CRESLI 2024-2025 Seal Walks and Cruises
Seal Walks at Cupsogue Beach and Seal Cruises at Shinnecock Bay
By: A. H. Kopelman, PhD
CRESL Seal Walks and Cruises
Our 20th year of CRESLI Seal Walks at Cupsogue Beach will start in November 2024. Join us to observe, photograph, and learn about Long Island's seals.
- We have documented 32,587 seal encounters at Cupsogue Beach since 2006 (550 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
Seals are typically in our area for 7 months (November through May), however the average number of individuals per sighting varies per month.
Hammerhead-right (left) and Horseshoe (right) returned in 2024 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.
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Registration for our 2024-2025 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 you wish to make a donation in advance, go to https://www.cresli.org/common/donations/donate.cfm?clientID=12000.
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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!
2024-2025 CRESLI Cupsogue Seal Walks
View photos and videos from the 2023-24 seal walks and cruises
| DATE | STATUS |
|---|---|
| Saturday, November 24, 2024 at 7:00 AM | AVAILABLE |
| Saturday, November 30, 2024 at 11:00 AM | AVAILABLE |
| Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 11:00 AM | AVAILABLE |
| Saturday, December 28, 2024 at 10:00 AM | AVAILABLE |
| Sunday, December 29, 2024 at 10:45AM | AVAILABLE |
| 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 |
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
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
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.