Unexpected Afternoon with a Harbor Seal

Pleasant Harbor provides a protected cove with easy access for paddlers to view a huge variety of boats and the wildlife around them.

Katherine O'Leary-Cole

Recent posts

Article by Pallin’ Around Charters Diver & Guide

Katherine O’Leary-Cole

Following an impulse to not waste the precious sunlight of a beautiful October day led to an unexpected afternoon with a harbor seal. Pleasant Harbor is an easily accessible and protected cove on the Hood Canal for a paddle with both “urban” and wildlife appeal.

Paddling Pleasant Harbor

Located just south of Brinnon, Pleasant Harbor makes for a wonderfully interesting paddle. If you plan to make a weekend of it, stay at Dosewallips State Park just down the road. Curious about other local paddles or adventures? Check out this story on the Duckabush Estuary Paddle and E-Biking the Dosewallips River Road.

Looking north from the boat ramp, paddle through the marinas on the left or next to more forested residential shore on the right.
From intriguing house boats to the sheriff’s practical boat, there are many interesting designs to consider in the Pleasant Harbor and Home Port Marinas. Most of these boats have been adapted over the decades to specialize their use and reflect their owners’ tastes.
However, once this adorable little seal started following me around, I was much less interested in the boats. While you should give seals their space, it’s more difficult when one is following you! Naturally curious and shy, seals seem to be more comfortable approaching humans in the water than on land where they are dramatically less agile. Learn more fun facts about Hood Canal harbor seals here.
When at dock, the Zephyr Research Vessel is a captivating boat to study. This 86′ steel boat was built in 1972 to work as a pilot boat in San Francisco. After 30 years of service, she was donated to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. The current owners bought her in 2013 and updated Zephyr to her current status as a vessel serving researchers in projects like underwater vehicle deployment, fish-tagging, acoustic mooring deployment, and general marine construction. Paddlers in the marina can view specialized equipment at the stern of the boat and imagine their own adventures at sea!
This curious seal followed me around the marina for nearly an hour. Occasionally, I could feel it bumping under my kayak and once it even tried to hop in the back! While this phenomenon has been documented, I was a bit concerned about my cell phone and I being dunked in the water. Eventually, I returned the kayak to its spot and the seal pup continued to eye it (look at it popping out of the water while the kayak is tied up!) before hopping up onto the dock to a rest. It was a big day for this seal, too!

Access

Most boaters access this cove via the boat ramp located off Black Point Road. Read more about the WDFW project to build out this site nearly 20 years ago to provide public access.

There is no public water access from neighboring Pleasant Harbor Marina. Although often overlooked, Pleasant Harbor State Park is a lovely place to moor your boat overnight. However, there is not a boat ramp at this location.

Bring your own kayak to the ramp or rent one from Hood Canal Adventures.

Recent posts

Check our Airbnb listing for availability here

  We had a lovely time in Brinnon with spectacular views of the water, elk coming through the front yard, and blackberries galore! We’d definitely stay again. One note is that... read more

thumb Alison
August 20, 2022

© 2023 all rights reserved

Olympic Oasis
Website by Freed
Olympic Oasis

© 2023 all rights reserved

Website by Freed