Dolphins in Massachusetts in December
Yes, December is one of the best months to see dolphins in Massachusetts. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 32 of the 324 sightings logged across the year (9.9%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Peak month for dolphins in Massachusetts
9.9%
of yearly sightings
32
records in December
#3
busiest month of 12
324
verified records a year
November 11.4%, December 9.9%, January 5.2%. Busiest month is August at 15.7%.
324 verified observations of dolphins in Massachusetts, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dolphins are recorded in Massachusetts
Peak month
August
51 records (15.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 17 | 5.2% |
| February | 12 | 3.7% |
| March | 16 | 4.9% |
| April | 27 | 8.3% |
| May | 28 | 8.6% |
| June | 23 | 7.1% |
| July | 31 | 9.6% |
| Augustpeak | 51 | 15.7% |
| September | 24 | 7.4% |
| October | 26 | 8% |
| Novemberpeak | 37 | 11.4% |
| Decemberpeak | 32 | 9.9% |
Dolphins you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Dolphin | 149 |
| Atlantic White-sided Dolphin | 89 |
| Common Bottlenose Dolphin | 9 |
| Long-finned Pilot Whale | 9 |
| Risso's Dolphin | 3 |
| Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin | 2 |
| Short-finned Pilot Whale | 1 |
In Massachusetts, December carries 9.9% of the year's dolphins sightings, about 1.6 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from November (11.4%) into December, and it heads toward January (5.2%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so December is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The dolphins most often recorded in Massachusetts are Common Dolphin, Atlantic White-sided Dolphin and Common Bottlenose Dolphin. Those counts are annual totals rather than a December split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in December itself.
Which dolphins you are most likely to see
- Common Dolphin149 records
- Atlantic White-sided Dolphin89 records
- Common Bottlenose Dolphin9 records
- Long-finned Pilot Whale9 records
- Risso's Dolphin3 records
- Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin2 records
Plan your dolphin trip in Massachusetts
Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main dolphin viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best dolphin viewing area in Massachusetts.
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Broader backupBook a dolphin tour in Massachusetts
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see dolphins in Massachusetts in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 32 of the 324 verified dolphins sightings logged in Massachusetts across the year, which is 9.9% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see dolphins in Massachusetts?+
December is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of August, November and December.
What month is best for dolphins in Massachusetts?+
August is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through August, November and December, based on 324 verified observations.
Which dolphins are you most likely to see in Massachusetts?+
The most-recorded species in Massachusetts are Common Dolphin, Atlantic White-sided Dolphin and Common Bottlenose Dolphin, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See dolphins in Massachusetts in other months
More wildlife in Massachusetts