Whale Watching Cruises from NYC [2025]

New York City offers such a unique experience for whale watching because it’s one of the few places to see whales against the backdrop of a massive city skyline. It’s also a great way to escape all the hustle and chaos in the streets for a peaceful afternoon on the water. Humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, sea turtles and birds are all common sightings in New York waters. Read on to learn about the best cruises in the city, which whales you could encounter, and all the best other things to do while you’re here.

Whale Watch Season

Whale watching season in New York City lasts from May through September of each year. The summer months of June, July, and August are the peak times to go because the weather is warm and sunny. Whales typically cannot be seen from the shore because there’s too much traffic and noise, or they’re just too far away. Sometimes you can see whales from Jacob Riis Park in south Queens, but it’s very hit or miss for when they visit. Your best bet is to get on a boat from the south side of Manhattan with an experienced tour operator.

Best Whale Watching Cruises

Every Sunday at 10am, an expertly guided 5-hour whale watching cruise departs from Pier 36 on the southeast shore of Manhattan. Tours pass under the Brooklyn Bridge and go by the Statue of Liberty on the way out to the whale watching area. Humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, seals, and birds are all common sightings. Not to mention the unique view of seeing the city and all its grandeur from the water. Be sure to pause from time to time and look back at the city skyline as it shrinks away. This tour has highly experienced captains and wildlife guides who know exactly where to go to look for whales.

With a climate-controlled indoor cabin complete with large viewing windows, and an outdoor deck with seating, you’ll be plenty comfortable during this half-day tour. The boat has restrooms and fresh snacks to purchase, along with beverages and locally inspired cocktails. Tickets are $59 for adults, $34 for kids and $55 for seniors, making it a fun and budget friendly excursion. Tickets are nonrefundable and tours only run on Sundays through September 28, 2025, so be sure to plan accordingly. The tours also fill up fairly quickly, sometimes 2-3 weeks in advance. Here’s their current summer availability:

Now if the Sunday-only tour above is all booked up, you still have another whale watching option in Manhattan. The Seastreak New York City Whale Watching Cruise departs from Pier 11 / Wall Street on the west side of the Brooklyn Bridge. Tours are available on both Saturday and Sundays, but they’re more expensive than the other whale watching cruise. That being said, it’s a great tour with a highly experienced whale watching captain. You’ll pass by the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor, there’s snacks available to purchase, indoor and outdoor seating, and restrooms onboard. It’s about a half day tour; same as the other one. The only difference is the price and the location you go to, but both tours promise to know all the best places to see whales. So if the other cruise is all booked up, this one is a fantastic alternative.

What To Wear and Bring Whale Watching

The thing about whale watching is that even if it’s hot in the city, temperatures can be 10-20° cooler on the water. Always dress in layers. Bring either a light jacket or a light-colored long sleeve shirt for sun protection. Any sweater or jacket will do in case it gets chilly. Wear non-slip shoes such as sneakers. Bring a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, lip balm, any medications you may need, and a camera. Bring binoculars if you have them. If not, tour operators often have limited pairs you can borrow. If you get motion sickness, take medication as directed on the morning of the trip. You’ll want to be prepared with all of these things because it’s a five hour trip and you’ll have a better experience if you’re comfortable.

Top Other Things To Do

1. New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour

If you’ve never been to New York City, you’re going to want to take the New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour. With nearly 12,000 positive reviews at the time of this writing, this ‘Best of 2025’ experiences tour covers everything from Central Park to Times Square to the Statue of Liberty and even includes a ferry ride to Staten Island. You’ll see 5th Avenue, the New York Public Library, Madison Square Park, the 9/11 Memorial, the Rockefeller Center, the Flatiron Building, and more. The tour lasts about six hours and includes a stop for lunch at the Gansevoort Liberty market. Tours run daily with departure times at either 9am or 10am.

