Orcas in Alaska in May
Yes, May is a good month to see orcas in Alaska. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 163 of the 1,117 sightings logged across the year (14.6%), 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 June 28, 2026.
Good month for orcas in Alaska
14.6%
of yearly sightings
163
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
1,117
verified records a year
April 2.2%, May 14.6%, June 30.3%. Busiest month is June at 30.3%.
1,117 verified observations of orcas in Alaska, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When orcas are recorded in Alaska
Peak month
June
339 records (30.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 5 | 0.4% |
| February | 2 | 0.2% |
| March | 7 | 0.6% |
| April | 25 | 2.2% |
| May | 163 | 14.6% |
| Junepeak | 339 | 30.3% |
| Julypeak | 261 | 23.4% |
| Augustpeak | 212 | 19% |
| September | 78 | 7% |
| October | 11 | 1% |
| November | 10 | 0.9% |
| December | 4 | 0.4% |
Orcas you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Orca | 1,117 |
In Alaska, May carries 14.6% of the year's orcas sightings, about 6.3 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 (2.2%) into May, and it heads toward June (30.3%) after. The busiest month is June (30.3%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The orcas most often recorded in Alaska are Orca. 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 orcas you are most likely to see
- Orca1,117 records
Plan your orca 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 orca viewing area.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you see orcas in Alaska in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 163 of the 1,117 verified orcas sightings logged in Alaska across the year, which is 14.6% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see orcas in Alaska?+
May is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though June and July is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for orcas in Alaska?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and August, based on 1,117 verified observations.
Which orcas are you most likely to see in Alaska?+
The most-recorded species in Alaska are Orca, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See orcas in Alaska in other months
More wildlife in Alaska