Monomoy Island Excursions

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Monomoy Island Excursions

  • 702 Main Street, Harwich Port, MA, 02646
  • (508) 430-7772

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Home » Things to Do » Outdoors & Adventure » Maritime Excursions » Monomoy Island Excursions 

Monomoy Island Excursions 

Monomoy Island Excursions

Monomoy Island Excursions is a family owned and operated business in Harwich Port, Cape Cod, Massachusetts. For over 10 years we’ve been taking people out to Monomoy, a barrier island and wildlife refuge off the coast of Chatham, MA, where thousands of seals have made their home.

While seals are the main attraction on our cruise, there is a lot more to see! We visit Wychmere Harbor, in Harwich Port. This is one of the most scenic harbors on the Cape! We also stop in to Stage Harbor in Chatham, where you get a close up view of Stage Harbor Lighthouse and see Chatham Lighthouse. Not to mention the combination of large yachts, small sailboats, and various fishing boats that fill each harbor. You get a real taste of the sea life on Nantucket Sound.

We run seal cruises several times a day, generally lasting 1 1/2 hours. While we see lots of harbor seals and gray seals, Monomoy is also home to hundreds of species of birds and other wildlife. There is a trained naturalist on board who narrates the tour and can answer questions about the wildlife as well as the history of the island and the historic Monomoy Lighthouse.

(508) 430-7772

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731 Route 28, Unit 3 Harwich Port, MA 02646

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Monomoy Island Excursions

Seal Tours Marine Charters, Sales & Service Private Charters Water Tours Wildlife Tours/Bird Watching

  • 731 Route 28 Harwich Port MA 02646
  • (508) 430-7772
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Experience Cape Cod's beauty and nature from the water. Join us for an adventure on Nantucket Sound as we explore the waters around Harwich and Chatham. Take in the sights around Stage Harbor and Monomoy Island, one of the most spectular natural refuges and important ecosystems in the USA. Our comfortable 43 foot catamaran, The Perserverance, features open and covered seating areas. Our trained naturalist will help spot and identify a myriad of birds, seals and other wildlife. View three of the Cape's most popular lighthouses. Bring your camera and binoculars! Great adventure for the family! Perfect for family reunions, birthday celebrations, weddings and charters. Call for reservations and pick up your tickets at our ticket office, conveniently located across from Brax restaurant. The Perserverence is moored a one minute away at Saquatucket Harbor. Check out more information, posted under Documents (at right) and plan to join us for a very special Cape Cod memory. 731 Route 28 Harwich Port, Massachusetts 02646

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Seals Around Monomoy Island

Seals Around Monomoy Island

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Monomoy Island Excursions - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Monomoy Island Excursion

Welcome Aboard the Perseverance! Enjoy the beauty of Monomoy Island from our comfortable and spacious boat.

Depart Saquatucket Harbor in Harwich Port aboard our catamaran. Tour scenic Wychmere Harbor, learn about the marine activities and history. Ride though Nantucket Sound to the mouth of Stage Harbor in Chatham and observe Morris Island see the seals, sand dunes and 3 lighthouses. Learn about the fish weirs and see osprey tending there nest. Every trip is filled with adventure when you come with us to Monomoy Island National Wildlife Refuge with our trained guide aboard the Perserverance. 1 hr 30 min tour. $36 adults $30 child. Group tours available

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508 430 7772

702 Main Street Route 28, Harwich Port, MA 02646

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The seals of Monomoy are a rare treat seen close up from the shallow drafting seal watch vessel Perserverance. You will glide though narrow channels and into isolated lagoons where hundreds, sometimes thousands of Gray Seals swim and lay out along the shore. And you will spy sea birds and once in a while, the shadow of a great white shark passes by. Some of the best ocean fun adventure for your family. Hours Today: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM See all hours

Monomoy Island Excursions

Monomoy Island Excursions

  • 702 Route 28, Harwich Port, MA USA
  • 508-430-7772
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Monomoy Island Excursions

702 Rte 28 Harwich Port , MA 02646 View Map

(508) 430-7772

www.monomoysealcruise.com

Categories : Sightseeing & Tours

About Monomoy Island Excursions... Enjoy a leisurely cruise to the beautiful island of Monomoy off Chatham’s coast. Narrated by a trained naturalist, the tour offers spectacular, up close views of harbor seals and other natural wildlife and bird species in the undisturbed setting. Private charters available. Reservations are strongly recommended.

