Whale & Dolphin Watching
Wildlife cruises and boat tours along the Jersey Shore. See whales, dolphins, and seals in their natural habitat.
The Jersey Shore offers incredible opportunities to see marine wildlife. Humpback whales, fin whales, and minke whales migrate along the coast, while Atlantic bottlenose dolphins are spotted year-round. Cape May is the whale watching capital of New Jersey, with cruises that regularly spot whales during migration season. In winter, harbor and gray seals haul out on jetties and sandbars.
First-Timer's Guide
Your first whale watching trip should be magical, not miserable. Here's everything you need to know.
Check-In
30-45 min before departure
Get your ticket, use the restroom, grab a spot on deck. Indoor seating available but you'll miss action.
Heading Out
15-30 min
Scenic ride through the harbor and inlet. Good time to settle in and spot dolphins in the bay.
The Search
Varies
Captain and crew scan for whales. Naturalist provides educational narration. Be patient.
The Sighting
Varies
Excitement! The boat will maneuver for views. Stay calm, follow crew directions, enjoy the moment.
Return Trip
15-30 min
Often more dolphin sightings in the bay. Review your photos, chat with naturalist.
⚠️ Motion Sickness Prevention
Seasickness can ruin a trip. Here's how to prevent it - and what to do if it hits.
Before Boarding
- ✓Take Dramamine or Bonine 30-60 minutes BEFORE boarding (not after you feel sick)
- ✓Eat a light meal - not too full, not empty stomach
- ✓Avoid alcohol the night before and morning of
- ✓Sleep well - fatigue increases susceptibility
- ✓Stay hydrated
On the Boat
- •Stay on deck with fresh air - don't go below
- •Look at the horizon, not your phone or camera
- •Stand near the center of the boat (less motion)
- •Avoid strong smells (diesel, fish, sunscreen)
- •Ginger candies can help settle stomach
If You Feel Sick
- →Get to the rail immediately if you might be sick
- →Don't be embarrassed - it happens to experienced sailors too
- →Keep looking at the horizon
- →Cool water on the back of your neck can help
- →It will pass once you're back on land
Essential
- ✓Motion sickness medication (take before boarding)
- ✓Sunscreen and sunglasses
- ✓Layers - it's 10-15° cooler on the water
- ✓Camera with zoom capability
- ✓Small bag for wallet/phone/keys
Recommended
- +Binoculars (some boats rent them)
- +Hat with strap (wind will take it)
- +Waterproof jacket (spray happens)
- +Cash for snack bar and tips
- +Reusable water bottle
Leave Behind
- ✗Valuables you'd hate to drop overboard
- ✗Loose hats or scarves
- ✗Heavy beach bags
- ✗Open-toed shoes (deck gets slippery)
Whale Watching Gear
Binoculars for spotting whales at a distance, plus essentials for time on the water.
Binoculars (8x42)
8x42 is the sweet spot for birding. Waterproof essential for shore.
Spotting Scope
For distant shorebirds and waterfowl. 20-60x zoom.
Field Guide
Sibley or Peterson guides are gold standards.
Photography/Birding Vest
Pockets for field guide, snacks, and accessories.
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Best Times for Wildlife Watching
🐋 Whales
Peak: April-May, September-November
Humpback, fin, and minke whales migrate along the coast. Spring and fall migrations bring the most sightings.
🐬 Dolphins
Peak: June-September
Atlantic bottlenose dolphins are seen year-round, with summer being the most reliable. Spotted on 90%+ of trips.
🦭 Seals
Peak: December-March
Harbor and gray seals visit in winter. Cape May offers seal watching cruises on weekends.
Featured Wildlife Cruises
Cape May Whale Watcher
by Cape May Whale Watcher
The premier whale and dolphin watching experience in New Jersey. Operating since 1993, the Cape May Whale Watcher offers 3-hour cruises into the Atlantic where you can see humpback whales, fin whales, minke whales, and Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. Onboard marine biologists provide expert narration.
