Blue Whales in California in September
Yes, September is a good month to see blue whales in California. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 42 of the 425 sightings logged across the year (9.9%), 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.
Good month for blue whales in California
9.9%
of yearly sightings
42
records in September
#5
busiest month of 12
425
verified records a year
August 17.6%, September 9.9%, October 5.2%. 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, September carries 9.9% of the year's blue whales sightings, about 1.6 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 (17.6%) into September, and it heads toward October (5.2%) after. The busiest month is July (21.9%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The blue whales most often recorded in California are Blue Whale. 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 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
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Frequently asked questions
Can you see blue whales in California in September?+
Yes. September accounts for 42 of the 425 verified blue whales sightings logged in California across the year, which is 9.9% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see blue whales in California?+
September is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though July and June is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
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