Humpback Whales in Massachusetts in September
Yes, September is one of the best months to see humpback whales in Massachusetts. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 85 of the 699 sightings logged across the year (12.2%), 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 July 10, 2026.
Peak month for humpback whales in Massachusetts
12.2%
of yearly sightings
85
records in September
#3
busiest month of 12
699
verified records a year
August 37.9%, September 12.2%, October 3%. Busiest month is August at 37.9%.
699 verified observations of humpback whales in Massachusetts, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When humpback whales are recorded in Massachusetts
Peak month
August
265 records (37.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 7 | 1% |
| February | 2 | 0.3% |
| March | 2 | 0.3% |
| April | 63 | 9% |
| May | 38 | 5.4% |
| June | 62 | 8.9% |
| Julypeak | 140 | 20% |
| Augustpeak | 265 | 37.9% |
| Septemberpeak | 85 | 12.2% |
| October | 21 | 3% |
| November | 8 | 1.1% |
| December | 6 | 0.9% |
Humpback Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Humpback Whale | 699 |
In Massachusetts, September carries 12.2% of the year's humpback whales sightings, about 3.9 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 August (37.9%) into September, and it heads toward October (3%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so September is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The humpback whales most often recorded in Massachusetts are Humpback Whale. Those counts are annual totals rather than a September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September itself.
Which humpback whales you are most likely to see
- Humpback Whale699 records
Plan your humpback whale 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.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you see humpback whales in Massachusetts in September?+
Yes. September accounts for 85 of the 699 verified humpback whales sightings logged in Massachusetts across the year, which is 12.2% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see humpback whales in Massachusetts?+
September is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of August, July and September.
What month is best for humpback whales in Massachusetts?+
August is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through August, July and September, based on 699 verified observations.
Which humpback whales are you most likely to see in Massachusetts?+
The most-recorded species in Massachusetts are Humpback Whale, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See humpback whales in Massachusetts in other months
More wildlife in Massachusetts