- +Most whales seen April-May and September-November
- +Dolphins seen on 90%+ of trips
- +Marine biologist narration
Tip: See a whale or dolphin or receive a free return trip
$55
3 hours
Jersey Shore Whale Watch
by Jersey Shore Whale Watch
Whale and dolphin watching cruises departing from Belmar Marina. See humpback whales, fin whales, and dolphins in the coastal waters off the Jersey Shore. Convenient location for Central Jersey and the Monmouth County shore.
- +Convenient Monmouth County location
- +Shorter cruise time
- +High success rate in season
$45
2.5 hours
Whale Watching Cruises (3)
Cape May Whale Watcher
by Cape May Whale Watcher
Top-rated whale watching with marine biologist narration
See a whale or dolphin or receive a free return trip
$55
Kids $30
Jersey Shore Whale Watch
by Jersey Shore Whale Watch
Whale watching from Belmar Marina
$45
Kids $28
Point Pleasant Whale Watching
by Point Pleasant Fishing Fleet
Whale watching from Point Pleasant Beach
$42
Kids $25
Dolphin Watching (6)
Cape May Whale Watcher
by Cape May Whale Watcher
Top-rated whale watching with marine biologist narration
See a whale or dolphin or receive a free return trip
$55
Kids $30
Cape May Whale Watch & Research Center Dolphin Watch
by Cape May Whale Watch
Family-friendly 2-hour dolphin cruise
$40
Kids $22
Jersey Shore Whale Watch
by Jersey Shore Whale Watch
Whale watching from Belmar Marina
$45
Kids $28
Point Pleasant Whale Watching
by Point Pleasant Fishing Fleet
Whale watching from Point Pleasant Beach
$42
Kids $25
Viking Village Dolphin Cruise
by Viking Village
Dolphin cruises from Viking Village
$38
Kids $22
Atlantic City Dolphin Watch
by Atlantic City Cruises
Dolphin watching with AC skyline views
$35
Kids $20
Winter Seal Watching (1)
Other Boat Tours
Sunset sails, dinner cruises, pirate adventures
Schooner Zodiac
by Cape May Sailing
Classic schooner sunset sails
$55
Kids $35
Cape May Harbor Cruise
by Cape May Whale Watcher
Scenic harbor and lighthouse cruises
$30
Kids $18
Atlantic City Skyline Cruise
by Atlantic City Cruises
Sightseeing cruise past the AC boardwalk
$22
Kids $12
AC Happy Hour Cruise
by Atlantic City Cruises
Evening cruises with drinks and music
$35
Big Blue Sightseer
by Starlight Fleet
Scenic bay cruises in Wildwood
$28
Kids $18
Black Whale Pirate Ship
by Black Whale Cruises
Pirate adventure cruises for kids
$28
Kids $28
LBI Sunset Cruise
by Miss Barnegat Light
Romantic sunset cruises from Barnegat Light
$40
Kids $25
River Lady Cruise
by River Lady
Riverboat lunch and dinner cruises
Wildlife Identification Guide
Knowing what you're looking at makes every sighting more exciting. Here's your field guide to Jersey Shore marine life.
🐋Humpback Whale40-50 feet, 25-40 tons▼
How to Identify:
Long white flippers (up to 15ft), knobby head, distinctive tail flukes with unique markings
Behavior:
Breaching (jumping), tail slapping, bubble-net feeding. Most acrobatic whale species.
Likelihood at NJ Shore:
Common in spring/fall migration. Often feeds close to shore.
Cool Fact:
Each humpback's tail pattern is unique - like a fingerprint. Researchers track individuals this way.
🐳Fin Whale65-80 feet, 40-80 tons (2nd largest animal ever)▼
How to Identify:
Asymmetrical coloring - right jaw is white, left is dark. Tall, curved dorsal fin far back on body.
Behavior:
Fast swimmers (20+ mph), rarely breach, surface with long, low blow. Often travel in pairs.
