Whales in New Jersey in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see whales in New Jersey. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 1,162 of the 10,655 sightings logged across the year (10.9%), 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 June 28, 2026.
Peak month for whales in New Jersey
10.9%
of yearly sightings
1,162
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
10,655
verified records a year
April 8.7%, May 10.9%, June 11.2%. Busiest month is June at 11.2%.
10,655 verified observations of whales in New Jersey, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When whales are recorded in New Jersey
Peak month
June
1,189 records (11.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 490 | 4.6% |
| February | 420 | 3.9% |
| March | 934 | 8.8% |
| April | 924 | 8.7% |
| Maypeak | 1,162 | 10.9% |
| Junepeak | 1,189 | 11.2% |
| Julypeak | 1,102 | 10.3% |
| August | 972 | 9.1% |
| September | 1,091 | 10.2% |
| October | 975 | 9.2% |
| November | 763 | 7.2% |
| December | 633 | 5.9% |
Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| White-tailed Deer | 9,614 |
| Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin | 471 |
| Humpback Whale | 193 |
| Common Dolphin | 10 |
| Common Minke Whale | 7 |
| Harbour Porpoise | 6 |
| Fin Whale | 4 |
| Sperm Whale | 4 |
In New Jersey, May carries 10.9% of the year's whales sightings, about 2.6 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 (8.7%) into May, and it heads toward June (11.2%) 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 Jersey are White-tailed Deer, Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin 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 Deer9,614 records
- Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin471 records
- Humpback Whale193 records
- Common Dolphin10 records
- Common Minke Whale7 records
- Harbour Porpoise6 records
Plan your 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.
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 Jersey.
Viator
Broader backupBook a whale 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 whales in New Jersey in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 1,162 of the 10,655 verified whales sightings logged in New Jersey across the year, which is 10.9% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see whales in New Jersey?+
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 Jersey?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, May and July, based on 10,655 verified observations.
Which whales are you most likely to see in New Jersey?+
The most-recorded species in New Jersey are White-tailed Deer, Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin and Humpback Whale, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.