Common seal
Phoca vitulina
Recognisable by its round head, short snout and V-shaped nostrils. Pups are born in summer and can swim almost immediately.
- HeadRound, short snout
- NostrilsV-shape
- Weight65–130 kg
- PupsJune–July
The Dutch seal guide
Two species, one coast, one full story.
Everything you need to know about the common and grey seal in the Dutch Wadden Sea and Zeeland Delta — where to see them, how to identify them, what to do with a stranded pup, and how we protect them. Clear and factual.
2
species in the Netherlands
~7,800
grey seals in the Wadden Sea
1962
hunting banned
19
seal species worldwide
The two species
Common or grey seal?
On the beach they look similar, but the head, size and nostrils give it away. Here are the basics — full profiles per species are one click away.
Grey seal
Halichoerus grypus
Larger, with a cone-shaped head and long snout — hence the Dutch nickname "kegelrob". Pups are born with a white, non-waterproof coat and stay weeks on the sandbar.
- HeadCone-shaped, long snout
- NostrilsNearly parallel
- Weight150–300 kg
- PupsNovember–December
Interactive map
Where to spot seals
Key haul-out sites along the Wadden Sea and in the Delta. Click a marker for details, season and access.
Mostly common seal
Mostly grey seal / mixed
Boat trips depart from Lauwersoog, Texel, Vlissingen and more.
Explore the guide
What would you like to know more about?
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Seal spotting
The best places, seasons and boat trips — plus rules that prevent disturbance.
→Species & biology
Anatomy, diet, reproduction, diving behaviour, and the difference between the two Dutch species.
→Pup found?
What to do, what not to do, and when an animal really needs help.
→Protection & policy
From the hunting ban to the Seal Agreement: how the Netherlands protects its seals.
→Wadden Sea & Delta
The habitat: tides, sandbars and World Heritage that gives seals their home.
→Knowledge base
Short, factual answers to the most-asked questions — from sleep to lifespan.
Found a seal on the beach?
A pup alone on the beach is usually not an emergency — it's often resting, or its mother is just out of sight. Here's what to do:
- Keep at least 30 metres distance.
- Do not touch or move the animal.
- Keep dogs on the leash.
- Report the animal to a seal warden.
Report a seal
National reporting line
Trained seal wardens decide on the spot whether rehabilitation is needed.
How to report →