Best Time to See Jellyfishes in Alaska
July, August and June is the best time to see jellyfishes in Alaska. Based on 1,763 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when jellyfishes 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 2, 2026.
Greater Moon Jelly · Matt Muir CC BY
Northern Sea Nettle · Erin McKittrick CC BY
Pacific Lion's Mane Jelly · Matt Muir CC BY
1,763 verified observations of jellyfishes in Alaska, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When jellyfishes are recorded in Alaska
Peak month
July
417 records (23.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 11 | 0.6% |
| February | 13 | 0.7% |
| March | 26 | 1.5% |
| April | 22 | 1.2% |
| May | 96 | 5.4% |
| Junepeak | 284 | 16.1% |
| Julypeak | 417 | 23.7% |
| Augustpeak | 413 | 23.4% |
| September | 264 | 15% |
| October | 139 | 7.9% |
| November | 47 | 2.7% |
| December | 31 | 1.8% |
Jellyfishes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Pacific Lion's Mane Jelly | 751 |
| Northern Sea Nettle | 536 |
| Greater Moon Jelly | 284 |
| Egg-yolk Jelly | 31 |
| Brown-rimmed Moon Jelly | 16 |
| Pacific Sea Nettle | 1 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Alaska
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when jellyfishes are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for jellyfishes 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.
Sightings of jellyfishes in Alaska peak in July, when 417 of the year's 1,763 verified observations are logged — about 23.7% of the annual total. Activity stays high through July, August and June.
The quietest stretch is January and February, when jellyfishes are hardest to find — January sees just 11 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The jellyfishes you are most likely to encounter in Alaska are Pacific Lion's Mane Jelly, Northern Sea Nettle and Greater Moon Jelly — 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 jellyfishes 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 jellyfishes in Alaska?+
July is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through July, August and June, based on 1,763 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are jellyfishes hardest to see in Alaska?+
January is the quietest month for jellyfishes in Alaska, with only 11 verified records.
Are jellyfishes active year-round in Alaska?+
Jellyfishes 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 jellyfishes
More wildlife in Alaska