Sea Lions at Seattle’s Shilshole Bay Marina
May 30, 2026

Sea lions sleep on a dock at Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Thurs., May 28, 2026. Male sea lions typically gather in the area to feed on abundant fish in the area as they bulk up during migration for breeding season in California and Mexico.
Sea lions sleep on a dock at Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Thurs., May 28, 2026. Male sea lions typically gather in the area to feed on abundant fish in the area as they bulk up during migration for breeding season in California and Mexico.

I’ve visited Seattle’s Shilshole Bay Marina a few times this year to see the sea lions basking on the docks. They stop in the area to feast on salmon on the way down to breeding areas further south. They’re so noisy and clumsy when they move around on land, but so peaceful when they’re asleep. 

Sea lions sleep in the sun on a dock at Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Thu., April 16, 2026. Male sea lions typically gather in the area to feed on abundant fish in the area as they bulk up during migration for breeding season in California and Mexico.
Sea lions sleep on a dock at Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Thurs., May 28, 2026. Male sea lions typically gather in the area to feed on abundant fish in the area as they bulk up during migration for breeding season in California and Mexico.
Sea lions sleep on a dock at Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Thurs., May 28, 2026. Male sea lions typically gather in the area to feed on abundant fish in the area as they bulk up during migration for breeding season in California and Mexico.
Sea lions sleep on a dock at Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Thurs., May 28, 2026. Male sea lions typically gather in the area to feed on abundant fish in the area as they bulk up during migration for breeding season in California and Mexico.
Sea lions swim in the water at Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Mon., April 13, 2026. Male sea lions typically gather in the area to feed on abundant fish in the area as they bulk up during migration for breeding season in California and Mexico.
Sea lions sleep on a dock at Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Thurs., May 28, 2026. Male sea lions typically gather in the area to feed on abundant fish in the area as they bulk up during migration for breeding season in California and Mexico.
Sea lions sleep on a dock at Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Thurs., May 28, 2026. Male sea lions typically gather in the area to feed on abundant fish in the area as they bulk up during migration for breeding season in California and Mexico.
Sea lions swim in the water at Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Mon., April 13, 2026. Male sea lions typically gather in the area to feed on abundant fish in the area as they bulk up during migration for breeding season in California and Mexico.
Sea lions sleep on a dock at Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Thurs., May 28, 2026. Male sea lions typically gather in the area to feed on abundant fish in the area as they bulk up during migration for breeding season in California and Mexico.
Sea lions sleep in the sun on a dock at Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Thu., April 16, 2026. Male sea lions typically gather in the area to feed on abundant fish in the area as they bulk up during migration for breeding season in California and Mexico.
Sea lions bask in the sun on the breakwater at Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Tue., Feb. 24, 2026.
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