Best Time to See Puffins in Alaska
July, August and June is the best time to see puffins in Alaska. Based on 2,204 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when puffins 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 June 28, 2026.
Tufted Puffin · Nigel Voaden CC BY
Horned Puffin · Nigel Voaden CC BY
Horned Puffin · loisfraser CC BY
2,204 verified observations of puffins in Alaska, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When puffins are recorded in Alaska
Peak month
July
692 records (31.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 3 | 0.1% |
| February | 18 | 0.8% |
| March | 4 | 0.2% |
| April | 8 | 0.4% |
| May | 168 | 7.6% |
| Junepeak | 580 | 26.3% |
| Julypeak | 692 | 31.4% |
| Augustpeak | 640 | 29% |
| September | 85 | 3.9% |
| October | 4 | 0.2% |
| November | 1 | 0% |
| December | 1 | 0% |
Puffins you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Tufted Puffin | 1,139 |
| Horned Puffin | 1,064 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Alaska
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when puffins are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for puffins 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 puffins in Alaska:
Sightings of puffins in Alaska peak in July, when 692 of the year's 2,204 verified observations are logged — about 31.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through July, August and June.
The quietest stretch is November and December, when puffins are hardest to find — November sees just 1 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The puffins you are most likely to encounter in Alaska are Tufted Puffin and Horned Puffin — 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 puffins 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 puffins in Alaska?+
July is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through July, August and June, based on 2,204 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are puffins hardest to see in Alaska?+
November is the quietest month for puffins in Alaska, with only 1 verified records.
Are puffins active year-round in Alaska?+
Puffins 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 puffins
More wildlife in Alaska