Gray Whales in California in May
Yes, May is a good month to see gray whales in California. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 255 of the 1,943 sightings logged across the year (13.1%), 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 July 10, 2026.
Good month for gray whales in California
13.1%
of yearly sightings
255
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
1,943
verified records a year
April 16.4%, May 13.1%, June 5.4%. Busiest month is March at 18.9%.
1,943 verified observations of gray whales in California, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When gray whales are recorded in California
Peak month
March
368 records (18.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 317 | 16.3% |
| February | 246 | 12.7% |
| Marchpeak | 368 | 18.9% |
| Aprilpeak | 318 | 16.4% |
| May | 255 | 13.1% |
| June | 105 | 5.4% |
| July | 85 | 4.4% |
| August | 69 | 3.6% |
| September | 38 | 2% |
| October | 29 | 1.5% |
| November | 29 | 1.5% |
| December | 84 | 4.3% |
Gray Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Grey Whale | 1,943 |
In California, May carries 13.1% of the year's gray whales sightings, about 4.8 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from April (16.4%) into May, and it heads toward June (5.4%) after. The busiest month is March (18.9%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The gray whales most often recorded in California are Grey Whale. 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 gray whales you are most likely to see
- Grey Whale1,943 records
Plan your gray 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 gray whale viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Alcatraz Island
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Broader backupBook a gray 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 gray whales in California in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 255 of the 1,943 verified gray whales sightings logged in California across the year, which is 13.1% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see gray whales in California?+
May is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though March and April is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for gray whales in California?+
March is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through March, April and January, based on 1,943 verified observations.
Which gray whales are you most likely to see in California?+
The most-recorded species in California are Grey Whale, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See gray whales in California in other months
More wildlife in California