2. CityPASS

If you like museums and attractions and you’ll be in New York for a few days, then you can’t go wrong with getting a CityPASS. CityPASS gives you admission to five different attractions, and you have nine days to use them. The pass is activated on the first day you use it. Then you’ll have eight more consecutive days to use the rest of your admissions. You can use multiple admissions per day if you want. The way CityPASS works in New York City is you will get admission to the Empire State Building and the American Museum of Natural History. Then, you’ll get to choose three more attractions from this list:

• Top of the Rock® Observation Deck (an observatory on top of the Rockefeller Center with spectacular, unobstructed views of the city skyline; midtown Manhattan.)
• 9/11 Memorial & Museum (World Trade Center site; lower Manhattan.)
• Ferry Access to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island (ferry service + admission to the Statue of Liberty Museum and Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration. Crown tickets and pedestal access are not included. Leaves from Battery Park at the southern tip of Manhattan.)
• Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises (guided boat tours; Pier 83, west Manhattan in Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood.)
• Intrepid Museum (sea, air, space / military museum; Pier 86, west Manhattan in Hell’s Kitchen.)
• Guggenheim Museum (art museum; upper east side of Manhattan.)

3. Manhattan Helicopter Tour

For the adventure seekers, there’s nothing quite like a helicopter tour. You’ll get the most unique perspective of all in a short flight and a memory that will last forever. This is one of the most popular things to do with besties and dates!

4. Carriage Ride through Central Park

Available every day of the week, this classic horse-drawn carriage ride through Central Park is a must for turning up the magic of New York City. Plus, the horses are loved and well-cared for. You even get to feed them a treat at the end of your ride.

5. New York Night Tour

Navigate the city safely from the top of a double-decker bus. You’ll get the option to choose a bus that has a live guide onboard, or a bus that has headphones with a recorded audio tour. Hint: the live guide bus is way more fun and interactive!

6. Statue of Liberty + Ellis Island

Get a round trip ferry ticket to Liberty Island and Ellis Island. Choose between a 2-hour tour which just goes to Liberty Island, or 4-hour experience that includes Ellis Island with admission to the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration.

7. SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Experience

SUMMIT One is a three-floor observation deck in One Vanderbilt, a 73-story skyscraper that opened in 2020 in Midtown Manhattan. The building took four years to construct, and the observation area is loaded with mind-bending immersive art, a full bar, and incredible panoramic views. This experience is perfect for friends, family, and romantic dates. Tickets give you access to all three floors so you can explore at your own pace.

Best Day Trips From NYC

If you’re staying in NYC for more than a few days, consider taking a day trip to a nearby destination. There’s so much worth seeing and doing around New York, day trips can greatly enrich your overall trip. Day tours are designed to get you the best of a nearby attraction with having to spend a whole other vacation exploring it. It really increases the amount of things you have time to see! From Niagara Falls to Washington DC, investing in a day tour is way more efficient and economical than trying to put a trip together yourself. Just leave it to the experts, sit back and enjoy all that the destination has to offer.

Whale Species & Other Animals

The most commonly seen whale species on a whale watching tour in NYC is the humpback whale. Humpbacks are famous for their acrobatic displays. They are highly social animals known for breaching the surface of the water when feeding or communicating within their pods. In addition to humpbacks, there are sea turtles, seabirds, fish, and dolphins. Seals are present in the area in the colder months, from late fall to late spring. According to the NY Department of Environmental Conservation, whale species in New York waters also include sperm whales, right whales, blue whales, fin whales, and sei whales. Though these other kinds of whales are present, they are not always seen. Many whales stay in the water and avoid vessels.

Regulations & Protection

There are regulations in place to protect whales and their habitat. Organizations like the NOAA and the Whale Sense Program set many of these regulations. Regulations include maintaining a respectful distance from whales and avoiding any sudden movements or loud noises. Always avoid feeding or touching whales. The New York Marine Rescue Center plays a pivotal role in the rescue and rehabilitation of marine wildlife. It also promotes responsible whale watching practices. It is important to follow all regulations for the safety of both the whales and your tour group.