Best Time to See Humpback Whales in Delaware
May, March and April is the best time to see humpback whales in Delaware. Based on 12 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when humpback whales are most active across the year in Delaware.
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 · botanygirl CC BY
Humpback Whale · Public domain CC0
Humpback Whale · inbetweenbays CC BY
12 verified observations of humpback whales in Delaware, recorded across 8 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When humpback whales are recorded in Delaware
Peak month
May
3 records (25% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1 | 8.3% |
| February | 1 | 8.3% |
| Marchpeak | 2 | 16.7% |
| Aprilpeak | 2 | 16.7% |
| Maypeak | 3 | 25% |
| June | 1 | 8.3% |
| July | 0 | 0% |
| August | 0 | 0% |
| September | 0 | 0% |
| October | 1 | 8.3% |
| November | 0 | 0% |
| December | 1 | 8.3% |
Humpback Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Humpback Whale | 12 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Delaware
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 39 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 44°F | 32°F | 2.9" |
| Feb | 47°F | 33°F | 3.8" |
| Marbest time | 54°F | 39°F | 3.8" |
| Aprbest time | 63°F | 48°F | 4.5" |
| Maybest time | 70°F | 56°F | 3.9" |
| Jun | 79°F | 66°F | 3.9" |
| Jul | 86°F | 73°F | 6" |
| Aug | 83°F | 72°F | 5.1" |
| Sep | 77°F | 65°F | 4.3" |
| Oct | 68°F | 55°F | 4.4" |
| Nov | 56°F | 43°F | 2.8" |
| Dec | 48°F | 36°F | 4.8" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Delaware. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on humpback whales in Delaware:
Sightings of humpback whales in Delaware peak in May, when 3 of the year's 12 verified observations are logged — about 25% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, March and April.
The quietest stretch is July, August and September, when humpback whales are hardest to find — no verified records exist for July. 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 Delaware 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 Delaware
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake Bay
- First State National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see humpback whales in Delaware?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, March and April, based on 12 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are humpback whales hardest to see in Delaware?+
July is the quietest month for humpback whales in Delaware, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are humpback whales active year-round in Delaware?+
Humpback whales are recorded in 8 of 12 months in Delaware, concentrated around May and March.
More places to see humpback whales
More wildlife in Delaware