Best Time to See Whales in Florida
March, April and December is the best time to see whales in Florida. Based on 4,574 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when 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 June 28, 2026.
Common Bottlenose Dolphin · Punkus CC BY
Melon-headed Whale · Lucy Keith-Diagne CC BY
Common Bottlenose Dolphin · Robbie CC BY
4,574 verified observations of whales in Florida, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When whales are recorded in Florida
Peak month
March
675 records (14.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 454 | 9.9% |
| February | 442 | 9.7% |
| Marchpeak | 675 | 14.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 563 | 12.3% |
| May | 371 | 8.1% |
| June | 347 | 7.6% |
| July | 308 | 6.7% |
| August | 231 | 5.1% |
| September | 207 | 4.5% |
| October | 225 | 4.9% |
| November | 291 | 6.4% |
| Decemberpeak | 460 | 10.1% |
Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Bottlenose Dolphin | 3,208 |
| Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin | 843 |
| North Atlantic Right Whale | 26 |
| Atlantic Spotted Dolphin | 10 |
| Sperm Whale | 8 |
| Humpback Whale | 7 |
| Short-finned Pilot Whale | 5 |
| Pygmy Sperm Whale | 4 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Florida
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when whales are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for whales sit around 56 to 83 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 70°F | 52°F | 1.9" |
| Feb | 76°F | 57°F | 2.3" |
| Marbest time | 81°F | 60°F | 2.3" |
| Aprbest time | 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" |
| Decbest time | 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.
Sightings of whales in Florida peak in March, when 675 of the year's 4,574 verified observations are logged — about 14.8% of the annual total. Activity stays high through March, April and December.
The quietest stretch is September, October and August, when whales are hardest to find — September sees just 207 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The whales you are most likely to encounter in Florida are Common Bottlenose Dolphin, Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin and North Atlantic Right 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 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 whales in Florida?+
March is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through March, April and December, based on 4,574 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are whales hardest to see in Florida?+
September is the quietest month for whales in Florida, with only 207 verified records.
Are whales active year-round in Florida?+
Whales are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Florida, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in March.
More places to see whales
More wildlife in Florida