Jersey Shore Wildlife
From world-famous birding at Cape May to whale watching and winter seal sightings, the shore teems with wildlife year-round.
Why the Jersey Shore is a Wildlife Destination
The Jersey Shore sits at a critical junction of the Atlantic Flyway, making it one of North America's premier wildlife watching destinations. Each fall, millions of birds funnel through Cape May's peninsula, unable to cross Delaware Bay, creating one of the greatest concentrations of migratory birds anywhere on Earth.
But birding is just the beginning. Humpback and fin whales have returned to New Jersey waters in impressive numbers, drawn by recovering menhaden populations. Harbor seals haul out on jetties each winter. Bottlenose dolphins play in the back bays all summer. And ancient horseshoe crabs spawn on Delaware Bay beaches each May, fueling one of nature's most remarkable feeding frenzies.
Whether you're a serious birder chasing a life list or a family hoping to spot dolphins from the beach, the Jersey Shore delivers wildlife experiences that rival destinations anywhere in the world.
Wildlife Categories
Bird Watching
Cape May is one of the world's top birding destinations. Millions of birds migrate through each fall.
Whale Watching
Humpback and fin whales visit Jersey waters. Seasonal cruises from multiple ports.
Seal Watching
Harbor and gray seals visit inlets and jetties in winter and early spring.
Dolphin Watching
Bottlenose dolphins are common in bay and near-shore waters all summer.
Wildlife by Season
Spring (March - May)
What's Happening
- • Shorebird migration peaks in May
- • Horseshoe crab spawning (May-June)
- • Red knots feed on Delaware Bay
- • First dolphins return
- • Seal season winds down
- • Osprey nesting begins
Best For
Top Hotspots
- • Reed's Beach
- • Fortescue
- • Cape May Point
Summer (June - August)
What's Happening
- • Dolphins abundant in bays
- • Sea turtles possible offshore
- • Piping plovers nesting
- • Whale watching season peaks
- • Breeding shorebirds
- • Terns and skimmers active
Best For
Top Hotspots
- • Cape May Whale Watcher
- • Stone Harbor Point
- • Holgate
Fall (September - November)
What's Happening
- • PEAK BIRDING - millions migrate through
- • Hawk migration spectacular
- • Songbird fallout days
- • Monarch butterflies pass through
- • Whale watching excellent
- • Dolphins lingering
Best For
Top Hotspots
- • Cape May Hawkwatch
- • Higbee Beach
- • The Meadows
Winter (December - February)
What's Happening
- • Harbor seals arrive
- • Gray seals possible
- • Winter sea ducks
- • Snowy owls (some years)
- • Harlequin ducks at jetties
- • Northern gannets offshore
Best For
Top Hotspots
- • Sandy Hook
- • Barnegat Inlet
- • Cape May Inlet
Best Wildlife Viewing Locations
Cape May Point State Park
Birding Hotspot
The epicenter of East Coast bird migration. Hawk watch platform, trails through dunes and marsh, and the famous Cape May Bird Observatory.
Best: Year-round (peak: September-October)
Sandy Hook
Multi-Species
Gateway National Recreation Area with diverse habitats. Seals in winter, shorebirds spring/fall, and the holly forest attracts songbirds.
Best: Year-round
Stone Harbor Point
Shorebird Colony
Critical nesting site for piping plovers, American oystercatchers, and terns. Excellent for close shorebird observation.
Best: April - August
Edwin B. Forsythe NWR
Wetland Reserve
Over 47,000 acres of coastal habitat. Wildlife Drive offers excellent car-based birding. Thousands of waterfowl in fall and winter.
Best: Year-round
Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
Seal Viewing
The inlet jetties are prime seal haul-out spots in winter. Also excellent for sea ducks, purple sandpipers, and the occasional snowy owl.
Best: November - April
Higbee Beach WMA
Songbird Fallout
When conditions are right, thousands of migrating songbirds drop into this coastal forest. Famous for spectacular morning flights in fall.
Best: September - October
Species to Look For
| Species | When | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 🐋Humpback Whale | May-Nov | Offshore cruises |
| 🐬Bottlenose Dolphin | May-Oct | Bays, inlets, nearshore |
| 🦭Harbor Seal | Dec-Apr | Jetties, sandbars |
| 🦅Peregrine Falcon | Year-round | Cape May, bridges |
| 🐦Piping Plover | Apr-Aug | Sandy beaches |
| 🦩Red Knot | May-Jun | Delaware Bay |
| 🦋Monarch Butterfly | Sep-Oct | Cape May Point |
| 🦀Horseshoe Crab | May-Jun | Delaware Bay beaches |
Book Wildlife Tours
Reserve your wildlife experience in advance
Cape May Birding Safari
Cape May
Join expert birders on a guided safari through Cape May's famous birding hotspots.
From $75
per person
via Viator
Edwin B. Forsythe Wildlife Tour
Atlantic City
Explore the 47,000-acre wildlife refuge with a naturalist guide. Perfect for bird watching.
From $55
per person
via Viator
Wetlands Kayak Wildlife Tour
Stone Harbor
Paddle through pristine wetlands and spot herons, egrets, and other coastal wildlife.
From $70
per person
via Viator
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Wildlife Viewing Tips
Bring Binoculars
Essential for birding and spotting distant marine life. 8x42 is a good all-purpose choice.
Time It Right
Dawn and dusk are most active. For seals, visit at low tide when they haul out.
Keep Distance
Federal law requires 150+ feet from marine mammals. Use zoom lenses, not your feet.
Respect Closures
Nesting shorebird areas are fenced for a reason. Stay on designated paths.
Bay Wildlife & Birding
Protected waters teeming with life
New Jersey's back bays offer some of the best wildlife viewing on the shore. Barnegat Bay's salt marshes host ospreys, herons, and egrets. Great Bay and the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge are globally important birding destinations. In summer, dolphins frequent bay waters, and crabbing brings families to bayside docks.
Conservation & Responsible Viewing
Why It Matters
Many Jersey Shore wildlife species are threatened or endangered. Piping plovers nest on open beaches. Red knots depend on horseshoe crab eggs. Your behavior directly impacts their survival. A single disturbance during nesting season can cause nest abandonment.
How to Help
- • Keep dogs leashed on beaches with nesting birds
- • Don't fly drones near wildlife
- • Report injured marine mammals: 800-922-4722
- • Support conservation: Cape May Bird Observatory, Conserve Wildlife Foundation
Wildlife Photography Tips
Gear Recommendations
- • 100-400mm zoom lens minimum
- • Tripod or monopod for stability
- • Fast memory cards for bursts
- • Rain cover for coastal weather
Best Light
- • Golden hour: first 2 hours after sunrise
- • Overcast days reduce harsh shadows
- • Position sun behind you for wildlife
- • Early morning for active birds
Ethical Practices
- • Never bait or call in wildlife
- • If animal changes behavior, back off
- • Don't share locations of nesting raptors
- • Patience yields better shots than pursuit
Wildlife Watching FAQs
Related Guides
Wildlife & Nature Updates
Seasonal wildlife sightings, birding tips, and nature events.
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Ready to Explore Shore Wildlife?
Plan your wildlife watching trip to the Jersey Shore. Cape May is the epicenter, but excellent wildlife can be found from Sandy Hook to Stone Harbor.