You can go whale watching from Wildwood without a long drive. One boat leaves from Wildwood Crest, about a mile from Coastal Sands Inn, and two Cape May fleets sail from marinas about 5.5 miles south. Below is what each boat offers, when the whale trips run, and how to plan the day. Details are from each operator’s website as of November 3, 2026; schedules change, so check before you go. Wondering why New Jersey became a whale spot at all? Read Is New Jersey Good for Whale Watching?

Coastal Sands Inn lit up at night, Wildwood NJ
Coastal Sands Inn, 4110 Atlantic Ave, Wildwood. Open mid-October through April.

The boats

Starlight Fleet: whale watching from Wildwood Crest

The Atlantic Star, a 100-foot boat that holds up to 150 passengers, runs “The Big One,” a 3-hour whale, dolphin and bird trip from 6200 Park Boulevard in Wildwood Crest. It leaves Sunset Lake, runs through Jarvis Sound and out Cape May Inlet, and can go 12 to 14 miles offshore to look for whales. A marine biologist leads each trip, and there’s a touch tank and plankton lab on board. Starlight guarantees a marine mammal sighting, a dolphin or a whale, or your next trip is free. Outside food, drinks and coolers aren’t allowed; there’s a galley. Dates are on the calendar at starlightfleetnj.com.

Cape May Whale Watch & Research Center

The American Star, also 100 feet, sails from South Jersey Marina on Route 109 in Cape May. Its 3-hour Whale, Dolphin & Bird Watch typically heads 3 to 15 miles offshore looking for humpback, fin and minke whales, led by an onboard marine biologist and naturalist. Trips are capped at 149 passengers, parking is free, outside food is allowed (no coolers or outside alcohol), and leashed dogs are welcome. If you see no whales or dolphins, you get a return voucher that never expires. As of November 3, 2026, its booking calendar lists the 1:30 p.m. trip on most Fridays through Mondays in November.

Cape May Whale Watcher

Run by the Stewart family since 1993 from Miss Chris Marina on Wilson Drive, Cape May Whale Watcher sails from March through December. Its 3-hour Whale & Dolphin Watch leaves at 1 p.m. from May through October. In June, July and August, a 2.5-hour weekend whale and dolphin cruise leaves Saturdays and Sundays at 10 a.m. with a continental breakfast. Parking at the marina is free, the boarding ramps are ADA compliant, and the marine mammal guarantee comes with a free pass that never expires.

When to go

Summer is the busiest season, and Cape May Whale Watcher schedules its 3-hour whale trip from May through October. Visiting in the off-season? As of early November 2026, the Research Center’s 1:30 p.m. whale trip is the one still on the calendar, and Cape May Whale Watcher’s fleet keeps sailing into December with dolphin and holiday cruises. Bottlenose dolphins are close to a sure thing: the Research Center says it sees them on about 98% of trips from March to December. Humpbacks are the main whale and fin and minke whales turn up too. The Research Center also lists the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale as a possible sighting.

Planning the day

  • Getting there: Starlight’s dock is on Park Boulevard in Wildwood Crest, about a mile from Coastal Sands. The Cape May marinas are on Wilson Drive and Route 109. Starlight’s FAQ puts Wildwood 15 to 20 minutes from Cape May by car, plus a few minutes if a drawbridge is up.
  • Parking: both Cape May fleets offer free parking at their marinas.
  • Dress warm: it’s cooler on the water than on the beach, so bring a layer even in summer.
  • Book ahead: the operators say trips often sell out.
  • Seasickness: Starlight and the Research Center sell sea bands and Dramamine at the dock.

Make a day of it in Cape May: the Cape May Lighthouse and the Washington Street Mall are a short drive from the marinas.

Where to stay

Coastal Sands Inn, 4110 Atlantic Ave, Wildwood, is open from mid-October through April, about a mile from the Starlight Fleet dock and about 5.5 miles from the Cape May marinas. Book Coastal Sands

Planning a summer trip? Beachside Resort, Sunset Beach Hotel, Sunrise Inn and Paradise Inn reopen in April. Compare all five on our hotels in Wildwood page.

Quick answers

Is there whale watching in Wildwood, NJ?

Yes. Starlight Fleet runs a 3-hour whale, dolphin and bird trip from 6200 Park Blvd in Wildwood Crest, and two Cape May fleets sail from marinas about 5.5 miles south.

How long is a whale-watching trip from Cape May?

The main whale trips run about 3 hours. Cape May Whale Watcher’s summer weekend cruise is 2.5 hours.

Do the whale watches guarantee sightings?

Each offers a marine mammal sighting guarantee, whales or dolphins. If you see none, Starlight gives you another trip free, and the Research Center and Cape May Whale Watcher give you a return pass that never expires.


Add a stop at Cape May County wineries on the way back.

Another boat ride from Cape May: the Cape May-Lewes Ferry day trip.