Wednesday May 27, 2026

Fog, fog, and more fog 

It was super foggy start to our 31st season. While conditions north and west of the Montauk Lighthouse were excellent with 6 miles of visibility, as we headed west a bit offshore, we entered the fog. Visibility dropped to 440 yards (1/4 mile) and continued to drop to about 150 yards and would vary between these values as we headed west towards Napeague, where the SST (sea surface temperature) was 52.05 ^oF.  We headed out to deeper water in Block Channel, but the fog remained and the SST rose to a whopping 53.74 ^oF. More fog and slight clearings continued wherever we went.  We were able to see 2 Great shearwaters (Ardenna gravis) and 8 Sooty shearwaters (Ardenna grisea), as well as 1 Wilson's storm petrel (Oceanites oceanicus). A few folks had a brief view of an Ocean sunfish (Mola mola). Just before pulling into the dock, one of the resident Atlantic gray seals (Halichoerus grypus atlantica) popped up. 

Totals:

•  2 Great shearwaters
• 8 Sooty shearwaters
• 1 Wilson’s storm petrel
• 1 Ocean sunfish
• 1 Atlantic gray seal (in the harbor)

Sunday, May 31, 2026

Our first humpback of the season!

For our second trip of the season, we sailed along the shoreline following an abundance of prey (bait) in the region in the hopes that cetaceans (whales and dolphins) might be found feeding there. On this last day of May, the wind and chill of spring were still present, but as we braved the cold, we were awarded with various sightings of numerous terns, immature northern gannets, common loons, Wilson’s storm petrels, and at least one shearwater. We decided to turn south and head to an area farther from shore to search. Along the whale, a sharp-eyed volunteer observed a single fin in the water which we quickly investigated. As expected, that fin belonged to an ocean sunfish, Mola mola, resting and warming itself at the surface after likely feeding at depth. We were able to spend some time alongside this wildly unique fish affording passengers excellent views. We moved on to continue our search and found two blows in the distance belonging to a small humpback whale, our first of the season! This whale spent a few minutes at a time beneath the surface moving large distances between blows. As we were waiting,  the young whale surprised us all by surfacing directly next to the vessel to the delight of those onboard. Even those on the opposite side of the boat could clearly hear the loud exhalation of the blow, and we were able to capture photos of its dorsal fin in the hopes that we might be able to match this individual to others in our humpback whale catalog or to others in the region. CRESLI photo-identifies humpback whales and has documented 272 unique individuals since 2009 aboard Viking whale watches. Documenting individuals helps scientists understand how long and how often humpbacks occur in the waters off Montauk. This individual also adds to our understanding of habitat usage by humpbacks contributing to 34 years of sightings data in the eastern New York Bight. The season is young and we are just getting started – book your trip with us today!

• 1 humpback whale (presumably a juvenile)
• 1 ocean sunfish (Mola mola)
• 8-12 immature Northern gannets
• 2 common loons
• 10-12 Wilson’s storm petrels
• 1 shearwater (unknown species)

Photos to view and/or purchase to help support our work - prints, digital copies, and framed artwork available

Sunday, June 7, 2026

We found them!! Dolphins, pelagic birds, and finback whales!!

On a day with good visibility, comfortable and sometimes cold conditions, we were successful finding a several aggregations of Tamanend's bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops erebennus) in the near shore waters just south of Montauk Point. After encountering ~150-200 Tamanend's bottlenose dolphins, We decided to search further east where we encountered several ocean sunfish (Mola mola) and many Lion's mane jellyfish (Cyanea capillata). Just about everywhere we went, we saw pelagic birds including 25 Wilson's storm petrels (Oceanites oceanicus);135 Sooty shearwaters (Ardenna grisea), 36 Great shearwaters (Ardenna gravis), 2 Manx shearwaters (Puffinus puffinus), 2 Cory's shearwaters (Calonectris borealis). On our way back, we saw a massive conical blow going 20' into the air - a finback whale (Balaenoptera physalus), the whale was about 1 mile away and blew 4 times before diving. We carefully got to the area and the whale eventually surfaced 1/4 mile away, which is typical fin whale behavior. While searching for this massive fine whale we found a smaller fin whale nearby and was able to capture photos of its dorsal fin and left side. Unfortunately we had to leave shortly thereafter. We can't wait to get back out.  Our thanks to CRESLI volunteers, and the Viking Fleet crew.  Join us (https://cresli.org/whalewatching)!