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Observing Seals in Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge

seal swimming monomoy island cape cod

Two seal species, the harbor seal and the gray seal, live in the water around Cape Cod . From a distance, it’s often difficult to distinguish these two species from each other, but there are some significant physical differences between them.

monomy islands

There are several ways to view the massive seal haulouts in and around Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge:

  • You can view the seal haulouts on the sand bar along the left side of the harbor inlet from Chatham Light (37 Main Street) at low tide. Just make sure you bring binoculars!
  • You can usually see seals from the observation deck at Chatham Fish Pier (45 Barcliff Avenue).
  • On the Monomoy Nature Trail , you can get closest to the seals hauling out on the refuge’s many beaches.
  • A private boat or a chartered boat tour will take you to the massive seal haulouts on North and South Monomoy Island. The Monomoy Island Ferry operates between the islands and the refuge headquarters from May to October.

Keep in mind that the Marine Mammal Protection Act protects seals from human harassment. To comply with the law, avoid doing anything that provokes a reaction from the seals when you see them, since anything that alters the natural behavior of the seals is technically harassment. To stay on the safe side, Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge recommends remaining at least 150 feet away from the seals at all times.

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monomoy island excursions

Monomoy Island

A remote and notably beautiful island located just southwest of Chatham on Cape Cod, Monomoy Island is home to the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge .  A herd of gray seals , and a fascinating history of intrigue inhabit what was once a sleepy fishing village on Monomoy Island .

What You Can Expect from the Monomoy Island Tour

Monomoy Island excursions can be planned with the help of any of the number of local charter services , including the Monomoy Ferry and the family-run business of Monomoy Island Excursions .

These sightseeing cruises last around an hour and a half, taking you on a winding tour of locations along the Nantucket Sound like Wychmere Harbor, Stage Harbor, iconic Cape Cod lighthouses like the Chatham Lighthouse , and the Monomoy Wildlife Refuge. On the majority of cruises, a trained naturalist provides visitors with insight into the history of the area and its wildlife.

The main attraction on these cruises, however, is normally the wildlife themselves! The amount of gray seals that can be seen swimming along the boat and sunning in the harbors is phenomenal, and many also see peaceful whales and the intimidating great white sharks that call Monomoy Island home.

Fare prices are usually around $30 for children under the age of 12 and $35 to $40 for passengers aged 12 years and up, though group rate charters are generally available. You should reserve your spot on the tour at least 24 hours in advance, as most ticket sales within 24 hours are final and non-refundable.

We recommend bringing a camera and binoculars for this unforgettable tour of an exquisite New England island. Some charters also suggest taking this cruise during the weekend, as they experience less crowds during this time. Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a jacket or sweatshirt are also recommended.

Cruises to Monomoy Island can often also be chartered for private events, such as birthday celebrations, weddings, and more. Other charters have cruises that stop on South Monomoy Island for day trips and walking tours of the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge if desired. There are plenty of Monomy Island seal tours to check out as well!

New England Vacation Rentals – Your Cape Cod Vacation Experts

Contact our team of reservation specialists to learn more about excursions to Monomoy Island and other fun-filled activities and attractions that you’ll encounter on Cape Cod when you book your stay in one of the fantastic vacation rental properties that we offer, including our vacation rentals with pools .

Browse our vacation rentals in Cape Cod here!

[map] [pin tooltip=”Monomoy Island”]41.5640331,-69.9986201[/pin] [/map]

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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service | www.fws.gov/northeast/monomoy/

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  • Ultimate Guide to Chatham Main Street
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General Information

What wildlife can you see  .

