Looking for a magical wildlife experience along the U.S. coastlines? Whether you’re dreaming of spotting puffins nesting on rocky cliffs, playful seals sunbathing on the shore, or dolphins leaping through the waves, America offers some incredible wildlife-watching opportunities. Here are the top 15 places in the USA where you can reliably see puffins, seals, and dolphins in 2025—a perfect mix of adventure, education, and breathtaking nature.
1. Machias Seal Island, Maine – Puffin Paradise
- Best For: Atlantic Puffins, Grey Seals
- When to Visit: Mid-May to mid-August (Puffin breeding season)
- Book a tour through Bold Coast Charter Co.
Tucked off the coast of Maine near the Canadian border, Machias Seal Island is one of the best—and only—places in the U.S. where you can see puffins up close in their natural habitat. The island is also home to large colonies of grey seals and a variety of seabirds.
Access is strictly controlled to protect the ecosystem, and only a few tour companies are licensed to bring visitors ashore. One of the most reliable is Bold Coast Charter Company.
Insider Tip: Bring a zoom lens—puffins are shy but incredibly photogenic!
2. La Jolla Cove, California – Seals & Sea Lions Galore
- Best For: Harbor Seals, California Sea Lions, Dolphins offshore
- When to Visit: Year-round (Best visibility in spring and fall)
- Visit La Jolla via San Diego Tourism
Right in the heart of San Diego, La Jolla Cove is a treasure trove for marine life lovers. Harbor seals and sea lions lounge freely along the rocky shorelines, especially near the Children’s Pool Beach.
For dolphin watching, head out on a coastal boat tour. Bottlenose and common dolphins are frequently spotted just offshore, especially around sunrise.
Did You Know? The seals here have their own pupping season from mid-December through mid-May, and the beach is sometimes closed to protect them.
3. Morro Bay, California – Dolphin & Otter Encounters
- Best For: Common Dolphins, Harbor Seals, Sea Otters
- When to Visit: April to October
- Explore Morro Bay marine tours
Morro Bay, located along California’s Central Coast, offers one of the most laid-back marine wildlife viewing experiences in the U.S. Paddleboarders and kayakers often share the calm waters with seals and sea otters, while dolphins can be seen from both the shoreline and boat tours.
Tours with Sub Sea Tours give visitors an immersive look at life beneath the surface.
Local Favorite: Rent a kayak at sunset—otters often float right alongside you!
4. Cape Cod, Massachusetts – Coastal Safari for All Three
- Best For: Grey Seals, Atlantic Puffins (occasionally offshore), Dolphins
- When to Visit: June to September
- See dolphins with Dolphin Fleet
Cape Cod isn’t just about beaches and seafood—it’s also a wildlife-watching gem. The waters near Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge and Chatham are teeming with grey seals year-round. Dolphin cruises depart regularly from Provincetown, and while puffins aren’t commonly seen on land here, some offshore pelagic tours spot them during migrations.
Try Dolphin Fleet Whale Watch out of Provincetown for your best shot at dolphins and even whales.
Pro Tip: Book a pelagic birding cruise if you’re keen to glimpse puffins off the coast.
5. Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska – Wild & Unforgettable
- Best For: Horned Puffins, Harbor Seals, Pacific White-Sided Dolphins
- When to Visit: June to early September
- Explore Kenai Fjords with Major Marine
Alaska’s Kenai Fjords is one of the wildest and most rewarding spots for wildlife watching in the U.S. Dramatic fjords, calving glaciers, and ocean teeming with life—it’s the ultimate marine safari.
From Seward, you can join day cruises with Major Marine Tours or Kenai Fjords Tours, both offering chances to see horned puffins, massive seal colonies, sea otters, and dolphins in one unforgettable trip.
Fun Fact: Horned puffins are even more striking than their Atlantic cousins, with bold facial markings and bright orange feet.
