seal tours newport ri

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Climb aboard Save the Bay 's education vessel to catch a glimpse of migratory harbor seals lounging on Citing Rock near Rose Island. You'll learn all about the life of a seal, from their migration patterns and food habits to the laws and regulations involved in conserving this species, all while taking in 360-degree views of Narragansett Bay and historic Newport Harbor.

For more than 15 years, Save The Bay has been offering seal watch tours and nature cruises providing the opportunity to enjoy the cooler months while observing local wildlife.

One hour seal tours are entirely boat-based, while 1.75-hour tours include a visit to the grounds and lighthouse on Rose Island.

• One-hour tour : $22 adult, $17 Save The Bay members, seniors, children aged 3-12
• Two-hour tour : $55 adult, $50 Save The Bay members, seniors, children aged 3-12

Tours depart from Perrotti Park at 39 America's Cup Avenue various dates from November through April. 

View full the schedule here

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Discover Newport

Discover Newport is the non-profit organization dedicated to promoting of the City of Newport and its eight surrounding coastal communities. We speak in seasides and sunsets. 

Seals—and Save The Bay Seal Tours—return to Newport

November 30, 2021.

Save The Bay’s Seal Tours and Seal and Rose Island Tours resume Saturday

NEWPORT, R.I. – November 30, 2021 – On December 4, a Save The Bay education vessel will depart from Bowen’s Ferry Landing in Newport Harbor, marking the organization’s 21st season of Seal Tours in the “City by the Sea.” Between December and April, the environmental nonprofit organization will run two types of tours around the harbor: a one-hour, boat-based seal tour, and a two-hour cruise including a stop at the Rose Island lighthouse grounds. These one-of-a-kind excursions offer passengers of all ages the opportunity to experience the beauty of Newport Harbor, catch spectacular views of the Claiborne Pell Bridge, learn the history of the harbor, and spot Rhode Island’s state marine mammal, the harbor seal, in its natural environment. Tours will be held on weekends and public school holidays and vacation days December 2021-April 2022.

“Harbor seals are the most common marine mammal in New England,” said Save The Bay Captain Eric Pfirrmann. “At one time, their population was in steady decline due to human activities, but the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 helped reverse the trend. Following the guidelines of the MMPA, we make sure that our tours stay at a safe distance so that we don’t disrupt these amazing animals, but we do provide guests with binoculars so they can see the seals in perfect detail!”

“While we do see different seal species in Narragansett Bay, we can identify a harbor seal because they are roughly human-sized, with a cute ‘puppy-dog’ face. We usually spot them resting ‘hauled out’ on rocks or in a ‘bottling’ position, where they float upright like a glass bottle.” 

For over two decades, Save The Bay has offered Seal Tours and Nature Cruises during the region’s cooler months when harbor seals migrate south into local waters following their food supply. Save The Bay’s education vessels allow guests to observe winter seals and other wildlife in their natural habitat, all while benefiting the nonprofit’s mission to protect and improve Narragansett Bay.

Save The Bay’s one-hour Seal Tours run most weekends and during school vacations. Ticket prices are: $22 per adult; $17 for Save The Bay members, seniors, and children ages 3-12; and children under 3 years of age are free. The two-hour Seal and Rose Island Tours run one or two times a month and ticket prices are: $55 per adult; $45 for Save The Bay members, seniors, and children ages 3-12; and children under 3 years of age are free. Tour schedules, tickets, gift certificates and more information are available by calling 401-203-SEAL(7325) or visiting savebay.org/seals .

Save The Bay will offer outdoor tours when Rhode Island’s COVID-19 state positivity rate is at or below five percent. Reservations are strongly recommended, and passengers must verbally attest to a COVID-19 screening prior to boarding. Per Center for Disease Control and Rhode Island Department of Health guidelines, masks are not required for vaccinated individuals but are highly recommended for unvaccinated individuals. A complete overview of Save The Bay’s Seal Tour COVID-19 policies can be found at savebay.org/seals .

• Covid-19 INFORMATION
• RESERVATION HOTLINE: (401) 846-3337
• ONLINE BOOKING

Seal Tours & Nature Cruises with Save The Bay

Newport, RI, United States

The perfect boat ride to enjoy Rhode Island’s State Marine Mammal in their natural habitat! One-hour tours motor through historic Newport Harbor and take in 360º views of harbor seals resting on Citing Rock off of Rose Island and under the Newport Bridge.

• Website www.savebay.org/seals
• Scale 5 - 10 people
• From Newport, RI, United States
• To Newport, RI, United States
• Duration 1 Days
• Categories Harbor Tours
• Transportations Car

Price includes

Price excludes, cancellation policy.

The perfect boat ride to enjoy Rhode Island’s State Marine Mammal in their natural habitat! One-hour tours motor through historic Newport Harbor and take in 360º views of harbor seals resting on Citing Rock off of Rose Island and under the Newport Bridge. Two-hour tours add in a stop and foot tour of Rose Island Lighthouse. We also offer trips out of Westerly’s Viking Marina, down the beautiful Pawcatuck River and into Little Narragansett Bay, and in Fall River, Mass. November – April (Newport); October – December (Westerly); March-April (Fall River)

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