  • Piping Plover
  • American Oystercatcher
  • Roseate Tern
  • Common Tern / Least Tern
  • Rufa Red Knot
  • Saltmarsh Sparrow

Morris Island

  • Hunting is not allowed on refuge islands or inland waters. Waterfowl hunting is permitted in the offshore sections of Nantucket Sound. This is west of South Monomoy Island.
  • Dogs are allowed in the retrieval of game or fowl.
  • Leave no trace. Remove all trash while hunting.

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South monomoy island ferry, fishing charters, shark tours.

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A Local’s Guide to the Best Cape Cod Seal Tours & Where to See Seals On Your Own

No matter how old you are, seeing seals at the beach or on a boat tour is an unforgettable experience. These marine mammals are just so cute when they splash around and poke their heads up out of the water, and even while they sunbathe on the sand — especially the pups.

If you’ve never had the chance to see seals or you want to see them again, head to Cape Cod. The outer peninsula is usually teeming with them, and there are several Cape Cod seal tours that you can book.

cape cod seal tours

Get our free Cape Cod Vacation Guide, full of the best things to do in Cape Cod. The best activities, restaurants, museums, events, views, and much more!

Before we get to that, though, let’s talk about the seal species that you can expect to see.

Important Things to Know About Cape Cod Seals

In general, you can see seals on Cape Cod any time of year but you’ll see many during the breeding season, which is between September and March. The peak period is September and October as large numbers of them arrive on the islands. You may see Cape Cod seals sleep on the sandy or rocky shores when they have pups or when they’re looking for warmth. But they can sleep in the water too.

Another fact to know is that seals and sea lions are two different animals. Seals don’t have external ears, but sea lions do. Also, true seals can’t rotate their back flippers like sea lions can, which makes them look like they “walk” on land. Instead, they scoot across the sand or rocks to get where they want.

On Cape Cod, it’s possible to see five species of seals. The two most common are harbor and gray seals, but you could come across harp, ringed, and hooded seals in the winter and spring. Keep reading to learn how to identify each species.

  • Harbor Seals — Born between May and June, harbor seals have puppy-like faces with small and pointed snouts and a definite brow. They’re relatively small at about 5 feet long, and their bodies are light underneath and brown to gray on top with irregular spots all over. Their front flippers have small claws, while their back flippers have tiny claws.
  • Gray Seals — The largest seals found on Cape Cod, gray seals can be 7-8 feet long and weigh more than 600-800 pounds (the females are smaller than the males). The females are light with dark spots, while the males are dark with a few light spots. All gray seals have long, broad snouts. Pups are usually born from late December to mid-February.
  • Harp Seals — Although rare on Cape Cod, harp seals are about 5.5 feet long and weigh around 280 pounds. The pups go through several appearance changes as they age. As adults, they have white to light gray coats with dark brown patches on the head and back. The markings might form a musical harp, which is where the name comes from.
  • Ringed Seals — Even more rare to see on the peninsula, ringed seals are the smallest seals in the area at about 4.5 feet long and 150 pounds. Their coats are typically a cream color on the bottom and dark gray on top with a constellation of rings on the head and back. They have short but strong front flippers with long, curved claws because they prefer landfast ice. If you see a ringed seal on Cape Cod, it’s probably a juvenile that has wandered off.
  • Hooded Seals — Like ringed seals, hooded seals are pretty rare on the peninsula. While females grow to 7 feet and 350 pounds, males can be 8 feet and 600 pounds. All adults are white or silvery blue with dark brown spots. The distinguishing feature is the inflatable sac that droops from the males’ noses, forming a black hood when inflated during mating season or to defend their territory. The males also have a red inner lining in their noses that they can inflate outward.

cape cod seal tours

Get the Full Experience With Cape Cod Seal Tours

To do more than see seals, you can book a seal cruise with a handful of nearby boat tour operators. It’s a fantastic way to get close to these marine mammals and see other wildlife on the waters around Cape Cod.