• 150-200 Tamanend's bottlenose dolphins
• 2 finback whales
• 2 Ocean sunfish
• 25 Wilson's storm petrels
• 135 Sooty shearwaters
• 36 Great shearwaters
• 2 Manx shearwaters 
• 2 Cory's shearwaters

Photos to view and/or purchase to help support our work - prints, digital copies, and framed artwork available

Here's a slideshow

Sunday, June 21, 2026

Dolphins nearshore and surrounded by whales offshore! 4 species of cetaceans!! 

15 minutes after leaving Montauk Harbor and heading east we found our first cetaceans, a small group of 6-8 Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphins. It got better and better!  We find our 1st finback whale an hour later, just a few miles from shore. We had reports of whales offshore and we headed out. Offshore a few hours later we find a motherload of whales – finbacks, minkes , and humpbacks. We were officially surrounded by whales for the next few hours. Ultimately, we encountered approximately 10-12 finback whales,  3-5 minke whales, 2 humpback whales (one known from the coast of Virginia and one yet to be identified). The humpbacks were each bubble-ring/open mouth feeding on sand eels. The entire water column was filled with sand eels from the surface to the sea floor at 147 feet. It doesn’t get much better than that! All appropriate protocols were followed and no cetaceans were disturbed. Our thanks to the Viking Fleet crew and the CRESLI crew.

• 6-8 Tamanend's bottlenose dolphins
• 10-12 finback whales
• 3-5 minke whales
• 2 humpback whales
• We thank John Gluth for compliling the following bird total were compiling the following pelagic bird counts
  • 103 Sooty shearwaters
  • 163 Great shearwaters
  • 2 Manx shearwaters
  • 9 Cory's shearwaters 
  • 2 Scopoli's shearwaters 
  • 143 Cory’s/Scopoli’s Shearwaters

Photos to view and/or purchase to help support our work - prints, digital copies, and framed artwork available

Here's a slideshow

Saturday, June 27, 2026

Another astonishing trip with 5 species of cetaceans, a leatherback sea turtle, ocean sunfish, and a plethora of pelagic birds

We started our trip in slight haze that burned off as we progressed. We has reports of whales to our south and off we went. We found our 1st pelagic birds as well as finback whale and Tamanend's bottlenose dolphins(Tursiops erebennus) within a few miles of Montauk Light. As we  headed further S, we continued to find pelagic birds, and whales. Finbacks (Balaenoptera physalus) in every direction including what appeared to be mom/calf pairs, squid (Illex spp.) were everywhere and the finbacks were feasting. Most shearwaters (Great, Sooty, Cory's) were so full that they could barely take off. We were often surrounded by whales in every direction, minkes (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and finbacks mostly, but we did find 2 pairs of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) that we were able to observe and attempt to ID. Again, we are of the mind that we had mom/calf pairs.  Eventually along came an aggregation of 200 short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) that decide to ride along our bow wake and vocalize, surprising the passengers on the lower deck. We also observed a massive upwelling of sand eels (sand lance) (Ammodytes spp.) Just as we were ready to turn northward, a leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) and an ocean sunfish (Mola mola) were sighted.
 

All appropriate Whale SENSE, MMPSA and ESA guidelines were followed. No harassment took place. Photos were take with high resolution digital camera (NikonZ8 and Nikkor Z180-600mm lens)

• 35 Tamanend's bottlenose dolphins
• 200 Short-beaked common dolphins
• 12-15 finback whales
• 12-15 minke whales
• 2 humpback whales (mom/calf pair)
• 1 leatherback sea turtle
• 1 ocean sunfish
• 42 Wilson's storm petrels
• 65 Sooty shearwaters
• 78 Cory's shearwaters
• 142 Great shearwaters

Photos to view and/or purchase to help support our work - prints, digital copies, and framed artwork available

Here's a slideshow

Friday, July 03, 2026

Another trip with 5 species of cetaceans!

