William Herschel discovered NGC 7386 = H III-216 = h2184, along with III-216 = NGC 7385, on 18 Oct 1784 (sweep 297) and recorded both as "Two, vF, S, R, r, about 5' distant from each other. The position is that of the last or north following [NGC 7386]." On 23 Nov 1785 (sweep 476) he noted "vF, pS, R, vlbM." JH made two observations and recorded on sweep 304 "pB; S; R; pgbM."

400/500mm - 17.5" (7/4/86): fairly faint, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, very small bright core. Located 5.8' NNE of NGC 7385 in a galaxy group and appears as a slightly fainter version of NGC 7385.

600/800mm - 24" (7/30/16): at 260; moderately bright and large, oval 3:2 NW-SE, ~1.2'x0.8', well concentrated with a bright, round 25" core. One of the two brightest galaxies in a group (WBL 688) with NGC 7385 5.7' SSW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb