Best Time to See Beluga Whales in Alaska
April, August and September is the best time to see beluga whales in Alaska. Based on 266 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when beluga whales are most active across the year in Alaska.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 10, 2026.
266 verified observations of beluga whales in Alaska, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When beluga whales are recorded in Alaska
Peak month
April
76 records (28.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1 | 0.4% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 2 | 0.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 76 | 28.6% |
| May | 12 | 4.5% |
| June | 29 | 10.9% |
| July | 20 | 7.5% |
| Augustpeak | 71 | 26.7% |
| Septemberpeak | 43 | 16.2% |
| October | 8 | 3% |
| November | 2 | 0.8% |
| December | 2 | 0.8% |
Beluga Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Beluga | 266 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Alaska
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when beluga whales are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for beluga whales sit around 27 to 66 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 20°F | 11°F | 1.8" |
| Feb | 24°F | 14°F | 2.4" |
| Mar | 33°F | 19°F | 1.7" |
| Aprbest time | 44°F | 27°F | 1.3" |
| May | 58°F | 41°F | 1.8" |
| Jun | 67°F | 50°F | 1.2" |
| Jul | 69°F | 54°F | 3.5" |
| Augbest time | 66°F | 52°F | 4.5" |
| Sepbest time | 55°F | 43°F | 5.2" |
| Oct | 42°F | 32°F | 3.7" |
| Nov | 27°F | 18°F | 3.6" |
| Dec | 22°F | 12°F | 3.1" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Alaska. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on beluga whales in Alaska:
Sightings of beluga whales in Alaska peak in April, when 76 of the year's 266 verified observations are logged — about 28.6% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, August and September.
The quietest stretch is February and January, when beluga whales are hardest to find — no verified records exist for February. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The beluga whales you are most likely to encounter in Alaska are Beluga — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see beluga whales in Alaska
- Alagnak Wild River — Wild River
- Aleutian Islands World War II National Historic Area — National Historic Area
- Aniakchak National Monument & Preserve — National Monument & Preserve
- Bering Land Bridge National Preserve — National Preserve
- Cape Krusenstern National Monument — National Monument
- Denali National Park & Preserve — National Park & Preserve
Go see them · Alaska
Wildlife Conservation Center & Portage Valley Glaciers
Embark on a scenic journey along the Turnagain Arm. View breathtaking Scenery, keeping a lookout for Beluga whales, Dall Sheep, Bald Eagles, and the...
4.5 hours
From
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Staying over? Compare places to stay near Alagnak Wild River
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see beluga whales in Alaska?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, August and September, based on 266 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are beluga whales hardest to see in Alaska?+
February is the quietest month for beluga whales in Alaska, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are beluga whales active year-round in Alaska?+
Beluga whales are recorded in 11 of 12 months in Alaska, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More places to see beluga whales
More wildlife in Alaska