Best Time to See Humpback Whales in Alaska
July, June and August is the best time to see humpback whales in Alaska. Based on 2,900 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when humpback 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.
Humpback Whale · Matt Muir CC BY
Humpback Whale · Matt Muir CC BY
North Pacific Humpback Whale · Public domain CC0
2,900 verified observations of humpback whales in Alaska, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When humpback whales are recorded in Alaska
Peak month
July
794 records (27.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 16 | 0.6% |
| February | 17 | 0.6% |
| March | 72 | 2.5% |
| April | 57 | 2% |
| May | 346 | 11.9% |
| Junepeak | 715 | 24.7% |
| Julypeak | 794 | 27.4% |
| Augustpeak | 536 | 18.5% |
| September | 243 | 8.4% |
| October | 50 | 1.7% |
| November | 43 | 1.5% |
| December | 11 | 0.4% |
Humpback Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Humpback Whale | 2,900 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Alaska
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when humpback whales are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for humpback whales sit around 50 to 69 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" |
| Apr | 44°F | 27°F | 1.3" |
| May | 58°F | 41°F | 1.8" |
| Junbest time | 67°F | 50°F | 1.2" |
| Julbest time | 69°F | 54°F | 3.5" |
| Augbest time | 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 humpback whales in Alaska:
Sightings of humpback whales in Alaska peak in July, when 794 of the year's 2,900 verified observations are logged — about 27.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through July, June and August.
The quietest stretch is December and January, when humpback whales are hardest to find — December sees just 11 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The humpback whales you are most likely to encounter in Alaska are Humpback 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 humpback 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
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see humpback whales in Alaska?+
July is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through July, June and August, based on 2,900 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are humpback whales hardest to see in Alaska?+
December is the quietest month for humpback whales in Alaska, with only 11 verified records.
Are humpback whales active year-round in Alaska?+
Humpback whales are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Alaska, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in July.
More places to see humpback whales
More wildlife in Alaska