Whales in New Hampshire in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see whales in New Hampshire. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 918 of the 6,298 sightings logged across the year (14.6%), 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 New Hampshire
14.6%
of yearly sightings
918
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
6,298
verified records a year
April 10.3%, May 14.6%, June 15.9%. Busiest month is June at 15.9%.
6,298 verified observations of whales in New Hampshire, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When whales are recorded in New Hampshire
Peak month
June
1,002 records (15.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 231 | 3.7% |
| February | 187 | 3% |
| March | 294 | 4.7% |
| April | 649 | 10.3% |
| Maypeak | 918 | 14.6% |
| Junepeak | 1,002 | 15.9% |
| Julypeak | 695 | 11% |
| August | 585 | 9.3% |
| September | 603 | 9.6% |
| October | 403 | 6.4% |
| November | 441 | 7% |
| December | 290 | 4.6% |
Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| White-tailed Deer | 4,902 |
| Moose | 1,257 |
| Humpback Whale | 26 |
| Fin Whale | 7 |
| Wild Boar | 7 |
| Domestic Cattle | 5 |
| Harbour Porpoise | 2 |
| Atlantic White-sided Dolphin | 2 |
In New Hampshire, May carries 14.6% of the year's whales sightings, about 6.3 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 April (10.3%) into May, and it heads toward June (15.9%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The whales most often recorded in New Hampshire are White-tailed Deer, Moose and Humpback Whale. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which whales you are most likely to see
- White-tailed Deer4,902 records
- Moose1,257 records
- Humpback Whale26 records
- Fin Whale7 records
- Wild Boar7 records
- Domestic Cattle5 records
Plan your whale trip in New Hampshire
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 New Hampshire.
Viator
Broader backupBook a whale tour in New Hampshire
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 New Hampshire in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 918 of the 6,298 verified whales sightings logged in New Hampshire across the year, which is 14.6% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see whales in New Hampshire?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, May and July.
What month is best for whales in New Hampshire?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, May and July, based on 6,298 verified observations.
Which whales are you most likely to see in New Hampshire?+
The most-recorded species in New Hampshire are White-tailed Deer, Moose and Humpback Whale, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See whales in New Hampshire in other months
More wildlife in New Hampshire