MURRELLS INLET, S.C. (WCBD) – A harbor seal was spotted in the Murrells Inlet salt marsh Thursday—a rare sight.

Mike Eady, a guide and owner of Black Rivers Outdoors, saw the surprise guest while on an eco tour in Murrells Inlet near the Huntington Beach State Park.

“This seal was very unexpected but provided us with lots of excitement on the tour yesterday,” said Eady.

It’s no shock that the visit was unexpected, as it’s unusual to see seals in Lowcountry waters. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) says South Carolina is not part of their normal range, but harbor and gray seals are occasionally seen off the coast.

The seals that are spotted are often younger individuals who have ended up off the beaten path, according to SCDNR.

With these animals being far from home, SCDNR and the Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network (LMMN) express ways to keep them safe in Lowcountry waters.

“Always give them a wide berth, especially if you encounter them resting on the shore. Interacting with seals is dangerous to both you and the animal, in addition to being illegal,” said Erin Weeks, communication coordinator at SCDNR.

In a recent Instagram post, the LMMN states, if a seal comes onto land, it does so to rest, and rest is important for the animal. They ask the public not to push it back into the water if it’s on land.

The LMMN says they will continue to monitor and only intervene if a seal appears sick or injured. Otherwise, they are confident that the seal will likely find its way home. They ask to report sightings to: 800.922.5431 if you see one.

“In South Carolina, we’re uniquely situated to get some of the northernmost tropical species and southernmost temperate species like this seal. Never a dull day on the beach,” said Weeks.