Monday, August 24, 2026 Whale Watching Trip Report
What an absolutely beautiful Jersey Shore summer day!
We headed north along the coastline, passing Avon-by-the-Sea and Bradley Beach, and as we reached Asbury Park we spotted dolphins right in front of Convention Hall. We turned the Jersey Girl around and spent about 10 to 15 minutes watching them before continuing north past Deal, Long Branch, Sea Bright and Monmouth Beach toward Sandy Hook National Park.
And that is where things really got exciting.
We encountered two humpback whales traveling and feeding together, and while we were watching them, we spotted a third humpback whale in the distance. The pair put on a fantastic show, repeatedly coming through the surface together and lunge feeding side by side. Everyone aboard was oohing and aahing and having a great time.
We stayed with the pair for quite a while before beginning our trip home. Then our captain spotted that third whale again closer to shore near Sandy Hook, so naturally we went over for another look.
That whale did not disappoint!
It appeared to be a little younger and was extremely active. Then suddenly it lunge fed practically underneath the bow of the Jersey Girl! It was so close that it actually startled some of our regular passengers. I managed to get a couple of photographs, but this was one of those rare occasions when my 100-500mm zoom lens was almost too powerful, even though I was photographing from the upper deck.
Speaking of the upper deck, our Captain’s View VIP seating really is an incredible place for photographers. Nobody is constantly walking past you, there is very little to block your view, and you have enough room to lay out your camera equipment and grab what you need when the action starts. I am not just saying that because I run the trips. For photography, it really is a fabulous place to be.
On our way back toward Belmar, the day had one more surprise for us when we passed another group of dolphins off Deal, New Jersey. Unfortunately, we could not stop because our whale watching had already kept us out considerably longer than scheduled. We were already running late getting back to the dock and needed to return in time for our next trip.
If seeing a whale is your main goal, come aboard our three-hour whale watching trip. If dolphins are what you really want to see, our morning Dolphin & Coastline Cruise is a wonderful choice. As children begin returning to school, those dolphin trips will transition primarily to weekends instead of operating seven days a week.
We will continue whale watching through the end of November and possibly into the first week or two of December, depending on the weather. Usually we stop running because it becomes too cold for passengers, not because the whales have left the area. Every year the whales seem to surprise us and remain along the Jersey Shore later into the season.
We also have weekday availability during the school season for private charters, school groups, corporate outings and special events. If you know someone interested in booking the Jersey Girl privately, please contact our sales team at [email protected] for information.
It was one of those fabulous Jersey Shore summer days and one of those trips that reminds us why whale watching off New Jersey can be so special.
That is it for now. Time for me to get a little rest.
Bill McKim
Jersey Shore Whale Watch
Jersey Shore Whale Watch
See a Whale. Guaranteed.
Only on the Jersey Girl.
