Best Time to See Humpback Whales in New York
September, August and October is the best time to see humpback whales in New York. Based on 142 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when humpback whales 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 July 10, 2026.
Humpback Whale · tomas_kay CC BY
Humpback Whale · Ryan F. Mandelbaum CC BY
Humpback Whale · Lucy Keith-Diagne CC BY
142 verified observations of humpback whales in New York, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When humpback whales are recorded in New York
Peak month
September
32 records (22.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 1 | 0.7% |
| March | 4 | 2.8% |
| April | 4 | 2.8% |
| May | 9 | 6.3% |
| June | 10 | 7% |
| July | 11 | 7.7% |
| Augustpeak | 25 | 17.6% |
| Septemberpeak | 32 | 22.5% |
| Octoberpeak | 23 | 16.2% |
| November | 10 | 7% |
| December | 13 | 9.2% |
Humpback Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Humpback Whale | 142 |
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 humpback whales are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for humpback whales sit around 44 to 75 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" |
| Jun | 72°F | 55°F | 3.8" |
| Jul | 77°F | 61°F | 5.3" |
| Augbest time | 75°F | 60°F | 5.3" |
| Sepbest time | 68°F | 53°F | 3.4" |
| Octbest time | 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.
More on humpback whales in New York:
Sightings of humpback whales in New York peak in September, when 32 of the year's 142 verified observations are logged — about 22.5% of the annual total. Activity stays high through September, August and October.
The quietest stretch is January and February, when humpback whales are hardest to find — no verified records exist for January. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The humpback whales you are most likely to encounter in New York are Humpback Whale — 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 humpback whales 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 humpback whales in New York?+
September is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through September, August and October, based on 142 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are humpback whales hardest to see in New York?+
January is the quietest month for humpback whales in New York, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are humpback whales active year-round in New York?+
Humpback whales are recorded in 11 of 12 months in New York, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in September.
More places to see humpback whales
More wildlife in New York