The Harbor Porpoise is a small, shy cetacean with a stocky body, small triangular dorsal fin, and barely visible beak. It is one of the most frequently observed small cetaceans in North Atlantic and North Pacific coastal waters but is often missed because it rolls quietly to breathe without splashing. Harbor porpoises have extremely high metabolic rates and must feed almost continuously, consuming roughly 10% of their body weight daily.
Best time to see a Harbor Porpoise
The best time to see a Harbor Porpoise is April–August, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 1,613 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
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Recent Harbor Porpoise sightings near you
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