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Whale Watching Season Begins in New York: Where to See Them

'02.10.2024'

ForumDaily New York

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Fall is the best season for whale watching in New York City. Experts give high chances of seeing these majestic creatures near the city during the golden time of year, reports Gothamist.

About 16 miles off the coast of Brooklyn, the Atlantic Ocean laps against the hull of a boat carrying 100 passengers. They gaze into the water, quietly expectant.

A sudden geyser of whale breath causes a huge cheer from the crowd of onlookers.

A lone whale sprays water close enough to smell the strong, pungent odor of rotting fish and ocean water.

It was one of four humpback whales spotted during a three-hour trip earlier this month. Passengers also saw dolphins and a lone seal bobbing on the surface.

Captain Frank DeSantis is at the helm of the American Princess. He says fall is the best time to go whale watching in the Big Apple.

"When they jump out, right out of the water, it's always a lot of fun," DeSantis said. "It's a beautiful sight that never gets old."

Increase in population near the city

In fact, DeSantis was confident he would see a whale before the trip. Officially, the captain estimates the odds of seeing one at 97% during the excursion at this time of year.

The data shows that DeSantis is not just another sailor prone to exaggeration. In 2011, a group of scientists called Gotham Whale documented five humpback whales in city waters. The group now documents 50 to 70 new whales visiting the region each year. Since 2011, the organization has identified 409 individual humpback whales.

On the subject: A new cruise to the abandoned islands around the city has launched in the waters of New York

The mammals mostly eat their favorite food, menhaden. These are silvery fish weighing 500 grams. They swim in schools that move closer to urban waterways as pollution levels decrease.

The whales are currently gorging themselves on fish in preparation for the long journey south. Some of the whales are passing through on their way to the West Indies to breed.

"People are becoming more accustomed to seeing whales and dolphins off our coasts," said Howard Rosenbaum, director of the ocean giants program at the Wildlife Conservation Society.

Some humpback whales swim 8000 km—the longest migration of any mammal. These creatures weigh up to 40 tons, grow up to 18 meters in length, and live from 80 to 90 years. They consume about 1,5 tons of fish per day.

How to see whales

Whale watching tours depart from piers in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Long Island, and along the New Jersey coast almost every day and last 2,5 to 4,5 hours.

A whale watching boat ticket costs between $70 and $100.

Marine mammal enthusiasts don’t have to leave the shore or spend money to see these majestic creatures. Rockaway Beach and its boardwalk are popular spots to see them. On Coney Island, the beach, boardwalk, and Steeplechase Pier are also good vantage points.

For a more relaxed experience, the Staten Island shoreline is a good choice, especially Great Kills Park and Conference House. The western end of the Rockaway Peninsula, Breezy Point, is another quiet spot for whale watching. And the best time to do so is in the morning and afternoon, when they are most likely to feed. Binoculars are a must.

Humpback whales are known for causing a lot of activity on the surface of the water. Seabirds hovering over the ocean indicate that it may be nearby. The birds feed on fish that burst from the mammal's mouth. Then there are the most obvious signs of this giant's appearance - a fountain or the most exciting sight of all: the animal emerging from the water.

"Humpback whales are known for performing a variety of surface activities, such as fin or tail strikes, feeding lunges, and diving," Rosenbaum explained.

Humpback whales are the most common species. Endangered North Atlantic right whales and fin whales also inhabit the New York Bight. This is a region that stretches from New Jersey to Montauk. The smallest baleen whales are found nearby. They are difficult to spot because they spend more time underwater.

Blue whales are the largest animals on Earth. They can reach 33 meters in length and weigh well over 150 tons. They are often found off the coast of the city.

Many marine mammals are regular visitors to the city's shores. Ecologists know this from the unique markings on each animal's tail fin.

“No two humpback whales have the same pattern on the underside of their tails,” said Celia Ackerman, a research scientist at Gotham Whale. “It’s as unique as a human fingerprint.”

Most New York whales are young. The calves learn the location of feeding grounds from their mothers and then return as adults.

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