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Family Fun with Sea Life

| 8/5/2011

Let's go crabbing

Mother and her calf are never very far apart
Boy with a net and chicken leg on a string

Those pesky little pinchers, who make us think twice about standing barefoot in the shallows, are great fun to catch. But be sure to approach them from behind, or their claws will be ready for you! Pick them up from their crusty mid-section, and you'll be safe. Some "spider" crabs can get as big as 10"-12" across (including their long legs), while the smaller "fiddler" crabs are well camouflaged with the sand and can actually swim up off the bottom.

Exploring the salt marshes

Seals showing off for a boat cruise in Chatham Harbor.<br/>  (Photo from a <a href=Blue Claw Boat Tour)"/>
Boys investigating the marsh from
a boardwalk trail.

Not only beautiful to gaze upon, the salt marshes are teeming with wildlife. Although fragile and often difficult to navigate by foot, there are many boardwalks enabling us to traverse the marshes to explore its hidden treasures.

See more on salt marshes.

Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary in Barnstable

Discover a whole new world under the water's surface.
Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary in Barnstable

Explore the ponds, salt marshes, and other habitats of this 110-acre sanctuary. The path ends with a spectacular view of Barnstable Harbor.

See natural history museums on the Cape and Islands.

The endangered horseshoe crab

Brant Point Lighthouse, Nantucket
A horseshoe crab cannot live without its tail,
so always pick it up by its sides.

Horseshoe crabs are often referred to as living fossils as they have been around since before the dinosaur age. Recently scientists, including those at the Woods Hole Marine Biological Lab, have discovered that they offer valuable medicinal benefits. The horseshoe crab has no known enemies other than migratory birds who eat their eggs. Despite its dangerous appearance, the tail is merely used for digging in the sand and righting itself if it gets overturned.

Learn all about horseshoe crabs at Horseshoe Crab Encounters LIVE.

Limitless beach exploration

Chatham Lighthouse, Chatham
Look, Mom! Isn't he cute?!

Kids and adults alike can spend hours exploring the mudflats and shallow waters of the Cape and Islands discovering sealife including turtles, small fish, jellies and many different kinds of crabs.

More about the
beaches of the Cape and Islands.

A traditional coastal activity -- shellfishing

East Chop Lighthouse, Oak Bluffs
Men clamming the flats

Clamming is a Cape Cod ritual that dates back to the Native American Indians. Equipped with knee-high rubber boots, special rakes, and a steel basket, clammers dig for these bivalves in the tidal mud flats of Cape Cod Bay. Ever hear the expression “Happy as a clam during high tide”? That’s because clams are usually caught during low tide. Before venturing on a clamming expedition, be sure to check with the town regarding regulations and the need for a permit.

The age-old pasttime of fishing

Edgartown Lighthouse, Edgartown
Father and son enjoy a peaceful and bonding experience fishing together.

Grab a pole and fish right from the beach or a bridge, or hire a charter boat and head out to the open waters - fishing provides great relaxation as well as sport for all ages. And, if you're lucky, it'll provide dinner, too! The Cape and Islands are teeming with both freshwater and saltwater fish.

Information on fishing charters

A nature program for kids

Great Point Lighthouse, Nantucket
Cape Cod Museum of Natural History in Brewster

Throughout the summer, the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History in Brewster offers popular programs for ages 3 through 12. Mudflat Mania is one of these programs. Guided by a Museum naturalist, kids will explore the bountiful sea life of the mud flats of Cape Cod Bay.

View more children's activities.

See one of the ocean's most fascinating creatures

Highland Lighthouse, North Turo
A humpback whale slapping its tale as it reenters the water

For an unforgettable experience, head out on a whale watch. Many species of whales, including humpbacks, spend a portion of the year at Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary in Cape Cod Bay. A naturalist onboard will help you learn about the natural habitat of this magnificent mammal. Watch in awe as the whales breach, or leap straight out of the water, and come down with a thunderous crash.

See whale watches.

Exploring sea life through young eyes

Highland Lighthouse, North Turo
A toddler discovers beach treasures

Even toddlers can be spellbound by tiny little sea creatures such as sand crabs or hermit crabs "renting" a home from a snail shell. Young kids love the opportunity to learn about sea life in a hands-on and fun way.

Visit the Nantucket Whaling Museum

Nauset Lighthouse, Eastham
The Nantucket Whalling Museum

You will be awed by the 46-foot skeleton of a sperm whale that washed ashore in 1998. You’ll also see whaling artifacts such as harpoons, longboats, and scrimshaw and learn how the Island came to be the whaling capital of the world in the 1700s.

See other Nantucket museums.

Whale sightings -- an experience you won't forget

Nobska Lighthouse, Woods Hole
Mother and her calf are never very far apart

Just as vacationers return to Cape Cod year after year, so do the whales, and frequently you’ll see a female with her new calf. Like human children, whale calves are playful and fun to watch. The whales are used to the whale watch boats and not bashful about approaching or showing off their behaviors.

See whale watches.

Get a close up view of the seals

Nobska Lighthouse, Woods Hole
Seals showing off for a boat cruise in Chatham Harbor.
(Photo from a Blue Claw Boat Tour)

Climb aboard a boat shuttle that will take you into the harbor to see the seals as they laze in the sun on a sand spit or frolic in the water. The most common is the harbor seal, which can be about 5 feet long. Grey seals are enormous, with the adult male reaching 10 feet long and weighing over 600 pounds!

See boat cruises.

Exploring for sea life under water

Sankaty Head Lighthouse, Nantucket
Discover a whole new world under the water's surface.

Do you get bored just swimming around on the surface? Grab a mask and some fins and investigate the marine world beneath. You can take the kids out to explore on their own, or take a guided snorkle tour.

See Sightseeing & Tours.