Save The Bay will kick off its 2015 seal tour season in Westerly on October 10. Called nature cruises because of the beauty of the fall foliage, Westerly tours consist of a 90-minute ride down the scenic Pawtucket River and into Narragansett Bay. Tours offer glimpses of winter harbor seal visitors as they rest on rocks and shorelines on Saturdays, Sundays, and public school vacation days from October 10 to December 31. Dr. Allison Tuttle, VP of Biological Programs at Mystic Aquarium, will be on board and giving information on the seals during the tours.

For the first time ever, Save The Bay is partnering with Mystic Aquarium on Oct. 18, Oct. 24 and Nov. 15. Mystic Aquarium is a founding member of the Greater Atlantic Region Stranding Network, and is permitted by NOAA Fisheries to respond to stranded marine mammals through a Stranding Agreement. Aquariums Animal Rescue Program consists of more than 250 trained public First Responder volunteers who act as the first response to animal stranding reports. Mystic maintains a rehabilitation clinic at Mystic Aquarium that is specifically designed for managing different seal species during their rehabilitation.

Save The Bays seal tours have taken place for more than 15 years throughout the months of October and April since the seals come into the harbor to feed during those months. Binoculars are provided to participants of the seal tours along with an educational view of winter marine seals in their natural habitat by Save The Bays expert guides.

“I have been doing the seal tours for two years now. Last year we saw a lot of seals but overall it’s a very scenic tour because it’s around the time the leaves are changing. There are not just seals there’s lots of birds, and other animals,” Dan Blount, Education Specialist and Boat Captain said.

Prices for the Westerly nature cruises are $22 for non-members and $17 for Save The Bay members, seniors and children aged 3-12. The Seal Cruises depart the Viking Marina at 19 Margin Street, Westerly. For more information and to purchase tour tickets, visit Save The Bays seal tour website at www.savebay.org/seals.