Dolphins in New York in September
Yes, September is one of the best months to see dolphins in New York. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 33 of the 250 sightings logged across the year (13.2%), 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 dolphins in New York
13.2%
of yearly sightings
33
records in September
#3
busiest month of 12
250
verified records a year
August 12%, September 13.2%, October 8.4%. Busiest month is June at 24%.
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 |
In New York, September carries 13.2% of the year's dolphins sightings, about 4.9 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from August (12%) into September, and it heads toward October (8.4%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so September is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The dolphins most often recorded in New York are Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin, Common Dolphin and Risso's 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 Dolphin168 records
- Common Dolphin24 records
- Risso's Dolphin3 records
- Common Bottlenose Dolphin2 records
- Striped Dolphin1 records
Plan your dolphin trip in New York
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 York.
Viator
Broader backupBook a dolphin tour in New York
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 York in September?+
Yes. September accounts for 33 of the 250 verified dolphins sightings logged in New York across the year, which is 13.2% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see dolphins in New York?+
September is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, July and September.
What month is best for dolphins in New York?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and September, based on 250 verified observations.
Which dolphins are you most likely to see in New York?+
The most-recorded species in New York are Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin, Common Dolphin and Risso's Dolphin, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See dolphins in New York in other months
More places to see dolphins