Humpback Whales in New York in September
Yes, September is one of the best months to see humpback whales in New York. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 32 of the 142 sightings logged across the year (22.5%), 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
22.5%
of yearly sightings
32
records in September
#1
busiest month of 12
142
verified records a year
August 17.6%, September 22.5%, October 16.2%. 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, September carries 22.5% of the year's humpback whales sightings, about 14.2 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 11 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from August (17.6%) into September, and it heads toward October (16.2%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so September 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 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 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 September?+
Yes. September accounts for 32 of the 142 verified humpback whales sightings logged in New York across the year, which is 22.5% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see humpback whales in New York?+
September is one of the best months. It ranks 1st 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