Off shore all day whale watching trip
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Offshore Whale Watching Trip Report: Fin Whales Galore on July 20, 2026
Our July 20, 2026, eight-hour offshore whale-watching and pelagic birding trip
aboard the Jersey Girl delivered an extraordinary day of marine
wildlife sightings off the coast of Belmar, New Jersey.
Guests experienced feeding fin whales, minke whales, short-beaked common dolphins,
jumping bluefin tuna, offshore seabirds, a sea turtle, and even a hammerhead shark.
Fin Whales and Minke Whales Feeding Offshore
The trip began with a lively group of
short-beaked common dolphins swimming near the boat.
Soon afterward, we spotted numerous whale blows in the distance.
When the Jersey Girl reached the activity, we found approximately
six to eight feeding fin whales and
eight to ten minke whales.
Fin whales are among the largest animals on Earth, and seeing several of them
feeding in one area made this an unforgettable offshore whale-watching experience.
Bluefin Tuna Jumping Around the Jersey Girl
Large bluefin tuna were also seen jumping high out of the water
around the boat. The combination of feeding whales, tuna, dolphins, and seabirds
showed just how much ocean life was concentrated in the offshore waters of New Jersey.
Pelagic Birding and Offshore Seabird Sightings
Bird activity was excellent throughout the trip. Flocks of seabirds gathered over
the feeding areas, creating outstanding opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife
photography.
Bird Species Seen During the Trip
- Cory’s shearwaters
- Sooty shearwaters
- Great shearwaters
- Scopoli’s shearwaters
- Wilson’s storm petrels
- Common terns
- Great blue heron
- Additional offshore and coastal bird species
This trip demonstrated why offshore whale watching and
pelagic birding from New Jersey offer a completely different
experience from a traditional nearshore whale watch.
Sea Turtle and Hammerhead Shark Near the New Jersey Coast
On the return trip to Belmar, passengers spotted a
sea turtle and a hammerhead shark
approximately two miles off the New Jersey beach.
These final sightings were a perfect ending to a day filled with whales,
dolphins, tuna, sharks, seabirds, and other marine wildlife.
Faster Offshore Trips Aboard the Newly Repowered Jersey Girl
Guests also enjoyed the improved speed and comfort of the newly repowered
Jersey Girl whale-watching boat.
The new engines allowed us to reach the offshore whale and birding grounds
in a reasonable amount of time, spend hours observing wildlife, and return
to Belmar on schedule.
After completing the eight-hour pelagic trip, the Jersey Girl was still able
to operate another local whale-watching trip later that day.
How Offshore Whale Watching Differs From Nearshore Whale Watching
Offshore whale-watching trips travel farther into the Atlantic Ocean and may
provide opportunities to see different species of whales, dolphins, sharks,
tuna, sea turtles, and pelagic birds.
Every trip is different, and wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed.
However, the July 20 trip showed the incredible variety of marine life that
can be found offshore from the Jersey Shore.
Get Updates About Our Next Offshore Whale-Watching Trip
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Jersey Girl Charters for announcements about future
offshore whale-watching and pelagic birding trips departing from
Belmar Marina in Belmar, NJ.
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Nearly 2,000 Horsepower for Faster Offshore Whale Watching
The newly repowered Jersey Girl is powered by three high-performance
Scania marine engines producing approximately 1,700 horsepower.
That power gives us the speed and range to reach productive offshore waters more
efficiently and spend more of the trip where the whales, dolphins, tuna, sharks,
sea turtles, and pelagic birds are being seen.
When we receive a reliable wildlife report from another vessel or observer, we have
the ability to respond quickly instead of wondering whether the boat can reasonably
reach the area. No captain can promise where wild animals will appear, but the speed
of the Jersey Girl gives us more options and greatly expands the territory we can
explore during our special offshore trips.
Come experience the all-new Jersey Girl, featuring powerful new
engines, a beautifully renovated interior, improved comfort, and the unforgettable
feeling of traveling across the open Atlantic Ocean. The vessel was designed and
repowered to handle a wide range of offshore conditions, while every trip remains
subject to the captain’s judgment and safe weather and sea conditions.
