The elephant seals sit side by side in their hundreds on the beach, almost on top of each other, just like humans. The closer you are to the sea, the cooler it is but the busier it gets. If you find this too claustrophobic - just like humans - move further back where there is more space but it is not so cool. And if you are an elephant seal and are further back on the beach you protect yourself from the heat by using your flippers to throw sand up and cover your entire body, easier I suppose than trying to find a bottle of factor 25. Those nearer the water don't do this.