CRESLI 2024-2025 Seal Walks and Cruises

Seal Walks at Cupsogue Beach and Seal Cruises at Shinnecock Bay

By: A. H. Kopelman, PhD


CRESLI 2024-2025 Seal Walks and Cruises
 

 

 

32,130 seal encounters at Cupsogue Beach since 2006 (557 trips)! 

Seals are seen typically throughout the 7 months (November through May), however the average number of individuals per sighting varies per month. Take a look at the chart below.Monthly mean and standard error, # of harbor seals per sightings at Cupsogue from 2006-2021

Join us this autumn, winter, and spring (our 21st year at Cupsogue) to observe, photograph, and learn about Long Island's seals.  

These 1.2 miles round trip walks are suitable for children and take about 1 to 1.5 hours. Learn from experts and see how citizen science works!

  • 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. 
  • Please be prepared for the weather, i.e., wear warm clothing in layers. Hats, gloves, warm waterproof 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!

  • All equipment will be sanitized before and after each walk.

  • Telescopes and high resolution digital cameras with viewing screen will be available.

2024-2025 CRESLI Cupsogue Seal Walks

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 SIGHTINGS (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)

Best Images and Videos from the 2023-2024 CRESLI Seal Season

 

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 January 27, 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!

https://www.facebook.com/NOAAFisheriesNEMA/photos/a.1841106822794035/2588783844692992/

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

Information on past CRESLI seal walks (from 2002-2022)

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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