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Seal & Whale Watching
Majestic whales and sunning seals are among the most awe-inspiring marine mammals to see, and Long Island is one of the top spots on the East Coast to do so.
Whales, humpback, finback, minke, and North Atlantic right are the types you’ll most likely spy blowing and occasionally breaching. For seals, harbor, gray, and harp rest for hours on the rocks or sand.
Best Times of Year
June to mid-September is the best time to see whales. November through May is the best time to see seals, though you might see them year-round in Montauk. Low tide is the best time of day for seals since the places where they like to lounge for seven to 10 hours are otherwise underwater.
Best Spots For Sightings on Land
In the Atlantic Ocean and sometimes the Long Island Sound, you might see juvenile humpback whale dorsal fins, flukes, or lunge feeding. Seals like to rest in harbors and bays, though harp and gray seals sometimes appear on the ocean side. Whales and seals can be spotted from Brooklyn to Montauk.
Whale Watching Cruise Information
Bring your cameras and binoculars! The Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island (CRESLI) offers whale-watching cruises in the mornings and afternoons from June through mid-September out of Montauk. They have over 38 years of experience and scientists/professors narrate each trip.
CRESLI scientists/professors also narrate and lead seal walks at Cupsogue Beach from November through April and seal cruises at Shinnecock Bay from December through April.
Because it’s important not to disturb resting seals – and it is illegal to do so – it’s recommended that you take a guided walk first to learn how to observe without them seeing or hearing you.
Likewise, if you’re on a boat, remember the saying, “See a spout, watch out.” Stay far away from whales and take your engine out of gear to avoid hitting and injuring these protected gentle giants if near them.
Have one of the most memorable wildlife encounters of your life when you book a whale watching tour on Long Island!