With temperatures on land reaching the mid to upper 90s, a trip on the water amidst cool breezes and beautiful seas would have been enough. Then came the dolphins; three small groups of Tamanend’s bottlenose numbering approximately 40-60 individuals before we even passed the lighthouse. Then, on our way to the feeding grounds, we encountered scores of short-beaked common dolphins moving towards and around our vessel to the sheer delight of all onboard. But that was just the appetizer. Blows were spotted in the distance and we investigated. Those blows belonged to an unbelievable number of endangered finback whales; at least 8 confirmed at one time with more likely beneath the surface. Seeing a fin whale is a treat on any day, but seeing this many as they fed on the abundant bait (visible as dark shoals near the surface of the water) was extraordinary. Then, more blows farther away led us to at least 9-12 additional finback whales. Phenomenal! Dozens and dozens of sooty, Cory’s, and great shearwaters along with Wilson’s storm petrels flew nearby and rested on the water. Then, a minke whale appeared and stayed next to vessel, affording rare and incredible views of an otherwise elusive species. But then, dark figures broke the surface of the water ahead of us, belonging to ten (possibly more) humpback whales bubble cloud- and open mouth- feeding, likely on sand eels. Fin whales, common dolphins, and minke continued to make appearances around the vessel as the sounds of blows and sights of four different cetacean species filled our hearts and senses. Our season is just beginning and we are off to a hot start! We sail every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday; grab your friends and book a trip with us today.

• 40-60 Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphins
• 280-340 short-beaked common dolphins
• 18-22 finback whales
• 9-12 humpback whales
• 1-3 minke whales (likely the same one though)
• 40-60 Wilson’s storm petrels*
• 50-70 sooty shearwaters*
• 60-80 great shearwaters*
• 12-24 Cory’s shearwaters*

*bird count estimates are conservative and based on those identified at time of encounter; there were many more in the area

Photos to view and/or purchase to help support our work - prints, digital copies, and framed artwork available

Here's a slideshow

Sunday, July 05, 2026

MTK Whale Watching is HOT!

The heat wave on land may be finally breaking, but Montauk whale watching is ON FIRE right now! We started our trip with a surprise appearance by an adult gray seal swimming next to the boat as we were transiting out of the harbor. We headed south toward the feeding grounds where so many whales and dolphins were encountered on Friday’s trip. Along the way, we found sporadic small pods of Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphins, which we paused to enjoy, before traveling on. Eventually, blows in a variety of directions were observed and we found ourselves in the company of a finback whale, one of over a dozen in the area. Humpback whales broke the surface as they kicked- and open mouth- fed on the abundant bait in the water column. The enormity of the event was evidenced by pods of charging common dolphins swimming alongside the fin and humpback whales, and frequently approaching our vessel affording passengers excellent views. Here and there, a minke whale would appear in the mix of the other cetaceans. It was hard knowing where to look as the whales and dolphins (and all the excitement) surrounded the Viking Starship. It was a privilege to experience these animals on such an enormous scale. And birders onboard delighted in the array of pelagic species along with four south polar skuas also documented. Let us take you out on our next adventure – you do not want to miss this!

• 1 gray seal
• 12-14 finback whales
• 5-6 humpback whales
• 2-3 minke whales
• 120-160 short-beaked common dolphin
• 20-26 Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphin
• 30-40 Cory’s shearwaters*
• 80-140 Great shearwaters*
• 20-40 Sooty shearwaters*
• 20-40 Wilson’s storm petrels*
• 4 South Polar skuas

*bird counts are conservative estimates based on confirmed sightings by naturalist only

Photos to view and/or purchase to help support our work - prints, digital copies, and framed artwork available soon

Here's a slideshow