6. Depoe Bay, Oregon – Dolphin Spotting Capital of the Pacific Northwest
- Best For: Gray Whales (often mistaken for dolphins), Harbor Porpoises, Seals
- When to Visit: March to May and November to January (migrations)
- Plan your visit with Tradewinds Charters
Known as the “Whale Watching Capital of the Oregon Coast,” Depoe Bay is also a great place to spot harbor seals, harbor porpoises, and occasionally Pacific white-sided dolphins. The town has a natural seawall that allows excellent marine viewing from land—no boat required.
Several local companies, like Tradewinds Charters, offer marine life tours year-round.
Bonus Tip: Head to the Whale Watching Center for expert guidance and free binocular rentals!
7. Channel Islands National Park, California – The Galápagos of North America
- Best For: Common Dolphins, California Sea Lions, Seals, Rare Puffin Sightings
- When to Visit: April to October
- Explore the Channel Islands
Nicknamed the “Galápagos of North America”, Channel Islands National Park off the coast of Ventura and Santa Barbara is bursting with biodiversity. You’ll often see thousands of dolphins riding the boat wake, along with sea lions and seals lounging on the rocky shores.
While puffins aren’t regular residents here, pelagic birding tours sometimes record sightings during migration.
Insider Tip: Book a trip with Island Packers Cruises to maximize dolphin encounters.
8. Seward, Alaska (Resurrection Bay) – Close Encounters in Cold Waters
- Best For: Horned Puffins, Tufted Puffins, Harbor Seals, Dolphins
- When to Visit: Late May to September
- Tour with Kenai Fjords Tours
Seward is your gateway to Resurrection Bay and one of the best places to see horned puffins nesting in cliffs, as well as harbor seals and Pacific white-sided dolphins that frequently swim alongside wildlife tour boats.
Alaska’s rugged backdrop adds to the experience, and many tours even include sightings of humpbacks and orcas.
Local Tip: Dress in layers—it can feel like winter, even in July.
9. Monterey Bay, California – Big Marine Encounters in a Small Town
- Best For: Dolphins, Sea Lions, Elephant Seals, Puffins (rarely offshore)
- When to Visit: Year-round (Best in spring & late summer)
- Check out Monterey Bay Whale Watch
Home to the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, this area is a marine life hotspot. Dolphin species like Risso’s and bottlenose dolphins are commonly seen, and elephant seals can be spotted at nearby Año Nuevo State Park.
While puffins aren’t a staple here, pelagic birding trips sometimes catch them passing offshore.
Why It Stands Out: Deep submarine canyons bring wildlife super close to shore—great for photographers!
10. Isle au Haut, Maine – Remote, Rugged & Full of Wildlife
- Best For: Puffins (offshore), Seals, Dolphins
- When to Visit: May to August
- Visit Isle au Haut
This lesser-known island off the coast of Stonington, Maine offers a more rustic and remote puffin-watching experience. Tours from the mainland often pass by Seal Island National Wildlife Refuge, home to puffins, razorbills, seals, and dolphins.
Try Isle au Haut Boat Services for ferry rides and custom wildlife cruises.
Local Tip: There are few amenities here—bring everything you need and respect the untouched nature of this area.
11. Gulf Islands National Seashore, Florida & Mississippi – Dolphin Heaven
- Best For: Bottlenose Dolphins, Atlantic Spotted Dolphins, Occasional Seals
- When to Visit: Year-round (best from March to October)
- Plan your visit with NPS Gulf Islands
Stretching across the Florida Panhandle to Mississippi, the Gulf Islands National Seashore is a dolphin hotspot. Take a boat tour from Pensacola Beach or Gulf Breeze, and you’re almost guaranteed to spot pods of playful bottlenose dolphins.
Seals are rare here, but dolphins are plentiful, and the crystal-clear Gulf waters make sightings unforgettable.
Local Tip: Go early in the morning for calm waters and the best chance of seeing dolphins up close.
