Humpback Whales in Alaska in May
Yes, May is a good month to see humpback whales in Alaska. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 346 of the 2,900 sightings logged across the year (11.9%), 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.
Good month for humpback whales in Alaska
11.9%
of yearly sightings
346
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
2,900
verified records a year
April 2%, May 11.9%, June 24.7%. Busiest month is July at 27.4%.
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 |
In Alaska, May carries 11.9% of the year's humpback whales sightings, about 3.6 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 April (2%) into May, and it heads toward June (24.7%) after. The busiest month is July (27.4%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The humpback whales most often recorded in Alaska are Humpback Whale. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which humpback whales you are most likely to see
- Humpback Whale2,900 records
Plan your humpback 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 humpback whale viewing area.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you see humpback whales in Alaska in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 346 of the 2,900 verified humpback whales sightings logged in Alaska across the year, which is 11.9% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see humpback whales in Alaska?+
May is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though July and June is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for humpback whales in Alaska?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, June and August, based on 2,900 verified observations.
Which humpback whales are you most likely to see in Alaska?+
The most-recorded species in Alaska are Humpback Whale, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See humpback whales in Alaska in other months
More wildlife in Alaska