Humpback Whales in New York in December
Yes, December is a good month to see humpback whales in New York. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 13 of the 142 sightings logged across the year (9.2%), 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 July 10, 2026.
Good month for humpback whales in New York
9.2%
of yearly sightings
13
records in December
#4
busiest month of 12
142
verified records a year
November 7%, December 9.2%, January 0%. Busiest month is September at 22.5%.
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 |
In New York, December carries 9.2% of the year's humpback whales sightings, about 0.9 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 11 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from November (7%) into December, and it heads toward January (0%) after. The busiest month is September (22.5%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The humpback whales most often recorded in New York are Humpback Whale. Those counts are annual totals rather than a December split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in December itself.
Which humpback whales you are most likely to see
- Humpback Whale142 records
Plan your humpback whale 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.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you see humpback whales in New York in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 13 of the 142 verified humpback whales sightings logged in New York across the year, which is 9.2% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see humpback whales in New York?+
December is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though September and August is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for humpback whales in New York?+
September is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through September, August and October, based on 142 verified observations.
Which humpback whales are you most likely to see in New York?+
The most-recorded species in New York are Humpback Whale, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See humpback whales in New York in other months
More wildlife in New York