There’s something truly magical about seeing a plume of water erupt from the ocean as one of the largest creatures on Earth breaches the surface. Whales are fascinating animals that live in social pods, migrate enormous distances, and in some cases, rely on massive amounts of tiny krill to survive, despite their gargantuan size.
Whale songs are renowned for evocative and surprisingly complex melodies, and mysterious whales are the stuff of literary legend. From May to October, whale watchers flock to New England’s Atlantic coastline to catch a glimpse of these majestic mammals.
Whether you’re hoping to see spirited humpbacks splashing on the surface or spot a rare blue whale, there are plenty of areas from which to launch your whale-watching expedition in New England. If you’re staying in Maine, Bar Harbor, Kennebunk, and nearby Rye, New Hampshire all have tour whale watching tours.
- Bar Harbor, Maine
- Kennebunk, Maine
- Rye, New Hampshire
- Cape Cod, Massachusetts
- Newport, Rhode Island
Bar Harbor, Maine
Humpbacks, finbacks, pilot, and right whales frequently make appearances along the Maine coastline near Bar Harbor, along with sharks, dolphins, seals, and a variety of seabirds. It’s a veritable menagerie of marine life, thanks to a rocky shoreline rife with spots for nesting and sunning.
There are several tour companies in the area, including highly rated Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co., which retains a team of professional educators to narrate boat tours.
Kennebunk, Maine
Nearby whale feeding grounds are only one aspect of the adventure when you head to Kennebunk for a whale-watching trip. Casual sightseers and dedicated nature lovers alike will enjoy access to bustling seal colonies in the area, not to mention unique views of historic waterfront estates.
In addition to group tours, First Chance Whale Watch offers private coastal cruises for a more intimate experience, as well as scenic lobster tours to learn about Maine’s culinary claim to fame.
If you’re looking for sustainable tourism, consider New England Eco Adventures, where you’ll enjoy a small group experience aboard a fuel-efficient rigid inflatable boat.
Rye, New Hampshire
For over four decades, Rye-based Granite State Whale Watch has offered whale watching and sightseeing tours with a strong emphasis on research and marine conservation.
Boasting a 99% sighting record for tours, this company frequents the nutrient-rich waters of Jeffreys Ledge, where whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, sharks, and other marine life congregate. Special trips include a Fourth of July tour, complete with a spectacular view of fireworks from the water, as well as a tour of area lighthouses in the fall season.
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
With stunning beaches, quaint coastal towns, and delectable shellfish, Cape Cod is a great place to visit during the summer months. It also happens to be a prime area for whale watching, thanks to the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, a perennial stop for various whale species attracted to the rich feeding grounds.
Enthusiasts visiting the area can take a ferry to Nantucket Island to check out the Nantucket Whaling Museum and book whale-watching tours out of Provincetown, Barnstable, and Hyannis.
Newport, Rhode Island
It may be the smallest state in the U.S., but there’s a reason Rhode Island is nicknamed the Ocean State: 400 miles of Atlantic coastline, including myriad bays and inlets, make up 14% of the state’s area.
While Newport is probably best known for its Jazz Festival, it’s also a great place to embark on an ocean adventure, with humpbacks, finbacks, and right whales migrating south in late fall.
New England Welcomes Whale Watchers
A visit to the breezy New England coastline in summer is a great way to beat the heat and humidity of inland areas. If you happen to love whales, you’re in luck, because summer is prime viewing season, and there’s no shortage of boat tours to get up close and personal with these magnificent sea creatures.