Chatham Seal Cruises & Tours
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.
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 (see charter)
Cruises run about one hour through Chatham Harbor and depart daily in season 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 is the best time to see seals in Chatham? Seals are here year-round, so any season 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.
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.