Viewing Elephant Seals in Point Reyes
Witness California’s coastal giants in locations around Point Reyes at various times throughout the year.
BRING YOUR BINOCULARS
After more than a century away, northern elephant seals returned to Point Reyes in the early 1970s. What began with a single breeding pair near Chimney Rock has grown into a thriving colony that now covers several beaches along Drakes Bay and the Point Reyes Headlands.
From December through March, visitors can watch hundreds of seals gather for the birthing and mating season. Massive males claim territory while mothers nurse their pups along the sand. The best viewing areas include the Elephant Seal Overlook and South Beach Overlook, where rangers and volunteers often share insight into their behavior and conservation.
Seals are also present throughout much of the year during their molting and resting periods. Bring binoculars, dress for shifting coastal weather, and follow viewing guidelines to protect these remarkable animals and their fragile habitat.
