Humpback Whales in New York in October
Yes, October is one of the best months to see humpback whales in New York. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 23 of the 142 sightings logged across the year (16.2%), 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.
Peak month for humpback whales in New York
16.2%
of yearly sightings
23
records in October
#3
busiest month of 12
142
verified records a year
September 22.5%, October 16.2%, November 7%. 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, October carries 16.2% of the year's humpback whales sightings, about 7.9 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 11 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from September (22.5%) into October, and it heads toward November (7%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so October is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The humpback whales most often recorded in New York are Humpback Whale. Those counts are annual totals rather than a October split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in October 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 October?+
Yes. October accounts for 23 of the 142 verified humpback whales sightings logged in New York across the year, which is 16.2% of the annual total.
Is October a good time to see humpback whales in New York?+
October is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of September, August and October.
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