The South Shore's Hidden Seal-Watching Gem

Freeport is well-know for its nightlife along the Nautical Mile. But these days, there's something else the village is becoming well-known for: seal watching.

The Village of Freeport is a hidden gem along the South Shore for seal watching. Most people think they have to head out to Montauk to enjoy Long Island's aquatic wildlife. But you can take in the beauty of nature (and the cuteness of seals) from groups in Freeport.

Seals are coming to Long Island's shores more often to mate and give birth in our relatively safe waters. That means, for many months, there are prime times for enthusiasts to go seal watching.

There are two different companies that offer seal watching tours from Freeport: the Captain Lou Fleet and Freeport Water Taxi.

Captain Lou offers two-hour long seal watching tours every weekend from now until mid-April, as well as on some holidays. The tours launch from Freeport, and every tour has a naturalist on board to talk about the seals, and any other wildlife the tour may encounter. The tour goes around Hempstead Bay, and is $30 for adults and $20 for kids 12 and under. It's important to dress warm when out on the water, but the boats do have a heated cabin, so you can take shelter when the seals aren't around.

If you want to wait for slightly warmer weather, you can also schedule a tour with Freeport Water Taxi, which kicks off its seal watching tours in March. Freeport Water Taxi offers two-hour long weekend tours in March and April, and can book private seal-watching tours any day of the week. Seal-watching tours are a $25 for adults and $15 for children. Infants are free.

You can book seal watching tours with both the Captain Lou Fleet and Freeport Water Taxi right now.

Photo: David McNew/Getty Images News/Getty Images