August 1-2, 2026

Sea conditions were stunning to start the weekend. There was plenty of marine life to look at on both of Saturday's trips. On Saturday morning, we came across six humpback whales and a nursery pod of approximately 60 Atlantic white-sided dolphins. Individuals included Quote, Thistle, Stance, Clamp, Pinball, and Grommet. With such calm seas, watching anything was breathtaking.

Humpback whale with phalaropes flying by

Glass-like conditions!

Atlantic white-sided dolphins

The seas were so calm, even subsurface, the dolphins were astonishing to watch!

Humpback whale and a few dolphins

Numerous sightings continued on Saturday afternoon. There were a few small pods of Atlantic white-sided dolphins scattered around while we watched eight different humpback whales. Wow. 

Pair of humpback whales

A little extra wiggle as this whale dives

Humpback whale mid flipper-slap!

We had a handful of similar whales to the morning, along with a few extra: Grommet, Quote, Thistle, Stance, Orion, Patches, Clamp, and Spika. There was also a minke whale and a couple of grey seals. What a way to start the month of August!

Grey seal

The breeze returned on Sunday, but the waves didn't, and usually don't, deter the whales. It was a bit of an active day, with lots of whales to watch and some surprises. On Sunday morning, we found eight humpback whales, including a group of four! 

Humpback whales

Whales for the trip included Clamp, Spoon, Chromosome, Quote, Bayou, Thistle, Stance, and Spika. Some of our whales were resting, and some were quite the opposite. We were so fortunate to see a pair breach! 

Breaching whales (above and below)

On Sunday afternoon, our luck continued. We spent time with six humpback whales, including Scylla, Quill, Fan, Alligator, Valley, and Owl. Not sure why most of our sightings had so many "L"s in their names. Maybe because we were so lucky. 😁 

Rainbow blow 😍

We watched some of these whales lunge feed and even a few breaches! 

Hungry humpbacks

Owl was by far the most impressive, with such an extended time of active behaviors: lobtailing, tail breaching, flipper slapping; rinse and repeat!

Flipper!

Owl mid tail-breach!

July 31, 2026

 Poor weather conditions on Thursday kept us on land, but we were treated to beautiful, glassy conditions Friday morning! Our trip began with a pair of humpback whales, Bayou and Patches, as they slowly meandered at the surface for a good long while.

Pair of humpback whales

We said goodbye to our pair and continued along until coming across a third humpback, Scylla. This whale was occasionally feeding just beneath the surface in between periods of travel. We began to move back towards the direction of home as we approached a distant spout, which revealed itself to be another humpback, Pixar. This whale exhibited very similar behavior to Scylla as it fed and travelled near the surface. 

Humpback diving

As we spent time with Pixar, Scylla very briefly associated with this whale, before continuing along. We were about to make our way back towards home when a minke whale surfaced nearby. 

Minke and humpback diving

Once we were on our way back towards home, we stopped briefly to get a look at a minke whale mother/calf pair! The same one we were lucky enough to see for the first time last weekend. 

Minke whale calf

Friday afternoon started off with a bang as we ventured offshore and could see distant splashing being created by a flipper slapping humpback whale.

Distant flipper

After getting closer, we were able to get looks at what was actually a pair of humpbacks, Valley and Alligator. Both of these whales spent much time resting near the surface.

Pair of humpbacks

We eventually left these whales to continue on with their day. After some quick searching, we came across another humpback, Pixar, who was doing some feeding at and just underneath the surface of the ocean. As we were about to leave this humpback, we got very brief looks at a minke whale passing in the distance.

Humpback diving

Minke whale diving

As we pressed on, we were able to get a few more quick looks at Valley and Alligator, before coming across a VERY sleepy fin whale.

Fin whale

This whale spent a lot of time hanging just beneath the surface, very occasionally surfacing for a good breath of air. 

July 27-28, 2026

On Monday morning, the wind was minimal- perfect conditions for spotting wildlife, and we did! We first stopped to see a minke whale before spending time with a pod of Atlantic white-sided dolphins. Further offshore, we checked out an ocean sunfish and a basking shark. 

Atlantic white-sided dolphins

Ocean sunfish

Basking shark

We haven't seen a basking shark in weeks; what a fantastic surprise! We ended the trip with a pair of fin whales. Nothing like seeing the second-largest shark and the second-largest whale in the world in one trip!

Fin whale

On Monday afternoon, sightings shifted in a completely different direction. We spent time with four humpback whales, including Fan, Quote, and Pixar. These whales were busy doing some feeding and made for some very impressive moments.

Feeding humpback whales! 

Pair of humpback whales diving

Astonishing lunge-feeding!

Filtering humpback whale

Tuesday morning, we first got a few looks at a fin whale. This whale was spending a LOT of time holding its breath, so we decided to check out some of the other wildlife in the area. 

Fin whale

We saw two minke whales, including one who swam around the boat for almost 15 minutes! I wonder what this whale was thinking the whole time it swam back and forth, watching us watch it. We also had a pod of Atlantic white-sided dolphins swim through the area. Lastly, we found Quill, the humpback whale. 

Atlantic white-sided dolphins

Quill filtering out saltwater as it surfaces

Surprise bird sighting of a black tern (we were in MA)

On Tuesday afternoon, we found four humpback whales and a minke whale. We first started with Pixar just a few miles from home! Next, it was Grommet, Pinball, and Clamp. Along with some great looks at the minke whale that swam alongside us for a bit, it was a wonderful way to finish up the day. 

Minke whale

July 25-26, 2026

Saturday's surprise (on both trips!) was finding a mother-calf whale pair! Searching for and finding whales is fantastic. Coming across a mother-calf pair takes it to a whole other level! On Saturday morning, we first spent time with a minke whale before coming across Pixar, the humpback whale. 

Humpback whale

The extra surprise came later when we found a mother-calf minke whale pair! Seeing this species as a mother-calf pair is rare in our area. Completely remarkable. 

Minke whale mom

Minke whale mother-calf!!! 😍

On Saturday afternoon, we first started with a pair of humpback whales - Pixar and Orion. These whales were occasionally lunging at the surface, enjoying an afternoon meal. 

Humpback whales

Diving humpback whale

We then checked out two ocean sunfish before coming across our second mother-calf pair of the day. This time, it was a humpback whale pair. We wrapped up the day with some stunning looks at Ravine and her 2026 calf. 💙

Ocean sunfish

Ravine and her calf

On Sunday, sightings continued to be seen well inshore of Jeffreys Ledge. Sunday morning, we spent time watching two ocean sunfish, four fin whales (including a pair!), a pod of Atlantic white-sided dolphins, and Pixar, the humpback whale. Such a variety of marine life! 

Ocean sunfish

Pair of fin whales

Atlantic white-sided dolphin

Fin whale

Diving humpback whale

Pixar continued to make itself known as we also spotted this whale during our afternoon trip. This whale was seen creating a couple of bubble clouds. Additionally, we checked out an ocean sunfish and two more humpback whales - Alligator and Seasmoke! 

Subsurface ocean sunfish

Pair of humpback whales

We haven't seen Alligator in a few weeks, and Seasmoke is a new visitor to the Jeffreys Ledge area this season. 

Can you find the pair of humpback whales cruising past Anderson's Ledge buoy?

Such a high vertical lunge from this humpback whale!

Grey seal on our travels home through the Isles of Shoals

Amazingly, in just a few short hours, we get the chance to see where whales are, what they are up to, and who is being seen. Wild animals certainly are mysterious and captivating, all wrapped up in pure awe.