Dolphins in Massachusetts in November

Yes, November is one of the best months to see dolphins in Massachusetts. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 37 of the 324 sightings logged across the year (11.4%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.

Atlantic White-sided Dolphin photographed in MassachusettsCommon Dolphin photographed in MassachusettsCommon Dolphin photographed in Massachusetts
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Peak month for dolphins in Massachusetts

11.4%

of yearly sightings

37

records in November

#2

busiest month of 12

324

verified records a year

October 8%, November 11.4%, December 9.9%. Busiest month is August at 15.7%.

Best months: August, November, December

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)

Quietest month

February

12 records

MonthObservationsShare
January175.2%
February123.7%
March164.9%
April278.3%
May288.6%
June237.1%
July319.6%
Augustpeak5115.7%
September247.4%
October268%
Novemberpeak3711.4%
Decemberpeak329.9%

Dolphins you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Common Dolphin149
Atlantic White-sided Dolphin89
Common Bottlenose Dolphin9
Long-finned Pilot Whale9
Risso's Dolphin3
Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin2
Short-finned Pilot Whale1

In Massachusetts, November carries 11.4% of the year's dolphins sightings, about 3.1 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is rising from October (8%) into November, and it heads toward December (9.9%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so November 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 November split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in November 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 tripAppalachian National Scenic Trail

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.

Frequently asked questions

Can you see dolphins in Massachusetts in November?+

Yes. November accounts for 37 of the 324 verified dolphins sightings logged in Massachusetts across the year, which is 11.4% of the annual total.

Is November a good time to see dolphins in Massachusetts?+

November is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd 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.