Orcas in California in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see orcas in California. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 70 of the 565 sightings logged across the year (12.4%), 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.
Peak month for orcas in California
12.4%
of yearly sightings
70
records in May
#3
busiest month of 12
565
verified records a year
April 14.3%, May 12.4%, June 7.4%. 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, May carries 12.4% of the year's orcas sightings, about 4.1 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from April (14.3%) into May, and it heads toward June (7.4%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The orcas most often recorded in California are Orca. 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 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 May?+
Yes. May accounts for 70 of the 565 verified orcas sightings logged in California across the year, which is 12.4% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see orcas in California?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of October, April and May.
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