Best Time to See Humpback Whales in Florida
March, January and February is the best time to see humpback whales in Florida. Based on 7 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when humpback whales are most active across the year in Florida.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 10, 2026.
7 verified observations of humpback whales in Florida, recorded across 4 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When humpback whales are recorded in Florida
Peak month
March
4 records (57.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 1 | 14.3% |
| Februarypeak | 1 | 14.3% |
| Marchpeak | 4 | 57.1% |
| April | 0 | 0% |
| May | 0 | 0% |
| June | 0 | 0% |
| July | 1 | 14.3% |
| August | 0 | 0% |
| September | 0 | 0% |
| October | 0 | 0% |
| November | 0 | 0% |
| December | 0 | 0% |
Humpback Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Humpback Whale | 7 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Florida
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 52 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 70°F | 52°F | 1.9" |
| Febbest time | 76°F | 57°F | 2.3" |
| Marbest time | 81°F | 60°F | 2.3" |
| Apr | 83°F | 64°F | 4.5" |
| May | 87°F | 68°F | 4.5" |
| Jun | 88°F | 73°F | 9.3" |
| Jul | 88°F | 75°F | 9.6" |
| Aug | 89°F | 76°F | 11.1" |
| Sep | 86°F | 73°F | 11.5" |
| Oct | 82°F | 69°F | 4" |
| Nov | 75°F | 61°F | 4.5" |
| Dec | 72°F | 56°F | 3.8" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Florida. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on humpback whales in Florida:
Sightings of humpback whales in Florida peak in March, when 4 of the year's 7 verified observations are logged — about 57.1% of the annual total. Activity stays high through March, January and February.
The quietest stretch is April, May and June, when humpback whales are hardest to find — no verified records exist for April. 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 Florida 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 Florida
- Big Cypress National Preserve — National Preserve
- Biscayne National Park — National Park
- Canaveral National Seashore — National Seashore
- Dry Tortugas National Park — National Park
- Everglades National Park — National Park
- Gulf Islands National Seashore — National Seashore
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see humpback whales in Florida?+
March is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through March, January and February, based on 7 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are humpback whales hardest to see in Florida?+
April is the quietest month for humpback whales in Florida, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are humpback whales active year-round in Florida?+
Humpback whales are recorded in 4 of 12 months in Florida, concentrated around March and January.
More places to see humpback whales
More wildlife in Florida