Blue Whales in California in August
Yes, August is one of the best months to see blue whales in California. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 75 of the 425 sightings logged across the year (17.6%), 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 July 10, 2026.
Peak month for blue whales in California
17.6%
of yearly sightings
75
records in August
#3
busiest month of 12
425
verified records a year
July 21.9%, August 17.6%, September 9.9%. Busiest month is July at 21.9%.
425 verified observations of blue whales in California, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When blue whales are recorded in California
Peak month
July
93 records (21.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 0.5% |
| February | 2 | 0.5% |
| March | 3 | 0.7% |
| April | 7 | 1.6% |
| May | 69 | 16.2% |
| Junepeak | 91 | 21.4% |
| Julypeak | 93 | 21.9% |
| Augustpeak | 75 | 17.6% |
| September | 42 | 9.9% |
| October | 22 | 5.2% |
| November | 17 | 4% |
| December | 2 | 0.5% |
Blue Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Blue Whale | 425 |
In California, August carries 17.6% of the year's blue whales sightings, about 9.3 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 (21.9%) into August, and it heads toward September (9.9%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so August is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The blue whales most often recorded in California are Blue Whale. 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 blue whales you are most likely to see
- Blue Whale425 records
Plan your blue whale trip in California
Start with live tours near Alcatraz Island, 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 Alcatraz Island
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main blue whale viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Alcatraz Island
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Broader backupBook a blue whale tour in California
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 blue whales in California in August?+
Yes. August accounts for 75 of the 425 verified blue whales sightings logged in California across the year, which is 17.6% of the annual total.
Is August a good time to see blue whales in California?+
August is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of July, June and August.
What month is best for blue whales in California?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, June and August, based on 425 verified observations.
Which blue whales are you most likely to see in California?+
The most-recorded species in California are Blue Whale, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See blue whales in California in other months
More wildlife in California