Our 2026 tour season is over — tours return in May 2027
Gift certificates are good toward seal cruises, the beach shuttle and our shark, whale and fishing charters, and they never expire.
Chatham Seal Cruises on Cape Cod
See gray and harbor seals hauled out on the sandbars just minutes from our dock. Our one-hour narrated cruise stays right in Chatham Harbor—no long ride offshore—run by local captains who know exactly where the seals are on any tide.
Chatham Harbor Seal Cruise
Spend an easy hour on calm harbor water watching gray and harbor seals hauled out on the Chatham sandbars—narrated the whole way by a local captain, and just minutes from our dock at Outermost Harbor.
View all adventures › Questions? Message us in chat or call the marina for quick help with timing and tides.
What to Expect
- Seals right in the harbor — gray and harbor seals hauled out on the sandbars, up close.
- A one-hour narrated cruise — no long ride offshore, just calm water in Chatham Harbor.
- Local captains who run the harbor daily and know where the seals are on any tide.
- Easy boarding from the marina — a relaxed, family-friendly hour on the water.
Perfect For
FamiliesWildlife WatchingPhotographyBirdingFirst-Timers
Helpful Notes
- Departures are weather- and tide-dependent for safety.
- Please arrive 15 minutes before departure for boarding and a quick briefing.
- We keep a respectful, legal distance — the seals are wild and federally protected.
The Seals of Chatham Harbor
Chatham Harbor and its outer sandbars are a favorite haul-out for gray and harbor seals. At low tide you’ll see them up close on the bars — mostly gray seals (the big ones, with the long “horse-head” profile) alongside smaller harbor seals, especially in the cooler months.
Cape Cod is home to one of the largest gray seal populations on the U.S. East Coast — a genuine wildlife success story after decades of protection — and Chatham Harbor is one of the easiest places to see them up close. That same abundance of seals is why great white sharks visit Cape Cod waters in late summer.
What You’ll See on a Chatham Seal Cruise
On a typical one-hour cruise you’ll see seals up close on the sandbars, along with shorebirds, the famous Chatham break, and often ospreys overhead. It’s an easy, family-friendly boat tour that kids love — and one of the best things to do in Chatham on the water.
Seal Cruise Options & Pricing
- Public Seal Cruise (up to 12 guests) — Adults $45 · Children $40
- Combo: Seal Cruise + Beach Shuttle — Adults $60 · Children $55
- Private Monomoy & South Beach Seal Charter — your own group, about 2.5 hours (back for the 2027 season · gift certificates)
Cruises run about one hour through Chatham Harbor and depart May through Columbus Day weekend — daily through Labor Day, then Tuesday through Saturday — from our marina at 83 Seagull Road in Chatham — no long ride offshore, just an easy hour on the water. Departures are weather- and tide-dependent, and our crew will help you pick the best time to go.
Cape Cod Seal Cruise FAQ
When do seal cruises run? Seal cruises run May through Columbus Day weekend in October: daily through Labor Day, then Tuesday through Saturday. Seals live in Chatham Harbor year-round, but our cruises operate only from May through Columbus Day weekend.
When is the best time to see seals in Chatham? Any time in our season, May through Columbus Day weekend, works. Summer brings the calmest water and daily departures; spring and fall bring the largest numbers as harbor seals join the grays.
How close do you get to the seals? Close enough for great photos, while keeping a respectful, legal distance — the seals are wild and federally protected. Bring a camera or a zoom lens.
Are there sharks on the seal cruise? No. The seal cruise stays inside Chatham Harbor the entire time — calm, protected water. It is not a shark tour and there is no shark risk on this trip. Shark tours are a separate offshore charter.
Where do I park? On site at the marina, 83 Seagull Road — half-day parking for the seal cruise is $15 per car.
Are there restrooms? Yes — restrooms are available at the marina before you board.
Is it wheelchair accessible? Yes — the marina is wheelchair accessible. If you have specific mobility needs for boarding the boat, call (508) 945-2030 and we’ll help.
What happens if the weather is bad? If we cancel for weather, you receive a full refund. Cancel 7+ days ahead for a full refund; within 7 days we’ll reschedule you within the season.
How long is the seal cruise, and where does it go? About one hour, right through Chatham Harbor from our marina at 83 Seagull Road — no long ride offshore.
Is a seal cruise good for kids? Yes — it’s an easy, family-friendly hour on calm harbor water, and one of the best things to do in Chatham with kids.
Gray seals vs. harbor seals — what will I see? Both. Grays are the large ones with the long snout; harbor seals are smaller and rounder. The seals hauled out in Chatham Harbor are mostly gray seals.
Ready to See the Seals?
Seal cruises return in May 2027. Gift certificates never expire and make it easy to plan ahead.
Prefer to talk first? Call the marina at (508) 945-2030 or use the chat bubble and we’ll help you pick the best time.
From Our BlogWhen Is the Best Time to See Seals in Chatham? A Local’s Guide →