WHALES PLAYING OFF THE NEW JERSEY COAST

Title:
Whale Watching off Sandy Hook, NJ | 2024 Atlantic Ocean Adventure

Description:
During the 2024 fishing season off the coast of New Jersey, I had the incredible opportunity to witness humpback whales near Sandy Hook. I was out on the Atlantic Ocean with my wife Andrea and my friend Vasili when we spotted several whales breaching and smacking their fins on the surface—a behavior known as pec-slapping. Scientists believe this is a way whales communicate, assert dominance, or attract a mate.

We carefully followed the whales from a respectful distance and captured this amazing footage, hoping to contribute to Gotham Whale—a marine research group that identifies and tracks whales in the New York and New Jersey area. They use tail fluke photos to identify individual humpbacks, like fingerprints.

Seeing these massive creatures so close to home is unforgettable and shows just how alive and vibrant our local waters have become. This video is a tribute to that experience and the importance of protecting marine life.

🎣 Filmed by: Roger J. Muller Jr.
📍 Location: Atlantic Ocean, near Sandy Hook, NJ
🐋 Whale ID efforts: Gotham Whale

Learn more about whale research and how to get involved:
👉 https://gothamwhale.org/