Whales in Alabama in January
Yes, January is a good month to see whales in Alabama. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 421 of the 3,981 sightings logged across the year (10.6%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Good month for whales in Alabama
10.6%
of yearly sightings
421
records in January
#4
busiest month of 12
3,981
verified records a year
December 7.3%, January 10.6%, February 8.5%. Busiest month is September at 12.7%.
3,981 verified observations of whales in Alabama, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When whales are recorded in Alabama
Peak month
September
504 records (12.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 421 | 10.6% |
| February | 339 | 8.5% |
| March | 346 | 8.7% |
| April | 224 | 5.6% |
| May | 228 | 5.7% |
| June | 235 | 5.9% |
| July | 212 | 5.3% |
| August | 302 | 7.6% |
| Septemberpeak | 504 | 12.7% |
| Octoberpeak | 442 | 11.1% |
| Novemberpeak | 439 | 11% |
| December | 289 | 7.3% |
Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| White-tailed Deer | 3,262 |
| Common Bottlenose Dolphin | 365 |
| Wild Boar | 247 |
| Domestic Cattle | 15 |
| Domestic Goat | 15 |
| European Fallow Deer | 3 |
| Sperm Whale | 2 |
In Alabama, January carries 10.6% of the year's whales sightings, about 2.3 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from December (7.3%) into January, and it heads toward February (8.5%) after. The busiest month is September (12.7%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The whales most often recorded in Alabama are White-tailed Deer, Common Bottlenose Dolphin and Wild Boar. Those counts are annual totals rather than a January split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in January itself.
Which whales you are most likely to see
- White-tailed Deer3,262 records
- Common Bottlenose Dolphin365 records
- Wild Boar247 records
- Domestic Cattle15 records
- Domestic Goat15 records
- European Fallow Deer3 records
Plan your whale trip in Alabama
Start with live tours near Horseshoe Bend National Military Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Horseshoe Bend National Military Park
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main whale viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Horseshoe Bend National Military Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best whale viewing area in Alabama.
Viator
Broader backupBook a whale tour in Alabama
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see whales in Alabama in January?+
Yes. January accounts for 421 of the 3,981 verified whales sightings logged in Alabama across the year, which is 10.6% of the annual total.
Is January a good time to see whales in Alabama?+
January is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though September and October is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for whales in Alabama?+
September is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through September, October and November, based on 3,981 verified observations.
Which whales are you most likely to see in Alabama?+
The most-recorded species in Alabama are White-tailed Deer, Common Bottlenose Dolphin and Wild Boar, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See whales in Alabama in other months
More wildlife in Alabama