CRESLI 2025-2026 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.
CRESL Seal Walks, Cruises, and Monitoring
Our 21st year of CRESLI Seal Walks at Cupsogue Beach starts on November 15, 2025.
Join us to observe, photograph, and learn about Long Island's seals.
- We have documented 33,111 seal encounters at Cupsogue Beach since 2006 (568 trips)!
- These 1.2 miles round trip walks are suitable for children and take about 1 to 1.5 hours.
Our 5th year of CRESLI Seal Cruises in Shinnecock Bay starts On November 16, 2025
We have documented 2,775 seal encounters in Shinnecock Bay (34 trips)
See our calendar for upcoming cruise dates
Seals are typically in our area for 7 months (November through May), however the average number of individuals per sighting varies per month.
Check the weather for Cupsogue Beach
- 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.
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Registration for our 2025-2026 seal walks is required!
Make your reservation via the AVAILABLE links in the table below
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DONATIONS help fund our research and education programs.
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DONATIONS ARE NOT REQUIRED, but are always welcomed and can be sent in advance, or given on site via cash, check, or Venmo
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RECOMMENDED, donations : ($5.00 per adult; $3.00 under 18)
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If the donation page above isn’t working, please go to our PayPal donation page. You can make your donation via credit card (no PayPal account needed) at https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5VYSF7M5XNKEN.
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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
2025-2026 CRESLI Cupsogue Seal Walk Schedule
| DATE | TIME | INFORMATION |
| Saturday, November 15, 2025 | 8:30 AM | See the report below |
| Sunday, November 30, 2025 | 7:30 AM | See the report below |
| Sunday, December 14, 2025 | 8:00 AM | |
| Tuesday, December 30, 2025 | 8:00 AM | |
| Thursday, January 1, 2026 | 10:00 AM | |
| Sunday, January 4, 2026 | 7:00 AM | |
| Sunday, February 1, 2026 | 10:00 AM | |
| Sunday, March 1, 2026 | 9:45 AM | |
| Saturday, March 14, 2026 | 9:30 AM | |
| Sunday, March 29, 2026 | 10:30 AM | |
| Saturday, April 11, 2026 | 8:00 AM |
This year's (2025/2026) CRESLI Cupsogue Seal Walk and Monitoring Reports
| On this day, prior to the group's arrival, CRESLI co-founder, president, and senior scientist, Dr. Artie Kopelman, walked to an area to see and photograph the hauled-out seals from afar. About 25 harbor seals were photographed using a Nikon Z8 with a NikkorZ 18-600 mm lens with a 2x multiplier, giving e an ffective 1200mm lens view. From approximately 1200 yards away, 20-25 Atlantic harbor seals could be seen. About 80 minutes later, as we approached the path, in the distance we saw a small vessel moving slowly and directly at the seals. They flushed. Evewntually we made our way towards the water and were able to see and photograph a handful of Atlantic harbor seals.
Photos are available to view and purchase to help support our work
Here's a slideshow | |
| Sunday, November 30, 2025 | A small group of CRESLI volunteers and walk participants joined Dr. Artie Kopelman on a cold day with stroing south winds. We saw 21 Atlantic harbor seals hauled out onto the 'quinery ' (the level after quarternary) haul out area. About 30 yards to their west, we could see a group of 3 clammers and their small vessel. The clammers' activity caused the seals to reggularly flush from the sandbar. One harbor seals swam past us, the rest remained way out in the waters of Moriches Bay. Over the past 21 years of observations, the seals have move from their primary haulout areas to those further northeast, primarily due to disturbance and dramatic changes in the sandbar. Again, a plea to limit seal disturbance.
Photos are available to view and purchase to help support our work
Here's a slideshow |
LAST YEAR'S SEAL WALK AND MONITORING REPORTS (2023-2025)
- 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 2025/2026 CRESLI SHINNECOCK BAY SEAL CRUISES on the R/V Peconic.
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.