Rare Sighting: North Atlantic Right Whale

On Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, a North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) and her calf passed through GTMNERR’s Middle Beach area heading south towards St. Augustine. Many staff ventured out to view this rare event. Each year from November to April, female right whales migrate from their northern feeding grounds to their southern calving areas to give birth and raise their calves. It is among the most endangered of the world’s large whales. Between January and April every year, the Marineland Right Whale Project volunteers and scientists go out each morning to the northeast Florida coastline, including GTM’s beach, to watch for these whales. GTM staff captured a short video of the recent sighting event.