Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is in the Rorquals family (Balaenopteridae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 12,491 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in August.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: seasonal. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Humpback Whale: observations by month (U.S.)
About Humpback Whale
The humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is a species of baleen whale. One of the larger rorqual species, adults range in length from 12–16 m (39–52 ft) and weigh about 36,000 kg (79,000 lb). The humpback has a distinctive body shape, with long pectoral fins and a knobbly head. It is known for breaching and other distinctive surface behaviors, making it popular with whale watchers. Males produce a complex song lasting 10 to 20 minutes, which they repeat for hours at...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Humpback Whale by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 5,584 | September | Apr–Nov |
| Alaska | 3,873 | July | May–Sep |
| Hawaii | 1,170 | February | Dec–Mar |
| Massachusetts | 694 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Washington | 531 | June | Jun–Oct |
| New Jersey | 185 | October | May–Nov |
| New York | 139 | September | Jul–Oct |
| Maine | 107 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Oregon | 62 | August | Jun–Oct |
| Virginia | 57 | January | Jan–Feb |
| New Hampshire | 24 | August | Jul–Sep |
| North Carolina | 24 | November | Nov–Dec |
| Delaware | 13 | May | Dec–Jun |
| Rhode Island | 9 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Maryland | 8 | February | Nov–Mar |
| Florida | 5 | March | Feb–Mar |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Photography tips
- Keep a legal and safe distance: 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other large animals in national parks.
- Dawn and dusk are peak activity times for most mammals.
- Use your car as a blind on wildlife drives.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Humpback Whale?
Nationally, August has the most observations, with the main season from May to October.
Where is Humpback Whale most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Alaska, Hawaii.