Winter Cruise to the Islands of New York: You Can See Real Seals

Danielle Hallock took a heated yacht on a winter cruise past abandoned ghost islands and saw New York City's amazing seal population. Here's a retelling of her journey, written for Time-out from the first person.

When someone asks me to name the wild animals in New York City, I immediately think of pigeons and rats. Maybe the occasional cheeky squirrel that steals my picnic food. So when I saw Classic Harbor Line's information about the cruise Seals, Seabirds and Winter Wildlife with the opportunity to see wild animals, I couldn't resist. The ticket cost $124.

Animals are coming back

Cruised from Chelsea Piers on the Manhattan II for a 2-hour excursion. I felt comfortable in the heated wooden cabin. Having been on many city harbor cruises, I have to admit that this 1920s-style yacht stands out from the crowd. The glass ceiling, elaborate holiday decor, and wood paneling exude a cozy warmth. The cold weather adds to the romantic sea atmosphere. The free shot of alcohol instantly made me feel like a seasoned sailor.

It turns out that Classic Harbor Line is tapping into a trend that few people think about: animals are returning to the waters of the Big Apple.

"A lot of people don't know there are seals in New York City," said Russell Jacobs, a city naturalist who leads tours.

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Seals are one of the few marine mammals that return to the harbor.

The big-eyed creatures on the rocky shore are a major draw in winter. Sailing into the harbor, probably from Maine or Canada, they only visit the city from December to March.

"Seals, dolphins, sharks and whales come here because the water quality is so much better," said Isabel Stinnett, a senior scientist in restoration ecology at the Hudson River Foundation.

She says there is less low-oxygen water in the harbour, which means more fish for the seals, thanks to a combination of environmental initiatives and restrictions on commercial fishing.

The tour doesn’t guarantee that you’ll always see the animals. As of February 2025, Jacobs said, “We’ve had a 100 percent success rate in seeing seals.”

As the Manhattan II rounds some of the islands south of the Verrazzano Bridge, numerous seals swim up to the ship to peer at us with their curious black eyes. Binoculars are available to cruise ship passengers. I put on my warm clothes and head to the outside deck to watch the mammals.

Some individuals jump out of the water, showing off their spotted skins. And in front of the island, small seal pups hang out on the boulders near the shore.

A fascinating story

Just beyond the seals and their pups are ruins and a disturbing smokestack. This is where officials cremated the bodies of those who died of contagious diseases, Jacobs said. During outbreaks of yellow fever and cholera in the 1800s, infected people were quarantined on Hoffman and Swinburne Islands. Centuries later, people tried to steal urns from the abandoned islands.

Like strange messages in bottles, the tour is full of shocking facts about sewers and curious historical details. The guide explains why the Hudson River flows in two different directions and how cows' milk ends up in the Buttermilk Canal. He shows us a hidden aquarium that most New Yorkers don't know about, and an island where deadly battles between birds and rats take place. There's nowhere in New York City where you can hide from rats, even in the wateriest areas.

Jacobs shows us a variety of birds. In winter, the plankton population increases dramatically, and the harbor becomes busy during the coldest months.

"There's always life in the harbor," Jacobs said.

The cruise ended with the yacht passing directly in front of the Statue of Liberty (much closer than the Staten Island Ferry) and Ellis Island.

Food not only for the mind

Sights and stories are accompanied by warm cinnamon rolls, bagels with whipped cream cheese, and Greek yogurt with fresh berries or sandwiches at the end of the day. Morning and afternoon cruises are scheduled for low tide, when the ocean is best for viewing animals. Keep in mind that the ships will not wait for latecomers.

Classic Harbor Line partners with the Waterfront Alliance, the Hetrick-Martin Institute, and other organizations to which it donates funds. Their combined efforts can continue wildlife conservation initiatives.

Jacobs believes that these tours are educational and encourage a rethinking of the environment. He says, “This is an encouraging time for wildlife in New York Harbor.”