Best Time to See Dolphins in New York
June, July and September is the best time to see dolphins in New York. Based on 250 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when dolphins are most active across the year in New York.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin · Steven Bodzin CC BY
Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin · tomas_kay CC BY
Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin · Chelsea CC BY
250 verified observations of dolphins in New York, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dolphins are recorded in New York
Peak month
June
60 records (24% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 5 | 2% |
| February | 10 | 4% |
| March | 9 | 3.6% |
| April | 14 | 5.6% |
| May | 19 | 7.6% |
| Junepeak | 60 | 24% |
| Julypeak | 37 | 14.8% |
| August | 30 | 12% |
| Septemberpeak | 33 | 13.2% |
| October | 21 | 8.4% |
| November | 6 | 2.4% |
| December | 6 | 2.4% |
Dolphins you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin | 168 |
| Common Dolphin | 24 |
| Risso's Dolphin | 3 |
| Common Bottlenose Dolphin | 2 |
| Striped Dolphin | 1 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in New York
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when dolphins are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for dolphins sit around 53 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 29°F | 15°F | 3.7" |
| Feb | 32°F | 16°F | 3.6" |
| Mar | 41°F | 23°F | 3.8" |
| Apr | 52°F | 34°F | 4.9" |
| May | 63°F | 45°F | 3.9" |
| Junbest time | 72°F | 55°F | 3.8" |
| Julbest time | 77°F | 61°F | 5.3" |
| Aug | 75°F | 60°F | 5.3" |
| Sepbest time | 68°F | 53°F | 3.4" |
| Oct | 58°F | 44°F | 5.1" |
| Nov | 43°F | 30°F | 3.3" |
| Dec | 36°F | 24°F | 4.7" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for New York. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of dolphins in New York peak in June, when 60 of the year's 250 verified observations are logged — about 24% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, July and September.
The quietest stretch is January, November and December, when dolphins are hardest to find — January sees just 5 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The dolphins you are most likely to encounter in New York are Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin, Common Dolphin and Risso's Dolphin — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see dolphins in New York
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake Bay
- Fire Island National Seashore — National Seashore
- Martin Van Buren National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- National Parks of New York Harbor
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see dolphins in New York?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, July and September, based on 250 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are dolphins hardest to see in New York?+
January is the quietest month for dolphins in New York, with only 5 verified records.
Are dolphins active year-round in New York?+
Dolphins are recorded in 12 of 12 months in New York, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in June.
More places to see dolphins
More wildlife in New York