Where to see Hoboken’s Common Terns

In Hoboken, Common Terns are known to have nests on at least three waterfront piers. Common Terns migrate, and the best time to see them in Hoboken is during breeding season, approximately from May through August.

The easiest place to observe Hoboken’s tern colony is from the end of the 12th Street Pier (Google Maps link), which is located on the waterfront at the intersection of Sinatra Drive North and 12th Street near Maxwell Place Park.

From the end of the pier, look northeast towards the end of the adjacent pier to the north. By far, this is where the greatest concentration of terns can be found nesting in Hoboken, although they are also known to nest at a few other locations as well. In addition, the terns can also be observed all along the waterfront, flying and diving for fish in the Hudson River.

Where to observe Common Terns in Hoboken
Where to observe Common Terns in Hoboken
Children observing the tern colony from the end of the 12th Street Pier
Children observing the tern colony from the end of the 12th Street Pier
Common Terns nesting on a waterfront pier
Common Terns nesting on a waterfront pier