“Seal Rock” is without a doubt, the Harbor Seals favorite rock. There is usually a “king (or queen) for the morning,” and they determine who is allowed on the rock and who is not. Typically, the queen is the largest and she lets the visitor know, with lots of loud grunting and growling, if they are not welcome.
Harbor Seals are site faithful, meaning they will spend their lives along the same stretch of coastline where they were born, fish, and haul out.
Even though seals look like they are basking in the sun, they are actually hauled out to thermoregulate. Seals do not like to touch each other. Observe closely next time you see a raft on the rocks and you will notice that they go to great lengths not to physically come in contact with one another.
Brace Rock and “Seal Rock”
I am reposting the Harbor Seal psa because of a recent incident. What would be your initial reaction if you saw a seal hauled out on the beach? Most likely, to get up close to the seal to see if it was injured. That is human nature but it is actually the worst action you could take. The Harbor Seal in this video struggled to survive the world of curious humans. By approaching too closely, you could very well force the seal back into the water. Harbor Seals, especially juveniles, haul out for a variety of reasons, mostly to rest, less likely because of injury or illness, and oftentimes to escape a shark.
Good Morning Gloucester 
Kim,
I talked with mom and from what I remember growing up there were not quite as many of these beauties sunning and funning in our times good sign however! We all need this type of break even as humans! May have also ate something did not agree with seal and we all know how that is felt Closing eyes relaxing angle when went back out says a lot!! š Dave & Kim š
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The seals have made quite a comeback Dave š
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Yes they have and they know where they are loved too! š Dave
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Hi Kim, could you tell me where Seal Rock is, my kids would love to visit…. from a safe distance.
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At Brace Cove there are a group of rocks that the seals like to haul out upon. The large rock furthest away from the shore and closest to Brace Rock always appears to be the seals favorite and that is why I referred to it as “Seal Rock.”
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