According to a CBS News article, more than 160 whales were spotted off the coast of Massachusetts in ONE DAY on May 25th.

Among the 160 whales spotted last week were the endangered Sei whales, humpback whales, fin whales, sperm whales, orcas and the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale.

I knew there were whales in our oceans, but I had no idea there were so many whales in New England… or that they were so common that you could spot as many as 160 in a single day.

Seeing a whale in the wild is…wild. Whether you see whales up close, from a distance, or watching one jump out of the water, it is an awe-inspiring moment.

It doesn’t matter how many people you’re with or how loud it is. When you see a whale jumping out of the water, your world stops for a few seconds and you can only be amazed.

Where in New England are you most likely to spot whales, either on your own or on a whale watching tour?

Cape Cod:

Provincetown is certainly the hub for whale watching on the Cape. However, there are other places on Cape Cod where you can go whale watching with or without a guide. The Stellwagen Sanctuary, Cape Cod Bay and the Atlantic coast of the Cape are all great hotspots for whale watching.

Stellwagen Bank:

“Stellwagen Bank is a deep-water plateau on the edge of Massachusetts Bay. And it’s one of the best whale-watching destinations in New England,” according to an article in World Wide Boat. The bank is a protected 842-square-mile marine reserve, so you’re sure to spot a whale and other marine life here.

Jeffrey’s ledge:

Trips to Jeffery’s Ledge often begin in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Like Stellwagen Bank, Jeffery’s Ledge is a large drop-off into the ocean off the Gulf of Maine.

If you are from southern Maine or New Hampshire this is the best place for you.

Coast of Maine:

For those coming from more central or northern Maine, trips from Bar Harbor are the best option. Further south in Kennebunk is another hot spot for whale watching.

Narragansett Bay:

This is the Rhode Island shoutout. Due to the warmer water, fin, humpback and minke whales are often spotted here.