Viewing Elephant Seals

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Click on the following links to find out more about viewing opportunities for these species and to learn about their habitats and behaviors:

Birds ¦ Coho Salmon ¦ Elephant Seals ¦ Tule Elk ¦ Whales

 

Bull Elephant Seal

After being absent for more than 150 years, elephant seals returned to the sandy Point Reyes Headlands in the early 1970s. In 1981, the first breeding pair was discovered near Chimney Rock. Since then, researchers have found that the colony is growing at a dramatic annual average rate of 16 percent. Fanning out from their initial secluded spot, the seals have expanded to popular beaches.

From December through March, a breeding colony of elephant seals can be observed from Elephant Seal Overlook near Chimney Rock, above beautiful Drakes Bay. The males are the first to arrive here, in December, to stake out a claim on the beach. Then pregnant females begin to arrive and soon give birth to a single pup. Subadult and juvenile animals arrive and the Drakes Beach colony can number close to nine hundred animals.

 

Males, females, juveniles, and/or pups are visible at Point Reyes at various times throughout the year.

From the Overlook you can witness the fascinating behavior of these animals, including male dominance contests, birthing of pups, and the interactions of mothers and pups. You will hear the distinctive vocalizations of females and pups, as well as the powerful trumpeting of the adult males (referred to as "bulls"), which can be heard for over a mile.

Check out our Weekly Elephant Seal updates to learn the latest news.

During weekends and holidays, highly trained docents staff the Elephant Seal Overlook. They have binoculars, spotting scopes, and a wealth of information to share with you.

For more information, check out our Elephant Seals page, the Pacific Coast Science and Learning Center's Elephant Seals web page, or our Elephant Seals Resource Newsletter (1,284 KB PDF).

 

Winter Shuttle Bus System

Due to the high volume of traffic out to the Lighthouse and Chimney Rock areas during the elephant seal pupping and mating season and the gray whale migration, the park will be operating a shuttle bus system from the Drakes Beach parking lot (usually from New Year's to Easter each year on weekends and holidays—weather permitting). Sir Francis Drake Boulevard from South Beach to the Lighthouse and Chimney Rock areas WILL BE CLOSED during shuttle operating hours. Check the "Shuttles, Whales, and Elephant Seals" recording at 415-464-5100 x2 x3 x1 for updates on whether shuttles are operating.

Please note: Due to the Lighthouse Restoration Project, the shuttle bus will not be stopping in the lighthouse area for the majority of the 2018–2019 shuttle bus season.

 

Seal viewing tips

• For your own safety, always observe elephant seals from a distance. Use binoculars, telephoto lenses, and spotting scopes for a better view of the animals. If a seal becomes alert or nervous and begins to move away, you are too close.
• Stay at least 50 yards (46 meters) from any marine mammal.
• Do not come between a cow and pup, a bull and a group of cows, or two bulls challenging each other.
• Watch quietly; whisper. Move slowly.
• Limit overall viewing time to no more than 30 minutes.
• Avoid abrupt movements or loud noises around marine mammals
• Move away cautiously if behaviors are observed that indicate the animal is stressed.
• Avoid touching or swimming with wild marine mammals, even if they approach you.
• Bring your pets only where they are allowed.
• Observe beach closures and restrictions.

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Feeding or Harassing Marine Mammals in the Wild is Illegal and Harmful to the Animals

Why is it illegal to feed, attempt to feed, or harass marine mammals in the wild?

Feeding, attempting to feed, and harassment of marine mammals in the wild by anyone is prohibited by regulations enacted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Feeding, attempting to feed, or otherwise harassing marine mammals in the wild was made illegal because it is harmful to the animals in the following ways:

• It causes marine mammals to lose their natural wariness of humans or boats and become conditioned to receiving handouts and associate people with food.
• It changes their natural behaviors, including feeding and migration activities, and decreases their willingness to forage for food on their own. They may also begin to take bait/catch from fishing gear. These changed behaviors may be passed on to their young and other members of their social groups and increases their risk of injury from boats, entanglement in fishing gear, and intentional harm by people frustrated with the behavioral changes.
• Some of the items that are fed to marine mammals may be contaminated (old or spoiled) or not food at all. Feeding marine mammals inappropriate food, non-food items, or contaminated food jeopardizes their health.
• Marine mammals sometimes become aggressive when seeking food, and are known to bite or injure people when teased or expecting food.

How is "harassment" defined under the Marine Mammal Protection Act?

Harassment means any act of pursuit, torment, or annoyance that has the potential to injure a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild (Level A harassment); or that has the potential to disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild by causing disruption of behavioral patterns, including, but not limited to, migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or sheltering, but does not have the potential to injure a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild (Level B harassment).

More information on this topic may be found on the National Marine Fisheries Service's Frequent Questions – Feeding or Harassing Marine Mammals in the Wild page.

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Seasonal Closures:

From December 15 to March 31, the following areas are closed to all entry in order to better protect nursing elephant seal pups:

• the southern end of South Point Reyes Beach (as signed) to the Lighthouse;
• the beach from the Chimney Rock Lifeboat Station to Chimney Rock; and
• the road leading from the gate at the end of the Chimney Rock Road to the Fish Dock area, including immediately adjacent beaches. (Map - 301 KB PDF)

Drakes Beach Temporary Beach Closure - Dates for the 2019 elephant seal pupping season have yet to be determined. The dates in 2018 were from January 13 through March 15.
A temporary closure of Drakes Beach starting at the southern edge of the cove in front of the Ken Patrick Visitor Center and continuing south to the current permanent elephant seal closure was in effect to better protect elephant seals from disturbance during the pupping season when they are exceptionally vulnerable. All public use was prohibited.
Determination of Temporary Closure - January 27, 2018, through March 15, 2018 - signed on January 25, 2018 (65 KB PDF)
Map of Drakes Beach Temporary Closure (123 KB PDF)

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