It's not uncommon for seals to sunbathe along the Jersey shore when the water temperature dips below 45 degrees, and while this year's visit by the seal population was a bit delayed, the creatures have finally arrived, according to the Gateway National Recreation Area.

More than 100 seals have turned up on Sandy Hook's Skeleton Hill Island in the Sandy Hook Bay. For the most part, the seals tend to hang around in the morning, and swim away in the afternoon, according to a post on Gateway's facebook Page.

Over 100 seals are currently hauling out at Sandy Hook's Skeleton Hill Island on Sandy Hook Bay. Park at Lot C, cross...

Posted by Gateway National Recreation Area on Sunday, February 21, 2016

 

In past years, seal sightings have been reported in several locations along the shore, from Cape May to the Raritan Bay, Bob Shoelkopf, found and executive director of the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine told NJ 101.5 in January.

The seals arrive with the Arctic air, and stick around until sometime in May or June, Shoelkopf said. He also said that while fun to look at, seals are still wild animals, and people should stay at least 200 feet away and take pictures from a distance.

Toniann Antonelli is the digital managing editor for news at NJ 101.5. Reach her at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.

More From New Jersey 101.5 FM