A small crowd gathered at Kohimarama Beach today to watch a seal struggling in the tide.

The Department of Conservation said it was normal behaviour and that they would "leave him alone for now."

Animal Welfare and Management student at Unitec Giverny Forbes said the seal is a rare sight but is fine.

She said the seal was there at 6.30pm tonight and appeared to be perfectly happy.

Forbes said people going to see the seal should be careful near the seal and ensure their dogs are tied up or kept away from it.

This winter's seen a seal pup entertain crowds at the city's Viaduct Basin, a sunbathing seal on Tamaki Drive and a minke whale washed up off Point Chevalier.