Beluga Whales in Alaska in August
Yes, August is one of the best months to see beluga whales in Alaska. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 71 of the 266 sightings logged across the year (26.7%), 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 July 10, 2026.
Peak month for beluga whales in Alaska
26.7%
of yearly sightings
71
records in August
#2
busiest month of 12
266
verified records a year
July 7.5%, August 26.7%, September 16.2%. Busiest month is April at 28.6%.
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 |
In Alaska, August carries 26.7% of the year's beluga whales sightings, about 18.4 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 11 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from July (7.5%) into August, and it heads toward September (16.2%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so August is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The beluga whales most often recorded in Alaska are Beluga. Those counts are annual totals rather than a August split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in August itself.
Which beluga whales you are most likely to see
- Beluga266 records
Plan your beluga whale trip in Alaska
Start with live tours near Alagnak Wild River, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
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Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main beluga whale viewing area.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you see beluga whales in Alaska in August?+
Yes. August accounts for 71 of the 266 verified beluga whales sightings logged in Alaska across the year, which is 26.7% of the annual total.
Is August a good time to see beluga whales in Alaska?+
August is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of April, August and September.
What month is best for beluga whales in Alaska?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, August and September, based on 266 verified observations.
Which beluga whales are you most likely to see in Alaska?+
The most-recorded species in Alaska are Beluga, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See beluga whales in Alaska in other months
More wildlife in Alaska