Four Whales & Dozens of Dolphins Spotted Just Off the Jersey Shore!
Location: Approximately 7–8 miles off the coast near Avon-by-the-Sea, Asbury Park, and Long Branch, NJ
Trip Type: Afternoon Whale & Dolphin Watch aboard Jersey Girl
If you’ve been waiting for the best time to go whale watching in New Jersey—this is it. Today’s afternoon tour delivered an incredible experience, with four humpback whales and countless dolphins spotted just a few miles offshore, in the area known locally as the Mud Hole.
While early morning radar had us concerned about possible storms, the skies cleared just in time for our 12:30 PM departure. Nature seemed to reward our patience with an unforgettable day at sea.
🛥️ About the Experience Aboard Jersey Girl
This isn’t your typical fishing boat doing part-time tours—Jersey Shore Whale Watch specializes in professional whale and dolphin watching. Our boat, the Jersey Girl, is a 120-foot, two-level vessel designed for comfort and marine exploration. It’s fully equipped with men’s and women’s restrooms, a snack bar, air conditioning, indoor and outdoor seating, and is handicap accessible.
Our tours are led by passionate marine biology professionals and students who know how to locate wildlife and share meaningful insights—not just point out splashes in the distance.
🐬 Morning Dolphin Trip Recap
The morning cruise was a dream for dolphin lovers—hundreds of bottlenose dolphins swimming alongside the boat, leaping and traveling in large, energetic pods just outside the Belmar Inlet.
🐋 Afternoon Whale Action: Lunge Feeds, Bubble Blows & More!
As we cruised past the Rt. 35 bridge, we saw a black-crowned night heron, osprey, cormorants, and even a mute swan—a beautiful send-off as we made our way toward deeper waters northeast of Belmar.
Roughly 8 miles out, whale activity came alive. We spotted three individually identified whales from the NYC catalog: NYC0146, NYC0318, and NYC0267—and one additional whale further off. At times, it was hard to choose which direction to look!
One whale treated us to lunge feeding displays, while another blew a bubble cloud to corral fish. We saw pectoral fin slaps, surface lunges, and yes—the classic “whale breath” moment (not for the faint of nose!) followed by—you guessed it—whale poop, a sure sign of a successful feeding session.
Every moment was unpredictable and packed with action.
🌎 Visitors From All Over
Among today’s guests was a friendly couple visiting from San Antonio, Texas, who were thrilled to see whales up close for the first time. We love showing out-of-town guests just how wild and beautiful the Jersey Shore really is.
🎟️ Book Your Trip Today—Whales Are Here Now!
Whales are active just off the coast, and our peak season is happening right now. We’re just minutes from Asbury Park, Avon-by-the-Sea, Ocean Grove, and Long Branch—easy to reach, but a world away once you’re on the water.
Whether you’re a family looking for a summer adventure, a photographer chasing that perfect breach, or just someone who wants to relax with nature, Jersey Shore Whale Watch is the #1 choice for real whale watching in New Jersey.
📞 Call 732-592-6400 or book now at jerseyshorewhalewatch.com
📸 Tag your photos: #jerseyshorewhalewatch