Whales in Alaska in August
Yes, August is one of the best months to see whales in Alaska. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 2,883 of the 18,644 sightings logged across the year (15.5%), 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.
Peak month for whales in Alaska
15.5%
of yearly sightings
2,883
records in August
#3
busiest month of 12
18,644
verified records a year
July 18.9%, August 15.5%, September 8.4%. Busiest month is June at 24.5%.
18,644 verified observations of whales in Alaska, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When whales are recorded in Alaska
Peak month
June
4,575 records (24.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 355 | 1.9% |
| February | 406 | 2.2% |
| March | 718 | 3.9% |
| April | 831 | 4.5% |
| May | 2,516 | 13.5% |
| Junepeak | 4,575 | 24.5% |
| Julypeak | 3,521 | 18.9% |
| Augustpeak | 2,883 | 15.5% |
| September | 1,561 | 8.4% |
| October | 655 | 3.5% |
| November | 355 | 1.9% |
| December | 268 | 1.4% |
Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Moose | 7,476 |
| Humpback Whale | 2,864 |
| Caribou | 1,917 |
| Thinhorn Sheep | 1,399 |
| Orca | 1,117 |
| Mule Deer | 1,105 |
| Mountain Goat | 875 |
| Muskox | 622 |
In Alaska, August carries 15.5% of the year's whales sightings, about 7.2 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from July (18.9%) into August, and it heads toward September (8.4%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so August is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The whales most often recorded in Alaska are Moose, Humpback Whale and Caribou. Those counts are annual totals rather than a August split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in August itself.
Which whales you are most likely to see
- Moose7,476 records
- Humpback Whale2,864 records
- Caribou1,917 records
- Thinhorn Sheep1,399 records
- Orca1,117 records
- Mule Deer1,105 records
Plan your 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 whale viewing area.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you see whales in Alaska in August?+
Yes. August accounts for 2,883 of the 18,644 verified whales sightings logged in Alaska across the year, which is 15.5% of the annual total.
Is August a good time to see whales in Alaska?+
August is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, July and August.
What month is best for whales in Alaska?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and August, based on 18,644 verified observations.
Which whales are you most likely to see in Alaska?+
The most-recorded species in Alaska are Moose, Humpback Whale and Caribou, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See whales in Alaska in other months
More wildlife in Alaska