March 11, 2026
Spot seals up close on Shinnecock Bay with CRESLI's 2-hour cruise from Stony Brook Marine Station in Southampton on March 15, 2026. Led by experts like Dr. Artie Kopelman, spots are limited at $40 per person.
With recent seal sightings drawing crowds to Cupsogue Beach in Westhampton Beach, Suffolk County families have a prime chance to see these marine mammals up close on the **CRESLI Seal Cruise on Shinnecock Bay** March 15, 2026, from the Stony Brook Marine Station.
The 2-hour expedition departs at 12 p.m. from 8 Little Neck Road, Southampton, aboard the R/V Peconic. A CRESLI scientist leads participants to observe, photograph, and collect data on seal variety and distribution in Shinnecock Bay. Learn about seal species, traits, behaviors, and the history of exploitation and recovery while viewing them in their natural habitat.
Meet and board 30 minutes early at the dock. Cost is $40 per person, for ages 8 and up. Spaces are limited—registration required at cresli.org. Past cruises featured Dr. Artie Kopelman, CRESLI senior scientist, with Captain Chris Winsor and crew spotting numerous seals.
CRESLI has documented 33,104 seal encounters at Cupsogue Beach since 2006 over 566 trips, and 2,513 in Shinnecock Bay across 26 trips. Recent walks saw 80 harbor seals at a Moriches Bay haul-out site.
Co-sponsored with South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO), these outings connect Suffolk residents with local wildlife. Past trips on R/V Peconic delivered sunny, rewarding views despite blustery conditions.
Grab your spot for this family-friendly adventure before it's gone. Check LI Daily for more Southampton events and Suffolk County lifestyle tips, or explore Long Island's best outdoor destinations for more ways to enjoy nature this spring. If you're planning more family outings this season, don't miss the Waterdrinker Tulip Festival in Manorville, another top Suffolk County attraction drawing visitors this spring. You can also learn more about local marine wildlife through New York State DEC's marine mammal resources.
