Sea lion · United States
Where to see sea lions in the United States
About this list
A common trap when looking for places to see sea lions in the United States is a trip sold as if the sighting were certain. Maptlantis lists only operators that name the sea lion as a target species, 4 of them. Places that only mention a chance sighting are left out. Regions on record: Alaska & Seward, Monterey Bay & Fisherman's Wharf, Orange County & Dana Point and San Diego & Mission Bay. Encounters are split into boat-based watching, scuba diving and snorkeling. Two "sea lion tours" can differ completely in rules and price when one watches from the boat and the other puts you in the water. All 4 operators on this list publish prices on their own channels, so you can compare them directly. Estimated prices are not shown. The 2 operators that state a season for sea lion programs in the United States cluster in Feb–May, Sep–Dec. That is the operators' operating period, not a promise that the animals will appear. No operator can guarantee a wildlife sighting, and rules on approach distance and in-water permits differ by country.
Sea lion season in the United States
Feb–May, Sep–Dec
- JanJanuary: not in season
- FebFebruary: in season
- MarMarch: in season
- AprApril: in season
- MayMay: in season
- JunJune: not in season
- JulJuly: not in season
- AugAugust: not in season
- SepSeptember: in season
- OctOctober: in season
- NovNovember: in season
- DecDecember: in season
The months 2 operators state as their program season, combined. That is the operators' operating period, not a sighting guarantee; each operator's months are in the sea lion season table.
4 listed operators
United States · Alaska & Seward
Major Marine Tours
Island hopping & boat tripsFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- Mar–Oct
- Price
- Adults USD 149 / person
- Checked
- Official source
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United States · Monterey Bay & Fisherman's Wharf
Monterey Bay Whale Watch
Marine life encounters- Season
- Year-round
- Price
- Adults from USD 76.32
- Checked
- Official source
United States · Orange County & Dana Point
Ocean Institute
Island hopping & boat tripsFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- Dec
- Price
- Ages 3+ USD 40 / person
- Checked
- Official source
United States · San Diego & Mission Bay
Waterhorse Charters
Scuba divingSnorkelingMarine life encounters- Season
- Feb–May, Sep–Dec
- Price
- See the operator page
- Checked
- Official source
Sea lion season
Sea lions in other countries
Other marine life in the United States
Activities in the United States
- Scuba diving in the United States186
- Island hopping and boat trips in the United States55
- Snorkeling in the United States42
- Family water activities in the United States15
- Freediving in the United States15
- Marine life encounters in the United States12
- Surfing and SUP in the United States10
- Liveaboards in the United States5
- Beaches and water play in the United States3
Frequently asked questions
Where can you see sea lions in the United States?
4 operators name the sea lion as a target species. Main regions: Alaska & Seward, Monterey Bay & Fisherman's Wharf, Orange County & Dana Point and San Diego & Mission Bay.
Do you have to get in the water to see sea lions?
Formats on record: boat-based watching, scuba diving and snorkeling. Boat-based watching stays on the boat; snorkeling, swimming and freediving put you in the water. Some countries ban getting in the water altogether, so check the format in the program details.
When is sea lion season?
The 2 operators that state a season for sea lion programs in the United States cluster in Feb–May, Sep–Dec. That is the operators' operating period, not a promise that the animals will appear.
Will I definitely see them?
No. Sea lions are wild animals, and whether you meet them depends on their movements and the sea. Maptlantis does not use wording that promises a sighting, and cancellation and refund terms follow each operator's policy.