A seal was spotted in the sand dunes at Papamoa Beach yesterday morning. Nichola Edwards said it had the beach to itself.
The Department of Conservation says seals are often seen in the winter time along the Bay of Plenty coastline, as they come to shore to rest from the rough winter seas.
The department warns people to stay at least 20 metres away from seals and not disturb them, as they can be aggressive if threatened. If concerned about a wild animal's safety, call the department's hotline on 0800 362 468.