Animals You Might See During a Whale Watch

Some marine mammals are too large to reside at the New England Aquarium, but you can see them in nearby Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary.

New England Aquarium Whale Watch cruises (offered through our partnership with Boston Harbor City Cruises) brings you closer to the marine mammals in our backyard. Set sail from Boston Harbor, right next to the Aquarium, to Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, a rich feeding ground teeming with wildlife of all shapes and sizes.

When you embark on a whale-watching tour, you’ll cruise along the harbor with stunning views of Boston and observe some of the world’s most remarkable animals alongside knowledgeable naturalists. Here are some of the animals you might encounter:

Dolphins

Sometimes, you might even catch these gregarious animals interacting with other mammals like humpback whales.

Sharks

Learn about the science of sharks at the Aquarium, then try to catch a glimpse of one in its natural habitat! Local species include white sharks, blue sharks, and basking sharks. While basking sharks are the second largest fish in the world, reaching up to 45 feet in length, they are completely harmless to humans.

You might catch a basking shark filter feeding as it swims leisurely through the water with its massive mouth open, dining on tiny, planktonic prey.

Whales

Of course, the star of the show, there are several different whale species you are likely to spot during your voyage! Minke whales — the smallest of the great whales topping out at 10 tons — fin whales, and humpbacks are all regularly spotted at Stellwagen Bank.

Humpbacks, in particular, exhibit many behaviors you can observe from the surface. You might spot a whale breaching, propelling its body out of the water, right in front of the Boston skyline. Or you may get to witness bubble net feeding, when whales release bubble “nets” that cause fish to clump together for easier eating. You could see whales spouting, flipper or tail slapping, or any number of other captivating behaviors.

You may also see several species of seals, turtles, seabirds, and more during your tour. You never know exactly what marine animals will appear until you’re floating alongside them, which makes each whale-watching adventure a completely unique and unforgettable experience.

Purchase a combination Aquarium entry and whale watch ticket to save and create a day full of blue planet memories!

Boston Harbor City Cruises is a proud member of Whale Sense  and is committed to responsible whale watching practices. All photos were taken in compliance with established guidelines and regulations.