Best Time to See Humpback Whales in California
August, September and October is the best time to see humpback whales in California. Based on 5,534 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when humpback whales are most active across the year in California.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 10, 2026.
Humpback Whale · Ken-ichi Ueda CC BY
Humpback Whale · Zack Abbey CC BY
Humpback Whale · Linzy L. CC BY-SA
5,534 verified observations of humpback whales in California, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When humpback whales are recorded in California
Peak month
August
928 records (16.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 83 | 1.5% |
| February | 55 | 1% |
| March | 204 | 3.7% |
| April | 343 | 6.2% |
| May | 464 | 8.4% |
| June | 556 | 10% |
| July | 690 | 12.5% |
| Augustpeak | 928 | 16.8% |
| Septemberpeak | 918 | 16.6% |
| Octoberpeak | 760 | 13.7% |
| November | 376 | 6.8% |
| December | 157 | 2.8% |
Humpback Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Humpback Whale | 5,534 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in California
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when humpback whales are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for humpback whales sit around 46 to 93 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 53°F | 31°F | 5.6" |
| Feb | 53°F | 30°F | 4.4" |
| Mar | 55°F | 33°F | 7.3" |
| Apr | 66°F | 40°F | 1.8" |
| May | 73°F | 46°F | 1.6" |
| Jun | 84°F | 55°F | 0.2" |
| Jul | 94°F | 62°F | 0" |
| Augbest time | 93°F | 62°F | 0.3" |
| Sepbest time | 85°F | 57°F | 0.8" |
| Octbest time | 73°F | 46°F | 1.2" |
| Nov | 61°F | 36°F | 2.3" |
| Dec | 53°F | 33°F | 7.8" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for California. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on humpback whales in California:
Sightings of humpback whales in California peak in August, when 928 of the year's 5,534 verified observations are logged — about 16.8% of the annual total. Activity stays high through August, September and October.
The quietest stretch is February, when humpback whales are hardest to find — February sees just 55 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The humpback whales you are most likely to encounter in California are Humpback Whale — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see humpback whales in California
- Alcatraz Island
- Cabrillo National Monument — National Monument
- Channel Islands National Park — National Park
- Death Valley National Park — National Park
- Devils Postpile National Monument — National Monument
- Golden Gate National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
Go see them · California
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Staying over? Compare places to stay near Alcatraz Island
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see humpback whales in California?+
August is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through August, September and October, based on 5,534 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are humpback whales hardest to see in California?+
February is the quietest month for humpback whales in California, with only 55 verified records.
Are humpback whales active year-round in California?+
Humpback whales are recorded in 12 of 12 months in California, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in August.
More places to see humpback whales
More wildlife in California