Humpback Whales in New Jersey in October
Yes, October is one of the best months to see humpback whales in New Jersey. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 38 of the 193 sightings logged across the year (19.7%), 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 New Jersey
19.7%
of yearly sightings
38
records in October
#1
busiest month of 12
193
verified records a year
September 8.8%, October 19.7%, November 9.3%. Busiest month is October at 19.7%.
193 verified observations of humpback whales in New Jersey, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When humpback whales are recorded in New Jersey
Peak month
October
38 records (19.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4 | 2.1% |
| February | 5 | 2.6% |
| March | 4 | 2.1% |
| April | 4 | 2.1% |
| May | 11 | 5.7% |
| June | 21 | 10.9% |
| Julypeak | 29 | 15% |
| Augustpeak | 32 | 16.6% |
| September | 17 | 8.8% |
| Octoberpeak | 38 | 19.7% |
| November | 18 | 9.3% |
| December | 10 | 5.2% |
Humpback Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Humpback Whale | 193 |
In New Jersey, October carries 19.7% of the year's humpback whales sightings, about 11.4 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from September (8.8%) into October, and it heads toward November (9.3%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so October is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The humpback whales most often recorded in New Jersey are Humpback Whale. Those counts are annual totals rather than a October split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in October itself.
Which humpback whales you are most likely to see
- Humpback Whale193 records
Plan your humpback whale 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.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you see humpback whales in New Jersey in October?+
Yes. October accounts for 38 of the 193 verified humpback whales sightings logged in New Jersey across the year, which is 19.7% of the annual total.
Is October a good time to see humpback whales in New Jersey?+
October is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of October, August and July.
What month is best for humpback whales in New Jersey?+
October is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through October, August and July, based on 193 verified observations.
Which humpback whales are you most likely to see in New Jersey?+
The most-recorded species in New Jersey are Humpback Whale, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.