New Year's Day Hike At Sandy Hook, Seal Nature Walks And More

HIGHLANDS, NJ — Once the holiday season is over, the cold, blustery days of winter loom ahead of us.

Fortunately, American Littoral Society has a number of nature hikes, lectures and seal-watching trips this January, February and March. What's planned:

(All of these activities are open to the public to join and enjoy. Sign up on their website to participate. American Littoral Society is a non-profit that operates out of Officers' Row at the tip of Sandy Hook.)

48th annual New Year's Day Walk - Sandy Hook Jan 1, 2024 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Meet at American Littoral Society Headquarters - Sandy Hook Office, 18 Hartshorne Dr, Highlands, NJ 07732

48 years of walking the Hook! Help us ring in the new year with a brisk walk to the tip of Sandy Hook! Expect to walk about five miles. Dress for the weather.

Seal and Winter Waterfowl Walk Jan. 7, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Join the American Littoral Society for a walk to learn all about our local winter waterfowl and seal friends. We will take a look at the different species, characteristics of them, where to spot them and identifying features. Dress warm!! (hat, gloves, layers, etc.) Maybe we will even get lucky and spot a snowy owl! Meet at Littoral Society HQ (18 Hartshorne Drive, Highlands NJ 07732.

Seal and Bird Ecology Cruise aboard the Seastreak Ferry Jan. 13 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Sandy Hook Bay and the greater NY/NJ Bight are well-known for their abundance of diverse wildlife. Whales, rays, and seas turtles populate these waters during the summer months, but winter is the best time to see seals and migratory waterfowl! Join The Littoral Society naturalists on a Seal and Bird Eco-Cruise aboard the Seastreak Ferry to explore the area and learn more about the incredible history, geography and ecology of this unique environment. The cruise leaves out of Highlands at 1:30 p.m. and returns at roughly 4:00 p.m. Sign up here: https://www.littoralsociety.or...

Seal and Winter Waterfowl Walk Jan. 20 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Join the American Littoral Society for a walk to learn all about our local winter waterfowl and seal friends. We will take a look at the different species, characteristics of them, where to spot them and identifying features. Dress warm!! (hat, gloves, layers, etc) Maybe we will even get lucky and spot a snowy owl! Meet at Littoral Society HQ (18 Hartshorne Drive, Highlands NJ 07732.

Seal and Bird Ecology Cruise aboard the Seastreak Ferry Jan. 21 9:00am - 11:30am The cruise leaves out of the Highlands marina at 9:00 a.m. and returns at roughly 11:30 a.m. Buy your ticket here: https://www.littoralsociety.or...

Wingin' It: Winter Bird Walk Jan 21, 10:00am - 12:00pm

Experience the wonders of winter with the Littoral Society! Grab your favorite adventure buddy and join us for a bird walk. "Bird nerd” and Assistant Director Lindsay McNamara will lead the group, looking out for winter waterfowl, raptors, songbirds, and anyone else on the Hook. We will meet at Littoral Society Headquarters and then head out on the paved multi-use pathway. We will walk for about 2 miles. Please dress for the weather, wear closed-toe shoes, bring water and binoculars if you have them. The Society also has Nikon 8x42 binoculars for participants to borrow during the walk. Let’s get birdy! Meet at Littoral Society Headquarters (18 Hartshorne Drive, Highlands NJ 07732)Cost : $10 for members, $20 for nonmembers Sign up here: https://www.littoralsociety.or...

Here is the full list of their upcoming Sandy Hook walks and seal-watching boat rides in January, February and March 2024: https://www.littoralsociety.or...