The presence of bacterial enteric pathogens or their indicators does not predict the presence of human enteric viruses in recreational waters. Currently, no validated filter-based method exists for the recovery and quantitative detection of human noro- or adenovirus from seawater. In this study, we evaluated the adsorption-elution characteristics of two negatively charged fiberglass filters (Whatman GF/F and Filterite) and a novel positively charged alumina filter (NanoCeram) for the recovery of noro- and adenovirus in seeded seawater. Percent adsorption and elution were calculated by realtime (RT-)PCR detection of the viruses in the filter eluates. Different elution solutions and contact times were compared for subsequent recovery of the adsorbed viruses. The negatively charged filters had both low adsorption of adenovirus type 2 from seawater (GF/F:26%; Filterite:11%) and low elution of the viruses from the filters (