Best Time to See Whales in New York
June, September and July is the best time to see whales in New York. Based on 462 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when 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 June 28, 2026.
Sperm Whale · Zihao Wang CC BY
Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin · Steven Bodzin CC BY
Humpback Whale · tomas_kay CC BY
462 verified observations of whales in New York, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When whales are recorded in New York
Peak month
June
78 records (16.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 13 | 2.8% |
| February | 12 | 2.6% |
| March | 18 | 3.9% |
| April | 25 | 5.4% |
| May | 29 | 6.3% |
| Junepeak | 78 | 16.9% |
| Julypeak | 63 | 13.6% |
| August | 61 | 13.2% |
| Septemberpeak | 69 | 14.9% |
| October | 48 | 10.4% |
| November | 18 | 3.9% |
| December | 28 | 6.1% |
Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin | 178 |
| Humpback Whale | 143 |
| Common Dolphin | 28 |
| Common Minke Whale | 15 |
| Harbour Porpoise | 8 |
| Sperm Whale | 6 |
| Fin Whale | 5 |
| Sei Whale | 4 |
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 whales are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for whales sit around 53 to 77 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" |
| Junbest time | 72°F | 55°F | 3.8" |
| Julbest time | 77°F | 61°F | 5.3" |
| Aug | 75°F | 60°F | 5.3" |
| Sepbest time | 68°F | 53°F | 3.4" |
| Oct | 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.
Sightings of whales in New York peak in June, when 78 of the year's 462 verified observations are logged — about 16.9% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, September and July.
The quietest stretch is February, January and March, when whales are hardest to find — February sees just 12 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The whales you are most likely to encounter in New York are Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin, Humpback Whale and Common Dolphin — 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 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 whales in New York?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, September and July, based on 462 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are whales hardest to see in New York?+
February is the quietest month for whales in New York, with only 12 verified records.
Are whales active year-round in New York?+
Whales are recorded in 12 of 12 months in New York, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in June.
More places to see whales
More wildlife in New York