When most people think of whale watching in NYC, they’re most likely envisioning an afternoon at the NY Aquarium. But actually within the last few years, whales have been seen feeding off the shores of the city, and in ever-increasing numbers.

According to the BBC, whale-watchers have spotted the species in the Atlantic within a mile of the Rockaway peninsula in Queens. In 2014, 106 humpback whale sightings have been reported, up from 33 in 2013 and only 15 in 2012.

No one is exactly sure why the whales suddenly find NY harbor so attractive. Theories include a shift in basic whale behavior habits, as well as more abundant menhaden as a result of cleaner waters (menhaden are small fish which are delicious to humpbacks.)

In any event, whales frolicking in NYC waters seems like a great thing to us. And of course, we’re not the only ones:

“It is truly remarkable, within miles of the Empire State Building, to have one of the largest and most charismatic species ever to be on this planet,” said Howard Rosenbaum, director of the Ocean Giants program at the Wildlife Conservation Society.