June 15-16, 2026

The calm sea and clear horizon were a perfect backdrop for our trip on Monday. Once we got out to Jeffreys Ledge, we spent time with Ditto, the humpback whale. This whale was doing a good job holding its breath, so we soon pressed on in search of more activity. We next found Wigwam, the humpback whale, and a basking shark. The trip wrapped up with another familiar humpback whale, Pinball!

Basking shark dorsal fin

Pinball (above and below)

On Tuesday morning, we took out a great group of students from Gilford. We were so fortunate to start the trip with a pod of Atlantic white-sided dolphins. These whales were zipping through the water, showcasing their speedy movements and providing fun for everyone on board. 

Speedy dolphins (above and below)

Atlantic white-sided dolphin

We also got a chance to spend time with Pinball, the humpback whale. In a most fantastic, unexpected moment, Pinball breached! WOW. So surprising, most weren't ready (sorry, I didn't get a photo). 

Pinball diving (above and below)

During our travels offshore in the afternoon, we first found a fin whale. After a couple of looks, and even a minke whale popping up in the area, we continued out to Jeffreys Ledge. 

Fin whale

To our delight, and with a little patience, we found and spent time with Valley, the humpback whale.

Valley

June 13-14, 2026

A cooler ocean and calm seas were waiting for us as we headed offshore on Saturday. Our first find of the day was a trio of humpback whales. All three were sleeping for most of the time we watched them, relaxing on the ocean's surface. Individuals included Spoon, Valley, and Clamp. 

Three humpback whales

Humpback whale

After sneaking away from these mellow mammals, we came across a basking shark, one of the second-largest species of shark in the world. 

Basking shark (above and below)

This fish gave us some great looks as we were able to meander alongside it. Lastly, and perhaps most impressively, we spent time with a very curious minke whale. This whale swam circles around us and under us (our engines were shut off), experiencing some incredible looks at this species and its unique minke "mittens!"

Minke whale swimming towards us

Minke whale surfacing. Can you see the white patches on its flipper, commonly referred to as the minke "mittens."

Minke whale snout

On Sunday, we made our way out to Jeffreys Ledge, where we got a chance to spend time with two different humpback whales. We first came across Ditto before checking out Alligator. Always fun to see what is out there for us to find on our trips. In addition to the humpback whales, we also briefly checked out an ocean sunfish!

Humpback whale diving

Ocean sunfish

Alligator, the humpback whale

June 6-7, 2026

 Saturday provided some much needed reprieve from the usual weekend weather by giving way to glassy calm seas after we began to make our way offshore. After reaching Jeffrey's Ledge, we were first given brief looks at a minke whale and a single humpback whale, Clamp. While waiting for these whales to resurface, we couldn't help but stare in awe at the abundance of birds just above the surface. Thousands upon thousands of Wilson's Storm Petrels as well as a healthy amount of Sooty and Great Shearwaters were spending time in the area around us.

Petrels dancing at the surface

Sooty Shearwater

After moving on from Clamp, we passed by a second minke whale and got the absolute briefest of looks at a fin whale as it was passing through the area. Eventually, we came across another humpback, Quote.

Quote Diving

Most of the whales we happened upon so far were spending much of their time underneath the surface (so it goes with wild animals), but we would end up getting excellent looks at our final pair of humpback whales, Spoon and Chromosome. These two whales spent much of their time resting just at the surface, before eventually diving down into the depths below.

Spoon dorsal fin

Chromosome diving

Sunday began with us headed back out to where we found success the day prior. As we made our way offshore, we spotted a distant spout that revealed itself to be a humpback whale. This whale, Sedge, was very much on the move. Travelling far between each surfacing, but also giving us some incredible looks along the way.

Humpback Whale diving

After spending some time with Sedge, we continued further in search of our whales from the day before. We searched. Searched some more. When we were done with that, we searched EVEN more. Eventually, we were running out of time and ledge, so we opted to head back in towards where we had Sedge earlier. We were able to relocate him over 3 miles from where we had left him, got some final looks, and then made our way back home. We can't wait to see what next weekend has to offer!

May 31, 2026

Whales were playing hide-and-seek today! We spotted a minke whale early in the trip and got a couple nice looks at this "small" whale. We then spotted a blow from a larger whale, but were never able to eyes on the actual animal, so no idea what species that was! Sneaky whales! Finally, we found a fin whale who was trying to be sneaky, but eventually surfaced close to us so we could get some great looks at the second-largest species of whale in the world! Patience paid off today!

May 23, 2026 Opening Weekend!

The start of another season has begun! Winter is behind us, Spring has sprung, and opening weekend for the 2026 season is in the books! Granted, it still may have felt like winter on the water, but our passengers were prepared and ready. The weather only allowed us to get a trip in on Saturday, but we'll take it. We spent time with a foursome of humpback whales associated with a small pod of Atlantic white-sided dolphins. 

Group of four humpback whales!

Atlantic white-sided dolphin and a fluking humpback whale

To make it even more special, some of our crew favorites were among the group. Welcome back to the Jeffreys Ledge area, Owl, Spoon, Fan, and Downsweep! 🩷🩷

Fan the humpback whale

This humpback whale surfaced a few times with seaweed on its head. Whales play too!

Captain Pete's favorite - Owl!

If you have never joined us and are thinking about it, check out the FAQ section of our website for some helpful hints before you arrive! FAQs – Granite State Whale Watch Rye, New Hampshire

Trips are currently running on Saturdays and Sundays. Here's to many more adventures to come and many more moments to share with all of you!

October 11, 2025

The weather decided that today was our final day of the 2025 season. With a weather system coming up the coast, the wind will be cranking, and so we had to soak up every last moment on the water today. The day included humpback whales Spoon and Chromosome, and an uncommon sighting of Common dolphins! 

Pair of humpback whales

Spoon at the surface

Common dolphin

What a fun day wrapping up the season with two humpback whales we have sighted numerous times this year. Thanks, Spoon and Chromosome. 

Spoon

We were also delighted by a pod of approximately 35 Common dolphins zipping through the water. These toothed whales are masters moving through the water, and it was great watching them do just that!

Common dolphins!

Common dolphins have such beautiful shading

Thank you all for another memorable year. It's always special sharing our passion with all of you who are equally as excited as to see what we might come across. Have a wonderful winter, stay warm, and see you all again in 2026!

Friday, October 10, 2025

Crystal clear skies greeted us as we made our way offshore. Visibility was unlimited! As our captain pointed out, we could even see Mount Washington in the very far distance!

If you look reallllllyyyy closely, you can see the outline of Mt. Washington!

We found a humpback whale on our way offshore and watched it for several surfacings before continuing on.

Several small pods of harbor porpoises showed up nearby before we saw some large blows in the distance.

As we watched one humpback whale, suddenly two more showed up! The trio hung out for just a few minutes before one of them moved on, leaving the other two to swim off in a different direction.

As we explored a little more, we found another humpback whale. To our great surprise, this was the whale that left the trio, but it had moved significantly in the short time we left it! Wildlife always keeps us on our toes!

Heading for home, we saw yet another humpback whale! With just one quick look in passing, we could ID it as a whale we had last seen about a month ago!

For our birding friends, we saw several northern gannets, great shearwaters, and even a solitary red-necked phalarope!