We investigated the effects of Ecklonia cava ethanol extract (ECE) on sleep architecture and sleep profiles. ECE was orally administered at a dose of 100, 250, or 500 mg/kg to C57BL/6N mice and its effects were measured by recording electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyogram. Administration of ECE (250 and 500 mg/kg) significantly induced non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREMS) without affecting rapid eye movement sleep. The increase in NREMS by ECE (500 mg/kg) was significant (P < 0.05) during the first 2 h after administration. In addition, ECE had no effect on EEG power density (an indicator of sleep quality) in NREMS. These results suggest that ECE induces NREMS in a manner similar to physiological sleep.