Best Time to See Whales in Mississippi
September, July and June is the best time to see whales in Mississippi. Based on 148 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when whales are most active across the year in Mississippi.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
Common Bottlenose Dolphin · Public domain CC0
Common Bottlenose Dolphin · Tia Offner CC BY
Common Bottlenose Dolphin · evangrimes CC BY
148 verified observations of whales in Mississippi, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When whales are recorded in Mississippi
Peak month
September
25 records (16.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4 | 2.7% |
| February | 14 | 9.5% |
| March | 14 | 9.5% |
| April | 9 | 6.1% |
| May | 13 | 8.8% |
| Junepeak | 15 | 10.1% |
| Julypeak | 20 | 13.5% |
| August | 12 | 8.1% |
| Septemberpeak | 25 | 16.9% |
| October | 8 | 5.4% |
| November | 8 | 5.4% |
| December | 6 | 4.1% |
Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Bottlenose Dolphin | 144 |
| Fin Whale | 1 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Mississippi
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 69 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 57°F | 40°F | 6" |
| Feb | 61°F | 42°F | 6.7" |
| Mar | 69°F | 49°F | 5.4" |
| Apr | 74°F | 54°F | 7.5" |
| May | 82°F | 63°F | 4.9" |
| Junbest time | 89°F | 70°F | 4.5" |
| Julbest time | 90°F | 74°F | 6" |
| Aug | 90°F | 74°F | 5.7" |
| Sepbest time | 88°F | 69°F | 2.8" |
| Oct | 77°F | 58°F | 4.3" |
| Nov | 66°F | 46°F | 2.9" |
| Dec | 61°F | 44°F | 5.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Mississippi. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of whales in Mississippi peak in September, when 25 of the year's 148 verified observations are logged — about 16.9% of the annual total. Activity stays high through September, July and June.
The quietest stretch is January and December, when whales are hardest to find — January sees just 4 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 Mississippi are Common Bottlenose Dolphin and Fin 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 Mississippi
- Gulf Islands National Seashore — National Seashore
- Natchez Trace Parkway — Parkway
- Shiloh National Military Park — National Military Park
- Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site — National Battlefield Site
- Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument — National Monument
- Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument — National Monument
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see whales in Mississippi?+
September is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through September, July and June, based on 148 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are whales hardest to see in Mississippi?+
January is the quietest month for whales in Mississippi, with only 4 verified records.
Are whales active year-round in Mississippi?+
Whales are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Mississippi, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in September.
More places to see whales
More wildlife in Mississippi