Orcas in California in December
Yes, December is a good month to see orcas in California. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 53 of the 565 sightings logged across the year (9.4%), 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 June 28, 2026.
Good month for orcas in California
9.4%
of yearly sightings
53
records in December
#4
busiest month of 12
565
verified records a year
November 4.1%, December 9.4%, January 4.1%. Busiest month is October at 21.6%.
565 verified observations of orcas in California, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When orcas are recorded in California
Peak month
October
122 records (21.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 23 | 4.1% |
| February | 6 | 1.1% |
| March | 48 | 8.5% |
| Aprilpeak | 81 | 14.3% |
| Maypeak | 70 | 12.4% |
| June | 42 | 7.4% |
| July | 8 | 1.4% |
| August | 39 | 6.9% |
| September | 50 | 8.8% |
| Octoberpeak | 122 | 21.6% |
| November | 23 | 4.1% |
| December | 53 | 9.4% |
Orcas you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Orca | 565 |
In California, December carries 9.4% of the year's orcas sightings, about 1.1 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 rising from November (4.1%) into December, and it heads toward January (4.1%) after. The busiest month is October (21.6%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The orcas most often recorded in California are Orca. Those counts are annual totals rather than a December split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in December itself.
Which orcas you are most likely to see
- Orca565 records
Plan your orca 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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Frequently asked questions
Can you see orcas in California in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 53 of the 565 verified orcas sightings logged in California across the year, which is 9.4% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see orcas in California?+
December is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though October and April is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for orcas in California?+
October is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through October, April and May, based on 565 verified observations.
Which orcas are you most likely to see in California?+
The most-recorded species in California are Orca, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See orcas in California in other months
More wildlife in California