During the winter season, people no longer wile away the hours sprawled along Long Island's coastlines. At this time of year, an alternative inhabitant takes to sun worshipping on our beaches. While most of us consider Long Island a summer haven of tourism, seals reward us with their visits every winter before migrating back up along the New England coast in May. If you're seeking a marine adventure during these colder months, prepare to set sail aboard the Captain Lou Fleet vessel for the opportunity to view these roly-poly, whiskered, winter beachcombers.
The ship sails out of Point Lookout in Freeport on a quest to observe the seals throughout Hempstead Bay. The seal cruises are run by the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation, a nonprofit organization that operates the New York State Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Rescue Program. The Riverhead Foundation's mission is devoted to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of injured and stranded seals, turtles, dolphins and other aquatic creatures. The Riverhead Foundation strives to educate the public about environmental marine conservation and to increase public awareness of what can be done to contribute to the preservation of the life that swims our surrounding waters. Since the program began, the Riverhead Foundation has successfully rehabilitated several thousands of sea turtles and marine mammals and released them back into the sea.
From January through March, families bundle up for a day of frigid winds and winter surf, toting along binoculars and well-equipped cameras, and board Captain Lou Fleet for a two hour tour of seal siting. An educator from the Riverhead Foundation joins the crew, serving as an on-board guide to provide an overview about the seals that are abundant to our winter shores. Passengers will learn about their biology and their behaviors. Four types of seals are typically found in our waters: the harbor seal, which is the most prevalent, the harp seal, the gray seal and the hooded seal. Seal cruise passengers must be prepared to board the ship at 12:30pm, and the vessel sets sail at 1:00pm. The boat’s cabin is heated for cruising in comfort on the more blustery days. To book a reservation for your seal cruise adventure, visit http://www.riverheadfoundation.org
For those who prefer to opt out of cruising over choppy waters, the New York State Parks organization sponsors guided seal walks along a remote strip of beach in Montauk Point State Park. A guide provides an informative education about the geology of Long Island's beaches, the marine environment and the seals, who can often be found gathering and lounging majestically in the warming patches of afternoon sunshine. During low tide, large rocks along the water's edge absorb heat from the sun, providing the seals with a perfect locale for basking in between dives for the flounder, mackerel, herring, crustaceans and mollusks that comprise their diet. The seal observation walk spans three miles and lasts about two and a half hours. For additional information and to schedule a reservation, call 631-668-5000.
Seals are protected under the Mammal Act of 1972. Shooting a seal with a pointed camera, however, is encouraged. Whether you opt to sail or stroll, in addition to dressing warmly for a chilly winter day outdoors, photography enthusiasts will want to bring along a camera that will enable zooming in for some striking close ups of these lovable sea creatures.
The ship sails out of Point Lookout in Freeport on a quest to observe the seals throughout Hempstead Bay. The seal cruises are run by the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation, a nonprofit organization that operates the New York State Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Rescue Program. The Riverhead Foundation's mission is devoted to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of injured and stranded seals, turtles, dolphins and other aquatic creatures. The Riverhead Foundation strives to educate the public about environmental marine conservation and to increase public awareness of what can be done to contribute to the preservation of the life that swims our surrounding waters. Since the program began, the Riverhead Foundation has successfully rehabilitated several thousands of sea turtles and marine mammals and released them back into the sea.
From January through March, families bundle up for a day of frigid winds and winter surf, toting along binoculars and well-equipped cameras, and board Captain Lou Fleet for a two hour tour of seal siting. An educator from the Riverhead Foundation joins the crew, serving as an on-board guide to provide an overview about the seals that are abundant to our winter shores. Passengers will learn about their biology and their behaviors. Four types of seals are typically found in our waters: the harbor seal, which is the most prevalent, the harp seal, the gray seal and the hooded seal. Seal cruise passengers must be prepared to board the ship at 12:30pm, and the vessel sets sail at 1:00pm. The boat’s cabin is heated for cruising in comfort on the more blustery days. To book a reservation for your seal cruise adventure, visit http://www.riverheadfoundation.org
For those who prefer to opt out of cruising over choppy waters, the New York State Parks organization sponsors guided seal walks along a remote strip of beach in Montauk Point State Park. A guide provides an informative education about the geology of Long Island's beaches, the marine environment and the seals, who can often be found gathering and lounging majestically in the warming patches of afternoon sunshine. During low tide, large rocks along the water's edge absorb heat from the sun, providing the seals with a perfect locale for basking in between dives for the flounder, mackerel, herring, crustaceans and mollusks that comprise their diet. The seal observation walk spans three miles and lasts about two and a half hours. For additional information and to schedule a reservation, call 631-668-5000.
Seals are protected under the Mammal Act of 1972. Shooting a seal with a pointed camera, however, is encouraged. Whether you opt to sail or stroll, in addition to dressing warmly for a chilly winter day outdoors, photography enthusiasts will want to bring along a camera that will enable zooming in for some striking close ups of these lovable sea creatures.