• Tule elk silhouetted against sunlight reflecting off of Drakes Bay.

    Point Reyes

    National Seashore California

  • 2012 Harbor Seal Pupping Season Closures

    From March 1 through June 30, an annual closure of Drakes Estero and certain beaches of Tomales Bay is implemented to protect harbor seals during the pupping season. Please avoid disturbing seals to ensure a successful pupping season. More »

Fatal Drowning At Point Reyes on January 20, 2004

Subscribe RSS Icon | What is RSS
Date: January 21, 2004
Contact: John Dell'Osso, 415-464-5135

On Tuesday, January 20, a fatal drowning occurred off of the rocks at McClures Beach in Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County. At approximately 5:00 PM, a 911 call was received about a woman being swept off of rocks and into the ocean. Both California Highway Patrol and Henry 1 (Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office) helicopters were dispatched to the scene along with National Park Service Rangers from Point Reyes National Seashore and personnel from Marin County Sheriff’s Department, Marin County Fire Department Paramedic Unit and US Coast Guard.

A 52-year old Novato woman was spotted by CHP and pulled out of the surf by Henry 1, but was pronounced dead at the scene.

No further details are available at this time.

-NPS-

Did You Know?

Bull elephant seal © Richard Allen

Four species of pinnipeds (seals and sea lions) rest onshore or breed at Point Reyes:  the Northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris), the harbor seal (Phoca vitulina), the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus), and the Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus). More...