Dolphins in New Jersey in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see dolphins in New Jersey. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 126 of the 705 sightings logged across the year (17.9%), 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 July 2, 2026.
Peak month for dolphins in New Jersey
17.9%
of yearly sightings
126
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
705
verified records a year
April 7.7%, May 17.9%, June 10.1%. Busiest month is July at 23.3%.
705 verified observations of dolphins in New Jersey, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dolphins are recorded in New Jersey
Peak month
July
164 records (23.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 0.3% |
| February | 3 | 0.4% |
| March | 22 | 3.1% |
| April | 54 | 7.7% |
| Maypeak | 126 | 17.9% |
| June | 71 | 10.1% |
| Julypeak | 164 | 23.3% |
| Augustpeak | 101 | 14.3% |
| September | 61 | 8.7% |
| October | 80 | 11.3% |
| November | 19 | 2.7% |
| December | 2 | 0.3% |
Dolphins you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin | 471 |
| Common Dolphin | 10 |
| Striped Dolphin | 1 |
| Atlantic Spotted Dolphin | 1 |
| Short-finned Pilot Whale | 1 |
In New Jersey, May carries 17.9% of the year's dolphins sightings, about 9.6 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 (7.7%) into May, and it heads toward June (10.1%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The dolphins most often recorded in New Jersey are Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin, Common Dolphin and Striped Dolphin. 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 dolphins you are most likely to see
- Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin471 records
- Common Dolphin10 records
- Striped Dolphin1 records
- Atlantic Spotted Dolphin1 records
- Short-finned Pilot Whale1 records
Plan your dolphin trip in New Jersey
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.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best dolphin viewing area in New Jersey.
Viator
Broader backupBook a dolphin tour in New Jersey
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 New Jersey in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 126 of the 705 verified dolphins sightings logged in New Jersey across the year, which is 17.9% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see dolphins in New Jersey?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of July, May and August.
What month is best for dolphins in New Jersey?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, May and August, based on 705 verified observations.
Which dolphins are you most likely to see in New Jersey?+
The most-recorded species in New Jersey are Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin, Common Dolphin and Striped Dolphin, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See dolphins in New Jersey in other months
More places to see dolphins
More wildlife in New Jersey