Humpback Whales in California in May
Yes, May is a good month to see humpback whales in California. It is the 6th busiest month of the year, with 464 of the 5,534 sightings logged across the year (8.4%), 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 humpback whales in California
8.4%
of yearly sightings
464
records in May
#6
busiest month of 12
5,534
verified records a year
April 6.2%, May 8.4%, June 10%. Busiest month is August at 16.8%.
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 |
In California, May carries 8.4% of the year's humpback whales sightings, about 0.1 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 6th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (6.2%) into May, and it heads toward June (10%) after. The busiest month is August (16.8%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The humpback whales most often recorded in California are Humpback 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 humpback whales you are most likely to see
- Humpback Whale5,534 records
Plan your humpback 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 humpback whale viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Alcatraz Island
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best humpback whale viewing area in California.
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Broader backupBook a humpback whale tour in California
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Frequently asked questions
Can you see humpback whales in California in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 464 of the 5,534 verified humpback whales sightings logged in California across the year, which is 8.4% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see humpback whales in California?+
May is the 6th busiest month. It is workable, though August and September is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for humpback whales in California?+
August is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through August, September and October, based on 5,534 verified observations.
Which humpback whales are you most likely to see in California?+
The most-recorded species in California are Humpback Whale, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See humpback whales in California in other months
More wildlife in California