POINT REYES STATION, CA - Each year, Point Reyes National Seashore protects its harbor seal, western snowy plover, and seabird populations by instituting closures during their pupping or nesting seasons. This is year is no exception.
From March 1 through June 30, 2021, closures are implemented to better protect harbor seal pupping areas. These closures include:
* The waters, including tidal areas, of Drakes Estero and Estero de Limantour are closed to all recreational water access, such as kayaking, canoeing, windsurfing, paddle boarding, snorkeling, and underwater diving. ( 299 KB PDF)
* Double Point and the westernmost point of Limantour Spit ( 104 KB PDF) are closed to all entry.
There is also a year-round closure of the east side of Hog Island and the northwest side of Duck Island to protect harbor seals. ( 98 KP PDF)
Park rangers ask visitors to respect these closures and stay at least 100 yards (300 feet) away from resting seals outside of these closures. Visitors should never pick up a seal pup. Although they may appear abandoned, seal pups are most likely waiting for their mother to return. Pups are about two feet long and weigh about 24 pounds and are weaned 30 days after birth. If you are concerned about a particular seal, please contact the park via phone or social media.
Point Reyes National Seashore has one of the largest concentrations of breeding harbor seals on the mainland of California with a population of approximately 6,000 harbor seals. Resting and pupping harbor seals come onshore in various parts of the park particularly in Tomales Bay, Tomales Point, Double Point, Drakes Estero, and Bolinas Lagoon. Each year, seals congregate within the Seashore to give birth on sandbars and remote beaches.
Seabird Nesting Area Closures
From March 1 through July 31, 2021, Miller Rocks, Hog Island, and Duck Island are closed to the public. These closures are implemented to better protect nesting seabirds, such as storm petrels, rhinoceros aucklets, common murres, pigeon guillemots, pelagic cormorants, and double-crested cormorants. These closures are in addition to the year-round Marine Life Protection Act Special Closures for Point Resistance, Double Point/Stormy Stack, and along the south-facing cliffs of the Point Reyes Headlands.
Western Snowy Plover Nesting Area Closures
From March 1 through Sept. 30, 2021, the portion of the Point Reyes Beach (aka Great Beach) from the north end of the North Beach parking lot to the beach’s intersection with Kehoe Beach Trail is closed to pets, kiteboarding, and kite flying. These closures are implemented to better protect nesting western snowy plovers, a federally listed threatened species. Kiteboarding and kite flying are also prohibited at Abbotts Lagoon through September 30. And, starting on May 29, 2021, the Point Reyes beach between the North Beach Parking lot and Abbotts Lagoon will be closed to all entry by visitors each Saturday and Sunday and on Federal Holidays through Labor Day. Additional closures may be implemented if western snowy plovers are found nesting outside of this area.
Please visit the park's Pets web page at for information about where dogs are welcome. Pets must be on a leash at all times; the leash must be no longer than 6 feet. Please keep your pets away from birds and other wildlife.
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Harbor seals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and it is unlawful to disturb them while they are resting onshore. Nesting seabirds are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (text and guide ).
-NPS-
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Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
