Dolphins in California in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see dolphins in California. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 937 of the 8,463 sightings logged across the year (11.1%), 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 dolphins in California
11.1%
of yearly sightings
937
records in May
#1
busiest month of 12
8,463
verified records a year
April 9.5%, May 11.1%, June 8.8%. Busiest month is May at 11.1%.
8,463 verified observations of dolphins in California, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dolphins are recorded in California
Peak month
May
937 records (11.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 676 | 8% |
| February | 470 | 5.6% |
| March | 727 | 8.6% |
| Aprilpeak | 801 | 9.5% |
| Maypeak | 937 | 11.1% |
| June | 743 | 8.8% |
| July | 652 | 7.7% |
| August | 739 | 8.7% |
| Septemberpeak | 796 | 9.4% |
| October | 748 | 8.8% |
| November | 525 | 6.2% |
| December | 649 | 7.7% |
Dolphins you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Bottlenose Dolphin | 3,708 |
| Common Dolphin | 1,812 |
| Risso's Dolphin | 1,295 |
| Orca | 565 |
| Pacific White-sided Dolphin | 454 |
| Northern Right Whale Dolphin | 116 |
| Striped Dolphin | 12 |
| False Killer Whale | 4 |
In California, May carries 11.1% of the year's dolphins sightings, about 2.8 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (9.5%) into May, and it heads toward June (8.8%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The dolphins most often recorded in California are Common Bottlenose Dolphin, Common Dolphin and Risso's Dolphin. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which dolphins you are most likely to see
- Common Bottlenose Dolphin3,708 records
- Common Dolphin1,812 records
- Risso's Dolphin1,295 records
- Orca565 records
- Pacific White-sided Dolphin454 records
- Northern Right Whale Dolphin116 records
Plan your dolphin 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.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Alcatraz Island
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main dolphin viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Alcatraz Island
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best dolphin viewing area in California.
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Broader backupBook a dolphin 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 dolphins in California in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 937 of the 8,463 verified dolphins sightings logged in California across the year, which is 11.1% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see dolphins in California?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, April and September.
What month is best for dolphins in California?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, April and September, based on 8,463 verified observations.
Which dolphins are you most likely to see in California?+
The most-recorded species in California are Common Bottlenose Dolphin, Common Dolphin and Risso's Dolphin, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See dolphins in California in other months
More places to see dolphins
More wildlife in California