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Ocean Calling

Ocean Atlas · Europe and Mediterranean

Europe and Mediterranean

Latvia

A quiet Baltic coast where the big gathering is birds on the flyway, and grey seals are seen if you are quiet. Shared as a story only, with no trips.

Grey seal
Grey seal, found in the waters of the wider region · Photo: liam1294, iNaturalist, cc-by
Story only

Story only, for now. We love learning about this place and its ocean, so we share its story here and do not sell trips yet. Checked by Ocean Calling on 6 Oct 2026. Sources: Limited hunting of seals might be allowed in Latvia, LSM Latvian Public Broadcasting; Protected species of the month: Ringed Seal, University of Latvia; Latvia travel advice, UK FCDO.

Why: Latvia's Baltic coast is a quiet place for seabirds and seals. Grey seals have recovered across the Baltic to more than 60,000 animals, and seals are protected under Latvian law, while the ringed seal is a rare, protected species that feeds in Latvian waters. We keep it simple here: watch from the shore at a respectful distance, never land near seals and never visit resting or pupping sites.

Why Latvia

Latvia is known for Riga, the sandy beach of Jurmala, bogs and birds on the East Atlantic flyway. The grey seal is the regular sea mammal on the coast, and the ringed seal population is struggling. The Baltic harbour porpoise is critically endangered and marine surveys did not detect one in Latvian waters. Latvian law bans keeping marine mammals except in a registered zoo. This is story only and we do not go.

Conservation-led. Ocean Calling guests never chase, touch or bait animals.

KazakhstanUzbekistanRussiaNorwayGreenlandFranceTurkmenistanIranArmeniaSwedenBelarusUkrainePolandAustriaHungaryMoldovaRomaniaLithuaniaLatviaEstoniaGermanyBulgariaGreeceTurkeyAlbaniaCroatiaSwitzerlandLuxembourgBelgiumNetherlandsPortugalSpainIrelandItalyDenmarkUnited KingdomIcelandAzerbaijanGeorgiaSloveniaFinlandSlovakiaCzechiaBosnia and Herz.MacedoniaSerbiaMontenegroKosovoPape and Kurzeme coast, Latvia

When to go

Timing changes a lot from place to place. See each place below.

We share this place as a story so you can learn. There is no Ocean Calling trip.

Our ethics check

Can we travel here ethically?

Story only

We tell the story. We do not sell a trip here.

Checked 6 Oct 2026. Places change, so we look again every year.

Sources for this check
The story

Where in Latvia

We share these places as stories and research notes. We do not offer or sell trips here.

Pape and Kurzeme coast

Story only

A quiet coast with reserves, bird migration and the odd grey seal.

Also seen: Grey seals (from the shore, if you are quiet)

Animals

Animals recorded in Latvia

Tap an animal to learn how it lives, where it travels and how to meet it respectfully.

Land animals
Grey seal resting on a seaweed rock in Northumberland, UKGrey sealHalichoerus grypusSeen in 13 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernA young ringed seal of the Gulf of Bothnia in the Taskisenperä marina in Oulu, FinlandBaltic ringed sealPusa hispida botnicaSeen in 4 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernHarbour porpoise rolling at the surface off Berry Head, DevonHarbour porpoisePhocoena phocoenaSeen in 20 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernMoon jellyfish in a harbour in Zeeland, NetherlandsMoon jellyfishAurelia aurita and other Aurelia speciesSeen in 33 countries in the AtlasNot EvaluatedA single silvery herring angled through deep blue water off Skjervoy, northern NorwayAtlantic herringClupea harengusSeen in 21 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernWhite-tailed eagle in flight low over calm water with a fish in its talons, near Raftsund, Lofoten, NorwayWhite-tailed eagleHaliaeetus albicillaSeen in 38 countries in the AtlasLives on landLeast ConcernGreat cormorant perched on a branch, with white head plumes and a glossy blue-black backGreat cormorantPhalacrocorax carboSeen in 90 countries in the AtlasLeast Concern
Curious?

Why this is a story, not a trip

Read our ethics check above. If you would like to talk about it, Rocío is happy to explain.

Ask RocíoBack to the Ocean Atlas

Also in Europe and Mediterranean
AlbaniaAlgeriaBelgiumBulgariaCroatiaCyprusDenmarkEstoniaFaroe IslandsFinlandFranceGeorgiaGermanyGibraltarGreeceGreenlandIcelandIrelandItalyLebanonLibyaLithuaniaMaltaMonacoMontenegroMoroccoNetherlandsNorwayPalestinePolandPortugalRomaniaRussiaSloveniaSpainSwedenSyriaTunisiaTürkiyeUkraineUnited Kingdom

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For partners

Based in Latvia?

We are always happy to hear from exceptional local operators, accommodation, conservation organisations and destination experts in Latvia. If your work fits responsible, small-group ocean travel, we would love to learn more.

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Swim with humpback whales in Moʻorea, September 2027

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