Likelihood at NJ Shore:
Regular in spring/fall. Can be seen year-round. Less showy than humpbacks.
Cool Fact:
Second largest animal to ever exist, after the blue whale. Can live 80-90 years.
🐋Minke Whale25-35 feet, 6-9 tons (smallest baleen whale)▼
How to Identify:
Small size, pointed snout, white bands on flippers, small curved dorsal fin.
Behavior:
Curious - may approach boats. Quick surfacers. Rarely show flukes when diving.
Likelihood at NJ Shore:
Year-round presence, most common summer. Often seen near shore.
Cool Fact:
Named after a Norwegian whaler named Meincke who allegedly mistook them for blue whales.
🐬Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin6-12 feet, 300-600 lbs▼
How to Identify:
Gray color, curved dorsal fin, "smiling" face with distinct beak.
Behavior:
Bow-riding (surfing boat wake), leaping, social pods of 10-30. Very playful.
Likelihood at NJ Shore:
Extremely common May-October. 90%+ sighting rate on summer cruises.
Cool Fact:
Can echolocate prey and communicate with over 1,000 distinct sounds.
🦭Harbor Seal5-6 feet, 180-285 lbs▼
How to Identify:
Spotted gray/brown coat, dog-like face, V-shaped nostrils. Round head, no ear flaps.
Behavior:
Haul out on jetties and sandbars. Curious but cautious. Solitary or small groups.
Likelihood at NJ Shore:
Winter only (December-April). Cape May and Sandy Hook are hotspots.
Cool Fact:
Can dive to 500 feet and hold breath for 30 minutes. Pups are born able to swim.
🦭Gray Seal7-8 feet, 400-800 lbs▼
How to Identify:
Horse-like face with long snout. Males darker than females. Larger than harbor seals.
Behavior:
More bold than harbor seals. May approach boats. Haul out in larger groups.
Likelihood at NJ Shore:
Winter only. Less common than harbor seals but increasing in NJ waters.
Cool Fact:
Males can weigh twice as much as females. Called "horseheads" by fishermen.
How to Spot Wildlife
The crew has trained eyes, but you can spot wildlife too. Here's how to scan like a pro.
Watch for Spouts
Whale breath (blow) is visible as a misty spout. Humpbacks have bushy, 10-15ft spouts. Fin whales have tall, narrow spouts.
💡 Spouts are easiest to see against a dark background or when backlit by sun.
Scan Methodically
Don't just look randomly. Scan the horizon slowly from left to right, then back.
💡 Divide the ocean into sections and scan each one deliberately.
Follow the Birds
Diving birds often indicate fish schools - and whales eat fish. Where birds congregate, whales may follow.
💡 Gannets diving headfirst are a great indicator of baitfish (and potential whales).
Look for Disturbances
Ripples, splashes, or color changes in the water can indicate large animals below.
💡 A smooth "footprint" on the water surface shows where a whale recently dove.
Use Peripheral Vision
Our peripheral vision detects motion better than direct focus. Keep your eyes moving.
💡 If you spot something, track it with peripheral vision until you can focus on it.
Spotting Etiquette
- •Don't shout "WHALE!" unless you're sure - false alarms are frustrating
- •Use clock directions: "Whale at 2 o'clock!" helps everyone find it
- •Let others have a turn at the rail - don't hog the best spot
- •Listen to crew instructions - they know what they're doing
- •Share your binoculars with kids who don't have any
Wildlife Photography Tips
Wildlife photography from a moving boat is challenging, but these tips will help you get shots worth sharing.
Camera
DSLR or mirrorless with fast autofocus. Phone cameras struggle with distance and motion.
💰 Budget tip: Phones can work for dolphins close to the boat. For whales, you need real zoom.
Lens
70-200mm minimum, 100-400mm ideal. Wildlife is farther than it looks.
💰 Budget tip: Rent a telephoto lens for the day if you don't own one ($30-50).
Settings
Shutter priority, 1/1000s or faster. High ISO is okay - blur isn't. Continuous autofocus.
