Whales in Massachusetts in July
Yes, July is one of the best months to see whales in Massachusetts. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 1,180 of the 11,576 sightings logged across the year (10.2%), 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 2, 2026.
Peak month for whales in Massachusetts
10.2%
of yearly sightings
1,180
records in July
#3
busiest month of 12
11,576
verified records a year
June 10.7%, July 10.2%, August 9.5%. Busiest month is April at 13.9%.
11,576 verified observations of whales in Massachusetts, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When whales are recorded in Massachusetts
Peak month
April
1,613 records (13.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 684 | 5.9% |
| February | 624 | 5.4% |
| March | 1,066 | 9.2% |
| Aprilpeak | 1,613 | 13.9% |
| May | 1,073 | 9.3% |
| Junepeak | 1,239 | 10.7% |
| Julypeak | 1,180 | 10.2% |
| August | 1,097 | 9.5% |
| September | 808 | 7% |
| October | 700 | 6% |
| November | 794 | 6.9% |
| December | 698 | 6% |
Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| White-tailed Deer | 9,370 |
| Humpback Whale | 695 |
| Moose | 417 |
| North Atlantic Right Whale | 192 |
| Fin Whale | 157 |
| Common Dolphin | 149 |
| Common Minke Whale | 91 |
| Atlantic White-sided Dolphin | 89 |
In Massachusetts, July carries 10.2% of the year's whales sightings, about 1.9 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 holds steady between June and July, and it heads toward August (9.5%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so July is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The whales most often recorded in Massachusetts are White-tailed Deer, Humpback Whale and Moose. Those counts are annual totals rather than a July split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in July itself.
Which whales you are most likely to see
- White-tailed Deer9,370 records
- Humpback Whale695 records
- Moose417 records
- North Atlantic Right Whale192 records
- Fin Whale157 records
- Common Dolphin149 records
Plan your 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.
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 whale viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best whale viewing area in Massachusetts.
Viator
Broader backupBook a whale 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 whales in Massachusetts in July?+
Yes. July accounts for 1,180 of the 11,576 verified whales sightings logged in Massachusetts across the year, which is 10.2% of the annual total.
Is July a good time to see whales in Massachusetts?+
July is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of April, June and July.
What month is best for whales in Massachusetts?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, June and July, based on 11,576 verified observations.
Which whales are you most likely to see in Massachusetts?+
The most-recorded species in Massachusetts are White-tailed Deer, Humpback Whale and Moose, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See whales in Massachusetts in other months
More wildlife in Massachusetts