Best Time to See Gray Whales in Alaska
April, June and May is the best time to see gray whales in Alaska. Based on 139 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when gray 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.
139 verified observations of gray whales in Alaska, recorded across 8 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When gray whales are recorded in Alaska
Peak month
April
35 records (25.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 6 | 4.3% |
| Aprilpeak | 35 | 25.2% |
| Maypeak | 28 | 20.1% |
| Junepeak | 35 | 25.2% |
| July | 16 | 11.5% |
| August | 11 | 7.9% |
| September | 4 | 2.9% |
| October | 0 | 0% |
| November | 4 | 2.9% |
| December | 0 | 0% |
Gray Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Grey Whale | 139 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Alaska
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when gray whales are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for gray whales sit around 27 to 67 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" |
| Maybest time | 58°F | 41°F | 1.8" |
| Junbest time | 67°F | 50°F | 1.2" |
| Jul | 69°F | 54°F | 3.5" |
| Aug | 66°F | 52°F | 4.5" |
| Sep | 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 gray whales in Alaska:
Sightings of gray whales in Alaska peak in April, when 35 of the year's 139 verified observations are logged — about 25.2% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, June and May.
The quietest stretch is January, February and October, when gray whales are hardest to find — no verified records exist for January. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The gray whales you are most likely to encounter in Alaska are Grey Whale — 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 gray 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
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see gray whales in Alaska?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, June and May, based on 139 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are gray whales hardest to see in Alaska?+
January is the quietest month for gray whales in Alaska, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are gray whales active year-round in Alaska?+
Gray whales are recorded in 8 of 12 months in Alaska, concentrated around April and June.
More places to see gray whales
More wildlife in Alaska