Cupsogue Beach County Park — Attraction in Town of Brookhaven

Let me start by saying that I don't live in or near Westhampton Beach, so this is not a beach that we visit in the summer (for swimming, sunbathing, etc). We visit exclusively in the winter months for seal watching.

For seal watching in the winter, it is fabulous!!!

Again, can't say what happens in the summer, but in the winter parking is free. The lot is huge and there are always plenty of empty spaces.

If you're lucky enough to have a permit and a four-wheel-drive vehicle, you can drive down the sandy road to the best viewing spots. The rest of us park and walk. It is about a fifteen-minute walk from the parking lot to the viewing areas.

Along the way, you typically pass 50-60 people. I don't think it's a coincidence that the people are extremely friendly. If you're a nature lover, and you're out for a walk on a sunny day, and you get to see seals (outside of an aquarium) sunbathing on the sand bar... well, I'd say there's an excellent chance you're going to be in a good mood!

So what's the deal with seal watching? Well, I believe it starts in late December and runs until late March or early April. On a good day, you can see approx. 40-50 seals. When they come out of the water to lay in the sun, it's called 'hauling out.' (live and learn) So, for the best experience you want to visit at low tide, when the sand bar is above water.

When we have visited, the majority of the seals are lying in the sun on the sand bar like beach bums! LOL

However, you typically get a few that are in the water, swimming, and playing. And by 'playing' I mean playing! They play like puppies. They swim, they dive, the splash, they play games that look like children playing tag. It's amazing to watch!

If this sounds like something you'd like to try, but you're not quite sure what to wear or what to bring, or perhaps you're a little unsure about hiking through the dunes, then I recommend visiting the Coastal Research & Education Society of Long Island, Inc. (CRESLI) website. They organize seal walks all throughout the winter. Typically on weekends, from around 10:30 am until noon. There is NO CHARGE for the week, but they do accept donations.

Though we have not been in the summer, I imagine it's probably very, very nice.

If you enjoy being outdoors, then you know there are many hidden 'gems' on Long Island. This is definitely one of...

This park is the best when it comes to off-roading and harbor seal watching. You can do seal watching for absolutely free and most environmentally friendly ways by not disturbing them. You do not have to walk miles on the beach to see Harbor Seals putting up a show. Rather, you walk only less than half a mile, and you will see Harbor seals. These seals may be well aware of people around them, and they come in good number close to shore. You need a binocular to see them. I have captured a few videos with my cell phone to give an idea how close they are to the shore. As far as off-roading is concerned, this is paradise if you have 4 × 4 with the permit. Burma road is long, and it ends at Moriches inlet. Beach was clean and well kept. Please keep it that way. Driving to this park, the speed limit in West Hampton Dunes is 25 MPH. Keep it that way, or else you will...

One of the best beaches out east! Beautiful, big, and secluded, bathrooms far and need a 4x4 to get back and forth to the beach and bathrooms but it is well worth it if you are looking for seclusion in the heat of summer. If you get there with a 4x4 proceed to back of the parking lot and deflate your tires. Then unto the sand about a mile into the beach. Arrive early to set up camp and plan to stay into the late hours of the night, set a fire pit and roast marshmallows on the other side of the beach where you can enjoy calmer waters and gorgeous sunset views. There is a snack shop / bar closer to the restrooms where the crowds like to hang out. Parking lot is limited. This place is well maintained and, it is by far the cleanest ny beach I’ve been to. Let’s do our part to keep our beaches clean for...