble-net feeding. You'll often spot their tall, straight spouts before they surface or catch a glimpse of their flukes as they dive. While some migrate from breeding grounds in Hawaii or Mexico, a few have been spotted more regularly in local waters—part of a growing return thanks to decades of conservation efforts. Keep your eyes on the Sound during summer; their next surface might be just offshore.

Orcas: The Fall Celebrities

We love Orcas in the PNW, and they’ve been seen throughout the Puget Sound. There are two types of Orcas in our waters:

Southern Residents: Comprising roughly 73 individuals across three pods (J, K, and L), these orcas are typically spotted around October and November when they follow Chum salmon through the Sound. They can sometimes be seen cruising past Des Moines and Redondo Beach, though their winter whereabouts remain a mystery.

Transient Orcas: Unlike residents, transients can be seen year-round and hunt marine mammals instead of fish. Their stealth and speed mean you’ll need quick reflexes to catch them—they often pass within just 30 seconds!

Tip: Several local Facebook groups regularly share real-time orca sightings and tips on where to watch them from shore. Check out Orca Network Community Group and Puget Sound Whale Sightings.

Dive to Underwater Wonders

If you can brave the cold, scuba diving in Seattle Southside will open your eyes to even more aquatic animals. In the depths, you might catch a glimpse of a giant Pacific octopus tucked into the rocks, rockfish darting through kelp forests, kelp greenlings and lingcod gliding like underwater torpedoes, and a rainbow of nudibranchs crawling across the seabed. To get a sneak peek of what you can see down under, check out the submissions to the MaST Center’s annual Underwater Photography Challenge, which are all taken by divers at Redondo Beach.

Fun Fact: Des Moines is the sixgill shark capital of the world! Redondo Beach is one of the only places on Earth where people can see these non-aggressive sharks up close. While they usually stick to deep waters, Puget Sound is believed to be a nursery, so divers have seen them swim right past them.

Tip: Check out Eight Diving in Des Moines for gear rentals and more. You can also book a guided tour with Seattle Dive Tours at Redondo Beach or Saltwater State Park.

A Hub of Wildlife Research and Conservation

Seattle Southside is home to numerous organizations dedicated to protecting and researching local marine life.

SR3 Sealife Rehab + Response + Research: As the only facility in the Pacific Northwest dedicated exclusively to the rehabilitation and research of marine mammals, SR3 is filling what was formerly a long-standing gap in critical marine mammal response and care in the region.

The MaST Center Aquarium: Part of Highline College, this marine science and aquarium facility offers public exhibits, educational programs, and research opportunities focused on the marine life of Puget Sound.

You may also be interested in...

Q: What marine mammals live in Puget Sound?

Puget Sound is home to harbor seals, elephant seals, sea lions, otters, orcas, gray whales, humpback whales, and porpoises.

Q: Where can I see marine life near Seattle?

Top spots to view marine life in Puget Sound include Des Moines Beach Park, Saltwater State Park, Redondo Beach, and the MaST Center Aquarium.

Can you see whales in Seattle?

There are many places to see whales along the coast of Puget Sound, including in Seattle and Seattle Southside. Redondo Beach in Des Moines, WA, is part of The Whale Trail, offering seasonal whale sightings—especially gray whales in spring and orcas in fall.

What should I do if I see a baby seal on the beach?

Keep your distance (at least 100 yards), don’t touch or feed it, and report the sighting to the local marine mammal stranding hotline at (206) 724-2687.

Annie Atherton

Author

Annie Atherton

Senior Content Writer

Annie Atherton is the Senior Content Writer at Explore Seattle Southside. As a (mostly) lifelong resident of the Seattle area, she is very proud to call the region home and to talk it up to all who will listen.

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