Seastreak Whale Watching

Board a Seastreak ferry in Manhattan, cruise to the Whale Watching grounds, and witness some of the most magnificent creatures in the North Atlantic!

• Roundtrip from Pier 11 to/from The Whale Watching Grounds Just Offshore

• Beginning May 18th and running through September 15th!

• ~ 3h

• $59 Adults, $34 Children Under 12, $55 Seniors (65+)

  Choose Your Port of Departure

Seastreak is now offering separate whale watching departure ports and times for New York City and New Jersey! Now no matter where you are, you have an easy way to get out onto the water and experience this unique tour!

Whales in NYC? Who would have thought...

Actually, whales in NY aren’t as uncommon as you might think! In fact, we find charismatic humpback whales on almost all of our trips.

The history of whales in the NY Bight has been tumultuous, but the tide is starting to turn. Commercial whaling along the U.S. east coast in the 1800s and early 1900s had drastic impacts on whale populations. Pollution and unregulated fisheries did not help the problem.

With no catch limit placed on menhaden, a small bait fish and the primary prey of humpback whales, the stock quickly depleted and eliminated the ecosystem’s ability to support large mammals. For many years, whales were a rare sight in and around NY Harbor.

When major environmental legislation like the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act were passed in the 1970’s, an international ban on commercial whaling shortly followed. In 2012, restrictions on the take of menhaden were finally adopted. Today, these restrictions continue to be revised to best suit the needs of the ecosystem and the people who rely on it. Suddenly, whale populations have their first real shot at recovery. The continued, tireless efforts put forth by environmental groups are starting to yield results. The water is becoming healthier, the food chain is being restored, and the whales are returning!

A Quick Trip To The Whale Watching Grounds

Our NYC departure docks are conveniently located 30 minutes away from the tip of Sandy Hook, one of the best locations for spotting whales in the New York bight. The confluence of waters from the Hudson, Raritan, Navesink, and Shrewsbury rivers makes for an especially fertile habitat for many inshore species, including the Menhaden, or Bunker, and most whales just can’t get enough of them.

Super Smooth Riding And Luxurious Vessels

Our boats were designed with your comfort and safety in mind. Each vessel is well equipped with the comforts of home, but with a MUCH better view. We have plenty of spacious airline-style seating spanning across multiple decks, so there is plenty of room to spread out. You can enjoy the view from the outside decks, or sit comfortably inside in the air-conditioned cabin. Our vessels also offer a fully-stocked bar on all sailings providing beer, wine, spirits, soft drinks, and pre-packaged snacks. In addition, our vessels were designed with both stability and speed in mind, so you can expect a smooth ride.

Learn from the Experts

A wildlife expert will be on each cruise to provide species identification support and additional information about the animals spotted.

Volunteers from the The American Littoral Society will also be onboard! These volunteers collect whale sighting data that is shared with scientists at Gotham Whale. The American Littoral Society is a coastal conservation non-profit headquartered in Sandy Hook, NJ. Since 1961, the organization has empowered people to care for the coast through advocacy, conservation, and education. They provide a voice for the coast, and give concerned citizens the knowledge and tools they need to raise their voices. Check out their website to learn more about the great work they do, events you can attend or how to become a member.