7 August 2026

Saimaa Seals in Finland, July 2026

I spent most of July with my kids – not looking for mammals – on what some might describe as a ‘normal’ holiday. I took this as a learning experience .. and what I learned is that ‘normal’ holidays are overrated.

Seal Safari

But before you start feeling too sorry for me, or fear for my mental health, I am happy to report it was not a total waste of a month. I did squeeze in an evening’s mammalwatching in Finland, where my son (Patrick) and I went in search of Saimaa (Ringed) Seal.

Saimaa (Ringed) Seal (Pusa saimensis)

These freshwater seals are found only in Saimaa Lake in central Finland. Until recently they were treated as a subspecies of Ringed Seal, but have now been split after 10,000 years of isolation. With a total population of just 500 they are among the world’s most endangered pinnipeds.

Linnansaari National Park

I asked for some advice from the Mammalwatching Europe Group on Facebook and got some helpful suggestions. The consensus was that I should try Linnansaari National Park near Oravi, and book an evening cruise with SaimaaHoliday Oravi.

I was also told that though the seal are very easy to see in May when they haul out on rocks, they are more difficult to spot later in the summer when the chances of seeing a seal – and then likely just a head in the water – are around 50/50.

Saimaa (Ringed) Seal (Pusa saimensis). First sighting.

We took a three hour evening cruise in late July and we saw three seals.

Saimaa (Ringed) Seal (Pusa saimensis). Second sighting.

Two of them from a distance in the water and finally one hauled out on a rock. I got the impression that the trips were seeing seals nearly every day and the boatmen know which rocks they like to haul out on. So the odds are probably better than 50/50 even in late July.

Saimaa (Ringed) Seal (Pusa saimensis). Third sighting.

The only other mammals were a couple of North American Beavers. There are a few Eurasian Beavers here but they are less common than the invasive North Americans.

North American Beaver (Castor canadensis)

The trip the evening before ours had seen a Lynx swimming across the lake! This was not a common sighting.

A big thanks to all who gave me advice, especially Olli Haukkovaara, one of Finland’s keenest mammalwatchers, who drove up to meet me for lunch the following day. After that it was back to the struggles of a normal vacation for a few more days. 

Patrick, me and a seal

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Jon Hall
Genetically Welsh, spiritually Australian, currently in New York City. I’ve also lived and worked in London, Canberra, Paris and Lusaka, and watched mammals in over 100 countries.
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