CRESLI 2024-2025 Seal Walks and Cruises

Join CRESLI on amazing tips to view and study the various seal species that call Long Island home

By: A. H. Kopelman, Ph.D.











CRESLI 2024-2025 Seal Walks and Cruises







CRESL Seal Walks and Cruises

Our 20th year of CRESLI Seal Walks at Cupsogue Beach has startedJoin us to observe, photograph, and learn about Long Island's seals. 

  • We have documented 32,617 seal encounters at Cupsogue Beach since 2006 (551 trips)!

Our 4th year of CRESLI Seal Cruises in Shinnecock Bay will start in December 2024 

  • We have documented 1800 seal encounters in Shinnecock Bay (20 trips) 
  • See our calendar for upcoming cruise dates


Monthly mean and standard error, # of harbor seals per sightings at Cupsogue  from 2006-2021

Seals are typically in our area for 7 months (November through May), however the average number of individuals per sighting varies per month.

 

 

2024: Hammerhead-right (left) & Horseshoe (right) back for their 19th consecutive year. Hope to see them for their 20th 


These 1.2 miles round trip walks are suitable for children and take about 1 to 1.5 hours.


  • Check the weather for Cupsogue Beach and assume that the winds will produce wind chill. It’s better to be a more-on, than a less-on, i.e., having more layers than you need is the right thing. 

    • Wear warm clothing in layers. Hats, gloves, and warm shoes are recommended, as are cameras and binoculars.


Please DO NOT PARTICIPATE IF YOU ARE SICK OR HAVE ANY COVID-19 SYMPTOMS. If you have recently been in contact with someone who is sick, Please Stay Home!

Your reservation is valid regardless of donation(s), a donation in advance is helpful, but NOT REQUIRED. 

In the event that we cancel due to weather, you will contacted via cell phone and email

  • Spotting scopes and high resolution digital cameras with viewing screens will be available
  • It is strongly suggested that your bring your own binoculars.
  • Feel free to also bring your own telescopes and cameras


2024-2025 CRESLI Cupsogue Seal Walks

DATE STATUS
Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 7:00 AM

See report below

Saturday, November 30, 2024 at 11:00 AM See report below
Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 11:00 AM See report below
Saturday, December 28, 2024 at 10:00 AM Wait-listed
Sunday, December 29, 2024 at 10:45AM Wait-listed
Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 10:00 AM AVAILABLE
Sunday, January 26, 2025 at 9:30 AM AVAILABLE
Sunday, February 9, 2025 at 9:30 AM AVAILABLE
Sunday, March 9, 2025 at 9:15AM AVAILABLE
Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 7:00 AM AVAILABLE


2024-2025 CRESLI Cupsogue Seal Walk and Monitoring Reports

 

Sunday, November 24, 2024 

Just after sunrise on a cold and blustery morning (with brisk NW wind at 15 knots), our first seal walk of this 2025 season was successful! We found ~ 30 Atlantic harbor seals hauled-out 600 yards away (on their tertiary haul-out site). Photos were taken using telephoto lenses (1200mm) and are cropped. No seals were disturbed.

Photos are available to view and purchase to help support our work

Wednesday, November 27, 2024 

During the 11/27/2024 seal monitoring session ~37 Atlantic harbor seals were hauled-out on the tertiary haul-out area. Photos were taken using telephoto lenses (1200mm) and are cropped. No seals were disturbed.

37 harbor seals on tertiary haulout area

Photos are available to view and purchase to help support our work

Saturday, November 30, 2024

Another cold day with brisk winds out of the NNE. 5-10Atlantic harbor seals began hauling-out on the tertiary haul-out area about 10 AM. They were periodically disturbed by vessel activity of clammers 1/2 mile ESE of the seals. 

Our seal walk group arrived near the viewing area just after 11 and from the road could see 12 harbor seals hauled. However, we were not the only people there. By the time we got to our closer vantage point (away from the shoreline) the seals had been already flushed from the sand bar.  Over the next 30 minutes, we watched as some of them swam westerward towards the inlet.

The seals were not disturbed by our group.

  • We at CRESLI have 20 years of experience leading hundreds of seal walks at Cupsogue Beach. We are extremely cognizant of the potential for distrurbance and ALWAYS act in ways that will not disturb seals, even with large groups of people.  

We ask that all persons wishing to view seals, do so first on guided tours like ours. Learn from us about how to view seals without scaring them.

Saturday, December 14, 2024

During this CRESLI seal walk patience paid off. While no seals were hauled-out, we waited and began to see Alantic harbor seals swimming. Just after absolute low-tide about 12 harbor seals were seen. Many were following a kayak, most likely making sure it wasn't a threat. We were able to capture photos of about 4-5 seals. Photos were taken using telephoto lenses (1200mm) and are cropped. No seals were disturbed.

Photos are available to view and purchase to help support our work

Here's a slideshow


LAST YEAR'S SEAL WALK AND MONITORING REPORTS (2023-2024)

  • 1,136 seal encounters this season at Cupsogue Beach (Moriches Bay, NY)
  • Overall average of 37.87 ± 6.73 seals/encounter (all trips, n=28)
  • Undisturbed average of  54.55 ± 7.88 seals/encounter for undisturbed encounters (n=20)


Reports from past CRESLI seal walks (from 2020-2024) and 2010- 2019

View the best photos and videos from the 2023-24 seal walks and cruises 


Please go to our Seal Cruise Page for more information and reservations regarding our 2025 CRESLI SHINNECOCK BAY SEAL CRUISES on the R/V Peconic will begin again on December 15, 2024.


Contact Dr. Artie Kopelman to arrange additional dates and times during the week for school groups, homeschoolers, and other groups


From our colleagues at NOAA Fisheries New England/Mid-Atlantic: 

If you see seals on the beach, use the Rule of Thumb while watching seals to make sure you are giving them enough space.

  • 1) Close one eye.
  • 2) Make a thumbs up and hold your thumb so it's in line with your vision and the seal.
  • 3) If you can see the seal from behind your thumb, you are too close so back up!

  

Don't forget to contact your local stranding network 631-369-9829, or our regional hotline 866-755-6622, if you see an injured seal!


CRESLI Cupsogue Seal Videos on Vimeo


CRESLI is a non-profit organization as defined in section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All Contributions are deductible to the fullest extent of the law. A copy of the last financial report filed with the Department of State may be obtained by writing to NYS Dept. of State, Office of Charities Registration, Albany, NY 12231.


We at CRESLI wish to acknowledge the indigenous peoples and tribes who were the original stewards of the coastal areas in which we work. The Coastal Research & Education Society of Long Island's research and work take place primarily on the land and waters of the Unkechaug (Cupsogue Beach), Shinnecock (Shinnecock Bay), Montaukett (Montauk), and Secatogue (West Sayville). View a map of the indigenous communities.

 


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