Blue whales were spotted off Massachusetts in February 2026—marking a rare, first-time occurrence in the region’s southern survey zone within 24 hours.

Blue whales were spotted off Massachusetts in late February 2026—two near Martha’s Vineyard and one near Lydonia Canyon—marking the first time such sightings occurred in the region’s southern survey zone and within a 24-hour period. The rare appearances, outside their typical Canadian feeding grounds, suggest shifting ocean conditions may be affecting whale movements. Scientists from the New England Aquarium documented the sightings during an aerial survey over the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, also observing endangered fin and sperm whales, pilot whales, and hundreds of dolphins. With only 400 to 600 blue whales estimated in the western North Atlantic, each sighting provides critical data on their distribution and behavior.