Monomoy Island Excursions

From Harwich Port, Monomoy Island Excursions navigates the Perseverance boat through narrow channels and into isolated lagoons around Monomoy Island. The island is home to thousands of gray seals, so you’re likely to see them swimming around and laying on the shoreline. The tour is about 1.5 hours, during which a trained naturalist educates you about the seals and other wildlife. Monomoy Island Excursions offer seal tours as well as private charters.

Monomoy Island Ferry

Offering the fastest Cape Cod seal tours around Monomoy Island is the Monomoy Island Ferry . It departs from the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge headquarters in Chatham and has been the closest launching point to the seals since 1989. You’ll ride on the Rip Ryder for about 2 hours, learning about the seals and other wildlife along the way, such as the piping plover, roseate tern, and American oystercatcher. Also, you’ll get up-close views of Stage Harbor Lighthouse and the Nantucket Sound. Seal tours and private tours are available.

Beachcomber Boat Tours

Operating Cape Cod seal tours in bright yellow beachcomber boats, Beachcomber Boat Tours is located in Chatham. Transportation is provided to the boats at Ryder’s Cove. The cruises explore Pleasant Bay and the waterways between Chatham Lighthouse, North Beach, and the break. In addition to the picturesque beaches and harbors, you’ll see seals, birds, and other wildlife. The adventure lasts about 1.5 hours. Several tours depart on a daily basis in July and August months. June and September schedules are not set in advance. Private tours are available and are Beachcomber Boat Tours’ specialty.

Outermost Harbor Marine

For more Chatham-based Cape Cod seal tours, head to Outermost Harbor Marine . It has one of the best launching spots in the area for seeing the seals along the inner channels of Chatham Harbor. The 24-foot boat can fit up to 15 people and quietly moves among the seals as they swim around in the shallow water. The cruises last about 1 hour.

Blue Claw Boat Tours

From Orleans, Blue Claw Boat Tours provides Cape Cod seal tours on the Orleans River to Pleasant Bay and Chatham Harbor. The 1-hour, 45-minute cruises include historical facts about more than seals. You’ll hear about buried treasure and pirates, great white sharks, Native Americans, Pilgrims, and shipwrecks during the narration. The ride stops by the Chatham Fish Pier where the local fishing fleet is hard at work. Off-season cruises are available and may be scheduled.

cape cod seal tours

Best Places to See Seals on Cape Cod

If you prefer to search for seals yourself over choosing one of the Cape Cod seal tours, you can find them all along the Cape Cod National Seashore from Chatham to Provincetown. However, there are several places where they tend to gather more, especially less crowded areas. There isn’t a specific time of day that’s best to see seals, but they tend to break for land in the late afternoon and early evening.

Throughout Chatham

Of all the towns on Cape Cod, Chatham is renowned for having the most seals. They tend to come out of the water in the early evening. But, where are the seals in Chatham? As mentioned, the majority of the seals hang around Monomoy Island , which is about 9.5 miles from the mainland and only accessible by boat.

To see Cape Cod seals on the mainland, head to Chatham Fish Pier . You can usually see seals from the observation deck as the fishermen return home and throw out unused bait. While you watch, you can eat some chowder, lobster bisque, lobster rolls, and other fresh seafood from the Chatham Pier Fish Market .

Chatham Lighthouse Beach is another potential spot for Cape Cod seals. The spectacular view of the lighthouse is a bonus. Plus, you can walk to the south end of the beach to see the Shack, which is a living sculpture built of shipwreck debris that has washed ashore.

Nauset Beach in Orleans

A little farther north, Nauset Beach is a 10-mile stretch of sand where you can go swimming, surfing, and fishing. Sometimes, the seals aren’t shy at all and will approach swimmers. Just use caution because it’s not always safe to swim with seals.

Coast Guard Beach in Eastham

If you follow Nauset Beach north, you’ll come to Coast Guard Beach with only a narrow waterway to separate the two. A nearby salt marsh is a good place to observe the seals in the winter, alongside various seabirds.

