Dolphins in New Jersey in September

Yes, September is a good month to see dolphins in New Jersey. It is the 6th busiest month of the year, with 61 of the 705 sightings logged across the year (8.7%), 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 July 2, 2026.

Common Dolphin photographed in New JerseyTamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin photographed in New JerseyTamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin photographed in New Jersey
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Good month for dolphins in New Jersey

8.7%

of yearly sightings

61

records in September

#6

busiest month of 12

705

verified records a year

August 14.3%, September 8.7%, October 11.3%. Busiest month is July at 23.3%.

Best months: July, May, AugustPeak season right now

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)

Quietest month

January

2 records

MonthObservationsShare
January20.3%
February30.4%
March223.1%
April547.7%
Maypeak12617.9%
June7110.1%
Julypeak16423.3%
Augustpeak10114.3%
September618.7%
October8011.3%
November192.7%
December20.3%

Dolphins you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin471
Common Dolphin10
Striped Dolphin1
Atlantic Spotted Dolphin1
Short-finned Pilot Whale1

In New Jersey, September carries 8.7% of the year's dolphins sightings, about 0.4 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 6th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is easing off from August (14.3%) into September, and it heads toward October (11.3%) after. The busiest month is July (23.3%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.

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 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 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 tripAppalachian National Scenic Trail

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.

Frequently asked questions

Can you see dolphins in New Jersey in September?+

Yes. September accounts for 61 of the 705 verified dolphins sightings logged in New Jersey across the year, which is 8.7% of the annual total.

Is September a good time to see dolphins in New Jersey?+

September is the 6th busiest month. It is workable, though July and May is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.

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.