Core experience
Whale Watching Tour
A Belmar shoreline outing aboard the 115-foot Jersey Girl, with room to watch for whales, dolphins, sharks, and rays while taking in the coast.
Belmar, New Jersey
Whale watching from Belmar, NJ.
Step aboard the Jersey Girl for wildlife, coastal views, private gatherings, and family marine-science experiences along the Jersey Shore.
See a humpback whale, or your next trip is free.
As seen on
MSNBC
News 12 NJ
NBC New York
The original Jersey Shore whale watch, sailing since 2016.
Departures from Belmar Marina on the Jersey Shore. Explore the trip that fits your day, group, and time on the water.
Find your view
Choose the water time that fits your day.
From a short morning wildlife outing to an evening cruise under a changing sky, each experience begins in Belmar and puts the coast at the center of the day.
Shorter wildlife outing
Dolphins, Birds and Sharks Tour
Look for bottlenose dolphins, birds, seals, and other coastal wildlife on a shorter morning cruise built for curious families and visitors.
Featured evening experience
The shoreline changes when the sun starts to set.
Jersey Shore Whale Watch’s Sunset Cruise departs from Belmar for a two-hour nature-and-coastline experience, then slows into the evening with music and open water ahead.
A practical day on the water
Bring the whole group, then find the horizon.
The Jersey Girl is a 115-foot vessel with seating for 133, indoor and outdoor areas, two full-size restrooms, food service, and a bar. The dolphin tour is wheelchair, walker, and stroller accessible.
Those details matter when you are bringing a child, planning a group day, or choosing between an all-outdoor boat and a vessel with room to settle in.
BelmarJersey Shore departures
115 feetVessel length
133 seatsPassenger capacity
Since 2016Sailing the Jersey Shore
Groups on the water
Plan a private cruise with room for your people.
Private Charters and Group Buys serve school, camp, scouting, bus-tour, college, research, birding, and family-group plans. Group rates are available for parties of 20 or more.
- Private whale watches: 3–4 hour options.
- Sunset charters: two or three hours.
- Group scale: two boats can serve groups of up to 300.
- Planning policy: a $500 deposit, refundable up to 15 days before your trip.
From the water
Follow recent Jersey Shore sightings.
Whale reports preserve the on-water stories behind the trips, from humpbacks near Long Branch to dolphins near Spring Lake and Asbury Park.
Trip Report: Belmar Whale Watching, June 2025
Four humpback whales, hundreds of dolphins, and feeding activity near the Jersey Shore.
Read the June 2025 whale-watch reportWhale Watching Report: June 21, 2025
Two breaching humpback whales off Long Branch, dolphins near Spring Lake, and brown pelicans.
Read the June 21, 2025 report
For young ocean observers
Marine Science Explorers Camp comes aboard the Jersey Girl.
The 2026 camp is a boat-based Belmar program for children ages 6–12, with daily ocean and ecosystem learning and a Friday family dolphin-tour component.
Before you step aboard
A few useful things to know.
What is the Jersey Girl like?
The Jersey Girl has indoor and outdoor seating for 133, two full-size restrooms, a bar, and food service. Read the general boat FAQ.
Does the trip stay near shore?
We operate close to shore, with land generally visible while the boat travels roughly two miles offshore. Exact routes vary with wildlife and conditions.
What happens if no whale is seen?
If you don't see a whale on your trip, your next trip is free. Seasonal and booking-fee terms apply. Read the full whale-sighting policy.