Whale Sightings 5/26/25 to 6/1/25. Please find the Naturalist Notes for the week of 5/26/25 to 6/1/25 from the onboard team of naturalists for our New England Whale Watching tour in partnership with the New England Aquarium.
Monday, 5.26.25
10:00am Whale Watch Sightings
Good Evening!
Today the M/V Asteria made its way towards Stellwagen Bank in search of whales. We had just gotten out of Boston harbor when we were surprised by a juvenile humpback whale that was taking short dives, likely feeding deeper in the water coulmn. After some quick looks at this animal, we continued on. We found some humpback whales feeding north of the northwest corner, mouths wide open! We started out with a whale named Pox, who was bubble net feeding repeatedly. It was a remarkable sight! We also spent time with a whale named Habanero, who was kick feeding. Seeing two different feeding techniques right next to each other made for some great views. Everywhere we looked, we saw “bait balls” near the surface, tight concentrations of schooling fish (see photo). It was a great day on the water!
Until Next Time!
David, Eman, Hannah and Collin
2:30pm Whale Watch Sightings
Good evening,
The Asteria set out north of the Northwest Corner to find whales today. Upon our arrival, we were astounded with the obvious diversity and density of wildlife! We identified multiple species of birds, dolphins, whales, and sharks in the area. We began with a large pod of Atlantic-sided dolphins that was spread widely throughout the area. Several smaller associations within the pod were curious of our idle boat and came to check us out. After a few minutes, we noticed a triangular fin rising from the depths. Slowly, we crept over to check it out and discovered a feeding basking shark! Enthralled, we watched this shark until it disappeared beneath the sea. The whales, taking advantage of our distraction, moved in closer. Before we knew it, we were surrounded by kick feeding and bubble feeding whales! We noticed the dolphins also circling the area, especially around the humpback whales, possibly also taking advantage of the abundance of prey. Over the course of our trip, we counted between 8-11 humpback whales. Among our IDs we had Strike, Habanero, Striation, Tear, Pox, Sundown, and Egret. We also spotted some minke whales and 1-2 additional basking sharks!
It was a phenomenal day to be on the water!
Eman, David, Collin, and Hannah
Tuesday, 5.27.25
10:00am Whale Watch Sightings
Hello Fellow Whale Enthusiasts!
Today we boarded the Asteria for the 10am trip and headed to the area between the Northwest Corner of Stellwagen Bank and the Souther portion of Jeffrey’s Ledge.
It was not long before we were treated to our first sighting, an enormous basking shark! We got several long looks at this feasting beauty before spotting some blows in the distance and eagerly making our way onward for some marine mammal sightings!
After a short drive, we arrived to find 4 scattered humpback whales engaged in feeding behavior! Before long, a couple of the humpbacks began bubble net feeding together offering incredible looks at their baleen as they dragged through the water.
We spent the trip observing the whales as they continued to feed, joining in pairs for some cooperative feeding, and splitting off to foray further from one another, often in a rapid succession. After all the action we were able to identify Music, Pox, Aerospace, and Sundown!
Overall, an incredible day on the water!
Until next time!
Warmly, Linnea, Madeline, and Brenna
Wednesday, 5.28.25
10:00am Whale Watch Sightings
Good afternoon whale watchers!
Aboard the Asteria, we ventured all the way out to Tillies Bank to find wildlife. Our arrival was greeted by the blows of 10-12 whales spread throughout the area. We spent all of our time with three fin whales that showed remarkable behavior! In my experience, fin whales are typically quite elusive – they are known to take longer dives and move quickly below the surface. Shockingly, it was the 2-3 minke whales and 1-2 humpback whales we spotted that were more elusive on today’s trip! Uncharacteristically, our three fin whales all stayed within a small area and were taking exceptionally short dives (some as short as 1-2 minutes!). When looking at our ship’s log on our way back to Boston, we realized the fin whales were moving strategically along the edge of Tillies bank, hugging the shelf dividing shallow and deep water. It is possible these were whales were taking advantage of a mini-upwelling and were feeding subsurface.
It was an incredible 3-species experience!
Eman, Maddie, and Aiden
12:00pm Whale Watch Sightings
Good Afternoon Fellow Whale Enthusiasts!
Today we boarded the Aurora under a cloudy sky and gentle breeze, pointing our bow to the North in hopes of spotting wildlife.
Shortly after exiting Boston Harbor, the captain alerted us to some movement nearby. Before long we were able to identify this mysterious creature as a humpback whale! Delighted to find a cetacean friend so close to the Harbor, we spent several minutes observing as she actively fed below the surface. Initially focused on short, non-fluking dives, we finally got a good look at her flukes right before departing and were able to identify this humpback as Scylla!
After that first exciting encounter, we made our way further north and soon spotted several blows on the horizon, seeming to multiply with every second! Getting closer we found ourselves in the presence of 7-8 actively feeding humpbacks scattered across a large area!
Starting with a group of 4 whales, we observed lots of active feeding behavior from bubble clouds, to cooperative bubble nets, to kick feeding! We were delighted to see these whales rapidly changing feeding configurations and soon found ourselves completely surrounded! We were able to identify all 4 whales as Aerospace, Tear, Putter, and Sundown! Aerospace and Tear continued to feed in close proximity to one another, while Tear and Putter made their way toward another feeding group farther away. We were incredibly fortunate to spend so much time with our cetacean friends and after the humpbacks began to disperse, we gently made our way out of the area and back to Boston.
An excellent day on the water!
Until next time! Linnea, Maria, Andrew, and Collin
Saturday, 5.31.25
11:00am Whale Watch Sightings
Happy Saturday Whale Watchers!
Today the M/V Aurora made its way to Jeffrey’s Ledge, with a very hearty group of passengers, in search of wildlife. As we arrived, we found at least 8 whales scattered around the area! We spent most of our time with three humpback whales, Bungee, Ditto and Valley. We got some amazing looks at this trio, taking short dives and spending a lot of time at the surface. As we were watching them, we were surprised by at least three fin whales! They spent a lot of time around the boat, treating us to some remarkable views. Surrounded by or two species, we found ourselves watching the humpbacks while the fin whales were on a dive, then watching the fins while the humpbacks were down. After some great memories, we made our way back to Boston. What a great day on the water!
Until Next Time!
David, Andrew and Hannah
Boston Whale Watching: Naturalist Notes – 5/26/25 to 6/1/25