Whales in Alaska in September
Yes, September is a good month to see whales in Alaska. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 1,561 of the 18,644 sightings logged across the year (8.4%), 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 whales in Alaska
8.4%
of yearly sightings
1,561
records in September
#5
busiest month of 12
18,644
verified records a year
August 15.5%, September 8.4%, October 3.5%. 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, September carries 8.4% of the year's whales sightings, about 0.1 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from August (15.5%) into September, and it heads toward October (3.5%) after. The busiest month is June (24.5%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The whales most often recorded in Alaska are Moose, Humpback Whale and Caribou. Those counts are annual totals rather than a September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September 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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Live tours nearbySee live tours near Alagnak Wild River
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main whale viewing area.
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Broader backupBook a whale tour in Alaska
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see whales in Alaska in September?+
Yes. September accounts for 1,561 of the 18,644 verified whales sightings logged in Alaska across the year, which is 8.4% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see whales in Alaska?+
September is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though June and July is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
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