Ballston Beach in Truro

Even farther up the Cape Cod arm, Ballston Beach is a quiet stretch of sand where some seals like to hang out. You have to hike a little to get to the sand, but you’re rewarded with unspoiled land and large dunes.

cape cod seal tours

Best Place to Stay During Cape Cod Seal Tours

Located in Brewster, Candleberry Inn bed and breakfast on Cape Cod is about equal distance from one side of Cape Cod to the other. All of the seal cruises and places where seals like to hang out are just a short drive away.

Additionally, you’ll have convenient access to a multitude of other things to do, such as whale watching on Cape Cod . Before each adventure, you can indulge in a fresh, locally sourced breakfast in our elegant dining room or on our lovely patio.

Planning your next luxury Cape Cod getaway & Cape Cod seal tours starts with checking our availability .

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Victim of Cape Cod erosion: Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge visitor center demolished

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Demolition began on the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge visitor center Wednesday.

"We are losing sand here and gaining wilderness on South Monomoy where the sand ends up," refuge manager Richard Nye said, at the scene Wednesday morning.

Continued erosion threatened the U.S. Fish and Wildlife center and office buildings on Morris Island in Chatham, which were about 90 feet from the cliff's edge. The associated septic system was closer, at about 30 feet from the edge.

The demolition is expected to finish by the end of the week. A crushed gravel driveway will be set up at the back of the property.

The visitor center is the latest structure to be removed. In early March, Nye estimated some areas near the parking lot had lost about 30 feet per year to erosion. A National Weather Service station, refuge dormitory and bathroom facility were all removed previously.

The visitor center had been there for about 50 years.

Photographer Stephen Heaslip and reporter Eric Williams contributed to this story.

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  1. Monomoy Island Excursions

    monomoy island excursions

  2. Monomoy Island Excursions (Harwich Port)

    monomoy island excursions

  3. Monomoy Island Excursions

    monomoy island excursions

  4. Massachusetts Monomoy Island Boat Tour Is Perfect For Summer

    monomoy island excursions

  5. Monomoy Island Excursions

    monomoy island excursions

  6. Monomoy Island Excursions Chatham Massachusetts, Cape Cod Vacation, How

    monomoy island excursions

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  1. Cape Cod Beaches

  2. Dramatic Seal Rescue on Monomoy Island

  3. Morris Island and Monomoy at Chatham, Cape Cod Aerial Tour

COMMENTS

  1. Welcome to Monomoy Island Excursion

    Monomoy Island Excursions is a family owned and operated business in Harwich Port, Cape Cod, Massachussets. For over 10 years we've been taking people out to Monomoy, a barrier island and wildlife refuge off the coast of Chatham,MA, where thousands of seals have made their home. While seals are the main attraction on our cruise, there is a ...

  2. Monomoy Island Excursions

    Monomoy Island Excursions. The seals of Monomoy are a rare treat seen close up from the shallow drafting seal watch vessel Perserverance. You will glide though narrow channels and into isolated lagoons where hundreds, sometimes thousands of Gray Seals swim and lay out along the shore. And you will spy sea birds and once in a while, the shadow ...

  3. Excursions

    Excursions. Contact Us. 508-430-7772. 731 Route 28, Unit 3. Harwich Port, MA 02646. [email protected] Book Now! Facebook Feed. Monomoy Island Excursions.

  4. Monomoy Island Excursions

    Monomoy Island Excursions. 702 Main Street, Harwich Port, MA, 02646. (508) 430-7772. Make a Reservation Visit Website.

  5. Monomoy Island Excursions

    Monomoy Island Excursions is a family-owned and operated business in Harwich Port, Cape Cod, Massachusetts. For over 10 years they've been taking people out to Monomoy, a barrier island and wildlife refuge off the coast of Chatham, where thousands of seals have made their home. While seals are the main attraction, there is a lot more to see!

  6. Monomoy Island Excursions

    There is a trained naturalist on board who narrates the tour and can answer questions about the wildlife as well as the history of the island and the historic Monomoy Lighthouse. (508) 430-7772. Visit Website. 731 Route 28, Unit 3 Harwich Port, MA 02646. Download Guide.

