Humpback whales, which were at one point endangered and rare in New York City ? due to pollution and decades of commercial whaling ? are becoming more and more common as the Hudson River Estuary has become healthier and cleaner.

Yes, there have been numerous documented sightings of whales in the Hudson River, a phenomenon that has become more frequent in the 2020s. Humpback whales are the most common visitors, often following schools of "menhaden" (baitfish) into the harbor and up the river as far north as the George Washington Bridge. In recent years, including 2025 and early 2026, improved water quality and successful fisheries management have made the Hudson a viable feeding ground for these marine giants. While sightings are exciting for New Yorkers, they pose significant risks; the Hudson is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, and whales in the river are at high risk for ship strikes and entanglement in debris. The North Atlantic Right Whale, a critically endangered species, is also closely monitored by NOAA in the nearby coastal waters during the 2026 calving season, though they rarely venture as deep into the river as the more curious and agile humpbacks.