Elephant Seal Viewing

Bull elephant seals trumpet to establish dominance during the breeding season.

NPS / A. Kopshever

Point Reyes National Seashore is one of the few places in California where you can see Mirounga angustirotris, the northern elephant seal. Individuals spend only a few weeks each year on shore, but there are elephant seals on the Point Reyes beaches throughout the year. While today you can see hundreds of elephant seals on our beaches in winter, a hundred years ago they were hunted to near extinction.

Northern elephant seals make semiannual visits to the beaches of Point Reyes—in winter for pupping and mating, and in spring and summer for molting. When they aren't on the beaches of Point Reyes, elephant seals migrate 12,000 to 14,000 miles over the course of a year in search of food!

Pupping and Breeding

January is when most of the pups are born. At birth, they are only 3–4 feet long (1–1.3 m) and weigh a mere 60 pounds (27 kg). In 33 days, the pups are weaned, at which time the females mate and then head out to sea to hunt for food and replenish the stores of fat and muscle lost while on the beach. Pups learn to swim on their own, gradually venturing out as they become hungry.

In February there's lots of activity. While some mothers are still nursing, the dominant bulls face off to defend their harems, both on the beach and out in the surf. They align their head and body at their rivals, rear up to show off their chest shields, raise their heads, and "trumpet." This sound often scares off other bulls, but a chase may ensue to drive the interloper off the beach.

Molting

Elephant seals undergo a "catastrophic molt"—unlike other mammals, they lose all their fur at once and grow a completely new coat. Their fur provides some insulation from the cold Pacific waters, so they remain on the beach during this month-long process. The pups molt in March and April before going to sea for the first time. Females and juveniles molt in April and May, and adult males in July and August. In the fall the juveniles return for a pre-breeding season haul out. 

Viewing elephant seals responsibly

Groups of elephant seals are a spectacular sight, but please keep at least 100 feet away from all marine mammals. Bulls may be triggered to fight each other when humans approach, separating a female from her pup or even crushing a pup. Seals have been known to bite or chase people when surprised or approached too closely. Even on a leash, dogs may threaten seals by barking, so please refrain from taking your pets to areas where seals may be present.

Each year the elephant seal population continues to grow. It's up to us and future generations to educate ourselves about the obstacles they face, so we can help ensure their continued survival.

Discover more about the elephant seals by visiting the park's Elephant Seals and Viewing Elephant Seals pages.

Details

Duration

10-120 Minutes

Activity

Wildlife Watching

Age(s)

All ages.

Pets Allowed

No

Even on a leash, dogs may threaten seals by barking or may otherwise disturb the seals by their presense, so please refrain from taking your pets to areas where seals may be present.

Pets are prohibited year-round on the Elephant Seal Overlook Trail and on Drakes Beach.

During the northern elephant seal pupping and mating season (December through April), pets and humans are not allowed on the beach south of the historic Navy installation/lifeboat station located approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) south of the South Beach parking lot.

Visit the park's Pets page to learn where pets are welcome at Point Reyes National Seashore.

Activity Fee

No

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

Location

Point Reyes Headlands, Point Reyes National Seashore, California

Where to look for elephant seals

Elephant Seal Overlook at Chimney Rock – It's a short walk from the Chimney Rock parking lot to the overlook to see the Drakes Beach colony. This colony has the largest number of elephant seals.
Geo-coordinates: 37.9974, -122.9822

South Beach Overlook at Point Reyes – It's a short walk from the Lighthouse parking lot to the overlook to see the South Beach colony. Binoculars are recommended.
Geo-coordinates: 38.0276, -122.9618

Drakes Beach – In recent years, elephant seals are accessing Drakes Beach for the breeding and pupping season. If there are large numbers of elephant seals on the beach, the beach may close. Elephant seals may be viewed from the parking lot.
Geo-coordinates: 38.0276, -122.9618

Reservations

No

Season

Year Round

The peak season to see elephant seals breeding and pupping is in the the winter and spring. Individual elephant seals return to Point Reyes for the molting season in the summer and fall. Therefore, elephant seals can be seen year round. 

Winter

The heaviest rainfall occurs in the winter months. Come prepared for rain and drizzle to possibly last for several days. In between winter rains, it is often sunny, calm, and cool.

Spring

Most spring days are windy. Expect cool temperatures in March. By late May and early June, temperatures can be quite pleasant.

Summer

Although there is very little rain during summer months, there is often dense fog, which tends to burn off by mid-day. Afternoons are often sunny and warm to hot with a light breeze.

Fall

Point Reyes experience some of the clearest days in late September, October, and early November. The occasional storm will start rolling through in late October, bringing clouds, wind, and rain. The strongest winds occur in November and December during occasional southerly gales.

Time of Day

Day, Dawn, Dusk

While Point Reyes National Seashore is open daily for day use from 6 am to midnight, the viewing of wildlife (including elephant seals) with the use of a artificial lights is prohibited. So the viewing elephant seals is effectively permitted from dawn to dusk.

Accessibility Information

Elephant Seal Overlook

To reach the Elephant Seal Overlook, park in the Chimney Rock Trailhead parking lot and follow the path/driveway from the parking lot northeast toward the bay as it descends about 50 feet (15 meters) over a distance of about 500 feet (150 meters). (This driveway is closed to privately-owned vehicles.) The driveway is composed of asphalt, which has degraded and has become potholed in places. The actual Elephant Seal Overlook Trail is mostly flat and about 4 feet wide (1.2 meters wide) with a crushed rock surface.

South Beach Overlook

The steep path with uneven footing that leads to the South Beach Overlook does not meet any standards for accessibility. However, at the trailhead on the north side of the roundabout at the west end of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard is a 70-foot-long (21-meter-long) accessible concrete sidewalk that leads to a small rise that has a limited view of South Beach. Seals may be visible from this location; using binoculars or a spotting scope is recommended.

Drakes Beach

While the narrow, sandy paths that lead from the parking lot to the beach do not meet any standards for accessibility, there is an accessible concrete sidewalk along the parking lot's beach-facing side from which the seals may be viewed. When elephant seals are present, 32-inch-high (80-centimeter-high) K-rails (aka Jersey barrier) are placed along the sidewalk's southern side to prevent the seals from getting into the parking lot. These K-rails may block one's view of the elephant seals if one is seated in a wheelchair.