  7. Monomoy Island Excursions

    Monomoy Island Excursions. Categories. Seal Tours Marine Charters, Sales & Service Private Charters Water Tours Wildlife Tours/Bird Watching . 731 Route 28 Harwich Port MA 02646 (508) 430-7772; Send Email; Visit Website; About Us. Experience Cape Cod's beauty and nature from the water. Join us for an adventure on Nantucket Sound as we explore ...

  8. Monomoy Island Excursions

    166 reviews. #2 of 10 Outdoor Activities in Harwich Port. Boat Tours. Open now. 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Write a review. See all photos. About. The seals of Monomoy are a rare treat seen close up from the shallow drafting seal watch vessel Perserverance.

  9. Monomoy Island Excursion

    Monomoy Island Excursion. 508 430 7772. 702 Main Street Route 28, Harwich Port, MA 02646.

  10. Monomoy Island Excursions

    About Monomoy Island Excursions The seals of Monomoy are a rare treat seen close up from the shallow drafting seal watch vessel Perserverance. You will glide though narrow channels and into isolated lagoons where hundreds, sometimes thousands of Gray Seals swim and lay out along the shore. And you will spy sea birds and once in a while, the ...

  11. Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge On Morris Island

    May 9, 2022. For scenery, birds and beach that are quintessential Cape Cod, visit the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge visitor center on Morris Island. Take a hike through the woods, marsh, dunes and along the beach to get the full Morris Island experience. The visitor center has educational and interactive displays describing the nature and ...

  12. Monomoy Island Excursions

    HomeVacation PlannerHarwichActivities Monomoy Island Excursions. Monomoy Island Excursions. 702 Rte 28Harwich Port, MA02646 View Map. (508) 430-7772. www.monomoysealcruise.com.

  13. Monomoy Island Seals

    Weigh upwards of 750 pounds. Wide-set nostrils that form a "W". Gray body with a white belly and random spots. For these seals, the mating season lasts from September to March each year. In September and October, a very large number of seals " haul out " at Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge. As many as 50,000 seals visit the Cape at this ...

  14. Seal Cruises

    SEAL CRUISE. Fee for this 2 hour adventure is $350.00 for a private tour. Maximum 6 persons. Call 774-722-1336 for reservations. OTHER TOURS available on request. Sunset cruise. Private Charters 1/2 and Full Day. Fishing. Lunch cruise to Sundancer's Bass River.

  15. Monomoy Island Excursions & Seal Tours

    Monomoy Island excursions can be planned with the help of any of the number of local charter services, including the Monomoy Ferry and the family-run business of Monomoy Island Excursions. These sightseeing cruises last around an hour and a half, taking you on a winding tour of locations along the Nantucket Sound like Wychmere Harbor, Stage ...

  16. Monomoy Island Excursions

    Monomoy Island Excursions, Harwich Port. 2,295 likes · 2,008 were here. Open mid April through November

  17. A Short Guide to Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge

    Seal Tours head out to Monomoy Island and the shoals where seals like to congregate, often in the hundreds. Once heavily hunted but now under protection, the gray seal population has rebounded and thrives here, prey mainly to the sharks that also now abound. For a seal tour in an open boat to see these impressive creatures hauled out on the bar ...

  18. A Local's Guide to the Best Cape Cod Seal Tours & Where to See Seals On

    Monomoy Island Excursions offer seal tours as well as private charters. Monomoy Island Ferry. Offering the fastest Cape Cod seal tours around Monomoy Island is the Monomoy Island Ferry. It departs from the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge headquarters in Chatham and has been the closest launching point to the seals since 1989. You'll ride on ...

  19. Monomoy refuge visitor center demolition begins in Chatham

    0:50. Demolition began on the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge visitor center Wednesday. "We are losing sand here and gaining wilderness on South Monomoy where the sand ends up," refuge manager ...