12. Bar Harbor, Maine – A Coastal Classic for Puffins & Seals
- Best For: Atlantic Puffins (offshore), Harbor Seals, Dolphins
- When to Visit: May to August
- Tour puffins with Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co.
Just outside Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor is a charming coastal town known for its nature tours. Puffin cruises head to nearby Petit Manan Island and other protected nesting sites, while harbor seals rest on the rocky outcroppings.
Boats often spot white-sided dolphins, especially on longer marine wildlife cruises.
Pro Tip: Combine your puffin tour with a whale watch—it’s one of the few places where you can see puffins, dolphins, seals, and whales all in a single trip.
13. Outer Banks, North Carolina – Coastal Riches & Dolphin Tours
- Best For: Bottlenose Dolphins, Grey Seals (winter), Rare Puffin Sightings Offshore
- When to Visit: May to September for dolphins; December–February for seals
The Outer Banks (OBX) is famous for its wild beaches and lighthouses, but it’s also home to a thriving population of bottlenose dolphins. You can take dolphin tours out of Nags Head, Manteo, or Hatteras.
In winter, grey seals have started appearing on some northern OBX beaches—rare but increasing. While puffins are not common, they’ve been spotted offshore by experienced birders.
Fun Fact: The Outer Banks are one of the few places where wild horses roam beaches—another unique wildlife experience.
14. Bristol Bay, Alaska – Remote Puffins & Seals in the Wild
- Best For: Tufted & Horned Puffins, Harbor Seals, Sea Otters, Dolphins (offshore)
- When to Visit: June to August
- Bristol Adventures Wildlife Trips
Located in southwest Alaska, Bristol Bay is known for its pristine ecosystems and untouched coastline. While harder to access, wildlife tours here are exceptional. Tufted and horned puffins nest on isolated islands, harbor seals sun themselves on the shoreline, and sea otters float in kelp beds.
Bristol Adventures and other eco-tour companies offer specialized small-group wildlife tours.
Pro Tip: This region is remote—ideal for travelers looking to avoid crowds and connect with nature on a deeper level.
15. San Juan Islands, Washington – Iconic Pacific Marine Life
- Best For: Harbor Seals, Tufted Puffins (seasonal), Dolphins & Porpoises
- When to Visit: May to September
- San Juan Safaris Wildlife Tours
The San Juan Islands, north of Seattle, are one of the best places in the U.S. to see marine mammals in their natural habitat. Harbor seals are everywhere, tufted puffins nest on nearby Smith and Protection Islands, and Pacific white-sided dolphins and porpoises regularly swim these waters.
Tours from Friday Harbor or Anacortes are the best bet for sightings.
Why It’s Special: You may also spot orcas, which frequent the waters in summer—an unforgettable bonus!
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re an amateur birder, a marine life enthusiast, or just looking for something beyond the usual beach vacation, these five spots offer a front-row seat to America’s most charming coastal creatures. With the right timing and a bit of patience, you’ll leave with unforgettable memories—and maybe a few fantastic photos, too.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. When is the best time to see puffins in the USA?
A: From mid-May to early August, especially in Maine and Alaska during their nesting season.
Q2. Where can I see seals in the wild?
A: Top spots include La Jolla (CA), Cape Cod (MA), San Juan Islands (WA), and Kenai Fjords (AK).
Q3. Are dolphin sightings guaranteed on tours?
A: No, but places like Monterey Bay, Outer Banks, and Gulf Islands have high chances year-round.
Q4. Can I touch or feed these animals?
A: No. These are wild animals—observe from a distance and follow ethical wildlife guidelines.
Q5. Do I need to book tours in advance?
A: Yes, especially during peak season (May–September). Tours often fill up quickly.
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I am Sabiq Rasel is an Entrepreneur and broadcaster. I believe that every sip of coffee holds the potential for a moment of inspiration, creativity, and every cup tells a story.
