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Ocean Calling

Ocean Atlas · Europe and Mediterranean

Europe and Mediterranean

Poland

A southern Baltic coast where grey seals are coming back and a seal sanctuary stands on the Hel peninsula. 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: Seals and porpoises on the Polish coast, Science in Poland (PAP); Poland 2024 marine mammal rescue report, Sea Alarm; Baltic harbour porpoise reports, ASCOBANS.

Why: Grey seals have returned to the Polish Baltic coast after decades away, and well over 200 gather at the mouth of the Vistula each spring. Polish law gives all seals strict species protection, so approaching or disturbing them is against the law, and the Baltic harbour porpoise is critically endangered, with Puck Bay and the Hel Peninsula at the heart of its protection work. At the University of Gdansk seal station in Hel, hurt or abandoned pups are cared for and released, and we simply watch seals from a long distance on the shore and never touch them.

🧭 Travel advice, checked 30 Sep 2026. The US State Department rates Poland at Level 1, exercise normal precautions. Smartraveller also advises normal safety precautions and notes recent drone activity has caused temporary airspace closures. It says not to cross into Ukraine from Poland. Sources: US State Department travel advisory, Poland · Smartraveller travel advice, Poland Advice differs by passport: check your own government before you plan.

Wildlife watching

Why Poland

Poland's coast has grey seals that are recovering after they nearly disappeared from the southern Baltic, and they are seen regularly at the Vistula estuary, where drone counts in 2023 to 2025 recorded 800 to 900 animals. The Hel Marine Station runs a seal sanctuary and a rescue ward that is closed to the public. The Baltic harbour porpoise is critically endangered, and it is rarely detected in Polish waters in summer. Rules ask you to stay at least 30 m from seals, so this is story only and we do not go.

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

KazakhstanUzbekistanRussiaNorwayGreenlandFranceTurkmenistanIranArmeniaSwedenBelarusUkrainePolandAustriaHungaryMoldovaRomaniaLithuaniaLatviaEstoniaGermanyBulgariaGreeceTurkeyAlbaniaCroatiaSwitzerlandLuxembourgBelgiumNetherlandsPortugalSpainIrelandItalyDenmarkUnited KingdomIcelandAzerbaijanGeorgiaSloveniaFinlandSlovakiaCzechiaBosnia and Herz.MacedoniaSerbiaMontenegroKosovoHel Peninsula and Puck Bay, PolandMewia Lacha, Vistula estuary, Poland

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 Poland

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

Hel Peninsula and Puck Bay

Story only

A long sandy peninsula with a university marine station and a seal sanctuary.

Also seen: Grey seals (from the shore, at least 30 m away)

Mewia Lacha, Vistula estuary

Story only

A nature reserve at the river mouth where grey seals are seen regularly.

Also seen: Grey seals (from a distance of at least 30 m)

Animals

Animals recorded in Poland

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 ConcernHarbour porpoise rolling at the surface off Berry Head, DevonHarbour porpoisePhocoena phocoenaSeen in 20 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernSpotted harbor seal lifting its head out of calm waterHarbor sealPhoca vitulinaSeen in 13 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 ConcernRinged seal lying on snow and ice, dark with pale ring markings on its backRinged sealPusa hispidaSeen in 13 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernGreat cormorant perched on a branch, with white head plumes and a glossy blue-black backGreat cormorantPhalacrocorax carboSeen in 90 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernHuge flock of sooty shearwaters flying low over the sea beside a rocky coastSooty shearwaterArdenna griseaSeen in 53 countries in the AtlasNear ThreatenedClose view of a northern gannet face, with pale blue eyes and a golden headNorthern gannetMorus bassanusSeen in 38 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernTwo pygmy cormorants perched on a bare branchPygmy cormorantMicrocarbo pygmaeusSeen in 26 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
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