Spotting Seals on the Belgian Coast: Where, When and How?

Ten years ago, a seal on our coast was still a rarity. Today they lie around almost every day in the harbour of Nieuwpoort or by the breakwater at Ostend. A beach walk in autumn or winter can easily end with a pair of big, dark eyes looking up at you from the sand. Pull on your Calm Shore Hoodie, with a moose wading through still water, and discover where and when you can spot seals on the Belgian coast, and how to leave them in peace.

More and More Seals Along Our Coast

The number of seals in Belgian waters has grown considerably in recent years. The Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS) confirms a "steady growth" in the number of resting seals. According to the North Seal Team, the volunteers who protect the animals on the coast, around 80 to 90 reports came in during the first weeks of 2026 alone.

Why are they coming back?

• Seals have not been hunted since the middle of the 20th century.
• There has been no major disease outbreak.
• The water quality has improved.
• There is more food in the sea.

Harbour Seal or Grey Seal?

Two species occur along our coast.

• The harbour seal has a small, round head with a short snout, a bit like a dog's.
• The grey seal is larger and has a long, straight snout, which is sometimes called the "horse head".

You can see them in different seasons:

• Grey seals are born in November and December, mainly in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. From January to March, many young grey seals come to rest on our beaches while they shed their white baby coat.
• Harbour seals are most common in summer, when their pups are also born.

Where to See Seals on the Belgian Coast

1. Nieuwpoort: the Yser estuary (IJzermonding) and the harbour

The place to see seals. In the harbour of Nieuwpoort and the Yser estuary (IJzermonding), seals rest almost every day, sometimes more than twenty at once. You often see them on the slopes in the harbour. They are mostly harbour seals, with the occasional young grey seal.

2. Ostend: the Klein Strand

Seals regularly rest on the breakwater at Ostend, on the Klein Strand between the two breakwaters. In 2024 up to 12 lay there at the same time, with relatively many grey seals. Volunteers help keep the resting place protected.

3. Zeebrugge

At the end of the western harbour wall, up to seven seals sometimes lie together. The spot is hard to reach, though.

4. The Zwin

You are also seeing more and more seals in the Zwin, but they lie in places you cannot get to. Binoculars give you the best chance. Are you also a bird lover? Then the Zwin is a top spot: read our beginner's guide to birdwatching.

On the beach, the wind really picks up in autumn and winter. A warm layer like the Pure Ground Hoodie, with no big design and in a pure colour, keeps you warm while you wait.

The Rules: How to Leave Seals in Peace

A seal on the beach is usually not sick or lost. Seals deliberately rest on the beach to recover.

• Keep at least 30 metres away.
• Keep your dog on a lead. Dogs running loose chase seals back into the sea, or even injure or kill them. Around the Easter holidays, there are more and more bite incidents.
• Never touch a seal. Seals can bite hard and will defend themselves if you get too close.
• Do not push a seal back into the sea. It is lying there for a reason.
• Follow the instructions of the volunteers from the North Seal Team.

Are you walking your dog by the sea or in the forest? Then also read our article about walking with your dog in the forest.

Found a Sick or Injured Seal?

Do you see a seal that is injured, tangled in a net or plastic, or clearly in poor shape?

1. Do not touch it and keep your distance.
2. Call the seal hotline of SEA LIFE Blankenberge: +32 477 34 58 90.
3. Keep other people and dogs away until help arrives.

The seal hospital in Blankenberge

SEA LIFE Blankenberge has been taking in sick and injured seals since 1998. Nowadays an animal is first observed, and intervention only happens when something is really wrong. In the past, pups were sometimes taken off the beach unnecessarily. In 2024, 9 seals were taken in, the lowest number in 21 years. On average they arrived weighing around 14 kg and were released after 84 days, weighing around 36 kg.

On 21 May 2026, five grey seals were released on the beach at Blankenberge. They had been found between February and April, including in Koksijde with a plastic bag and in Oostduinkerke with a fishing net.

Tips for a Seal Walk

• Bring binoculars so you can watch from a distance.
• Go in winter (January to March) for young grey seals, or in summer for harbour seals.
• Be quiet and patient. Seals often lie still for a long time and look like a rock until they move.
• Dress warm and waterproof. By the sea it is colder than you think. You can find tips in our article on hiking in the rain.

A day by the sea, the rhythm of the waves: that feeling is captured in the Silver Run T-shirt, with a salmon swimming through wild water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can you see seals on the Belgian coast?

Mainly in the harbour of Nieuwpoort and the Yser estuary (IJzermonding), where seals rest almost daily, and on the Klein Strand by the breakwater at Ostend. Sometimes also at Zeebrugge and the Zwin.

How close may you get to a seal?

Keep at least 30 metres away, do not touch it, and keep your dog on a lead.

What do you do with an injured seal?

Do not touch it, keep your distance and call the seal hotline of SEA LIFE Blankenberge on +32 477 34 58 90.

For Those Who Love the Wild Side of the Coast

Wind in your hair, salt on your lips and a seal that looks at you for a moment before falling asleep again: the coast is wilder than you think. Discover our animal designs in the Wildlife collection, such as the Mirror Lake Sweatshirt with a kayak on a glassy lake, or the Swift Dive Hoodie with a diving falcon. Shipping is free across the EU from €45 (otherwise €4.99).