💰 Budget tip: Burst mode is your friend. Take hundreds of shots, keep the best.
Protection
Rain cover or plastic bag. Salt spray will destroy your gear.
💰 Budget tip: Bring lens cloths. Wipe salt off frequently.
Shooting Techniques
Watch the Water
Look for spouts (whale breath), ripples, or birds diving. Whales surface predictably - watch where they went down.
Pre-Focus
Focus on the water where you expect action. When something surfaces, you're ready.
Brace Yourself
Use the boat railing, hold your elbows tight to your body. Boats rock - you need stability.
Shoot Wide First
Capture the animal in frame, then zoom. Better to get a wide shot than miss entirely.
Include Context
Horizon, other boats, spray - these add drama. Not every shot needs to be tight on the animal.
📱 Phone Photography Tips
- →Get as close as safely possible - optical zoom beats digital zoom
- →Shoot video and pull frames - easier to capture the moment
- →Clean your lens constantly - salt spray ruins shots
- →Use volume button as shutter - more stable than touching screen
- →Enable HDR for better sky/water contrast
Best Conditions for Sightings
Some days are magical, others are duds. Here's what makes for great whale watching conditions.
Sea State
Ideal:
Calm to light chop (under 3ft waves)
Why:
Calm water makes spouts and fins easier to spot. Rough water hides wildlife.
Reality:
Most trips go out in moderate conditions. Only cancelled in heavy weather.
Visibility
Ideal:
Clear skies, no fog or haze
Why:
You need to see for miles. Fog severely limits sighting range.
Reality:
Morning fog often burns off by 10am. Afternoon trips may have better visibility.
Season
Ideal:
Spring (April-May) or Fall (Sept-Nov) for whales
Why:
Migration seasons bring whales close to shore. Summer is dolphin season.
Reality:
You can see SOMETHING year-round - just different species.
Time of Day
Ideal:
Morning or late afternoon
Why:
Calmer winds, better light for photography, animals often more active.
Reality:
Midday trips work fine - just bring sunglasses.
Recent Weather
Ideal:
2-3 days after a storm
Why:
Storms push baitfish toward shore, whales follow the food.
Reality:
Check trip reports from recent days - crews know what's out there.
Book Tours Online
Reserve your wildlife cruise in advance
Cape May Whale Watch & Dolphin Cruise
Cape May
Spot humpback whales, dolphins, and marine life on this 3-hour cruise from Cape May. Naturalists on board.
From $45
per person
via Viator
Jersey Shore Dolphin Watch
Atlantic City
Family-friendly dolphin watching cruise with high sighting success rate along the Jersey Shore.
From $35
per person
via Viator
Wildwood Sunset Dolphin Cruise
Wildwood
Evening cruise combining dolphin watching with spectacular ocean sunset views.
From $40
per person
via Viator
Some links may earn us a commission. Learn more
Tips for a Great Trip
What to Bring
- • Binoculars (some boats rent them)
- • Camera with zoom lens
- • Sunscreen and sunglasses
- • Layers - it's cooler on the water
- • Motion sickness medication if prone
Good to Know
- • Take seasickness meds 30+ min before departure
- • Sit near the middle of the boat if motion-sensitive
- • Most boats have snack bars and restrooms
- • Look for "whale guarantee" policies
- • Book early on weekends
Cape May: Whale Watching Capital
Cape May's location at the southern tip of New Jersey, where the Atlantic Ocean meets Delaware Bay, makes it the premier whale watching destination on the Jersey Shore. The Cape May Whale Watcher has been operating since 1993 and offers multiple daily cruises during peak season.
Why Cape May is Special:
- Whales follow the coast during migration, passing close to Cape May Point
- The Delaware Bay attracts dolphins and other marine life year-round
- Winter seal watching is unique to this area - seals from Maine visit NJ waters
- Marine biologists on board provide expert narration and research data
More Water Activities
Looking for more action? Rent a jet ski, explore by kayak, or find a marina for your boat.