Dolphins in Oregon in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see dolphins in Oregon. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 19 of the 68 sightings logged across the year (27.9%), 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 July 2, 2026.
Peak month for dolphins in Oregon
27.9%
of yearly sightings
19
records in May
#1
busiest month of 12
68
verified records a year
April 11.8%, May 27.9%, June 23.5%. Busiest month is May at 27.9%.
68 verified observations of dolphins in Oregon, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dolphins are recorded in Oregon
Peak month
May
19 records (27.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 1 | 1.5% |
| March | 3 | 4.4% |
| Aprilpeak | 8 | 11.8% |
| Maypeak | 19 | 27.9% |
| Junepeak | 16 | 23.5% |
| July | 3 | 4.4% |
| August | 6 | 8.8% |
| September | 1 | 1.5% |
| October | 5 | 7.4% |
| November | 4 | 5.9% |
| December | 2 | 2.9% |
Dolphins you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Orca | 43 |
| Pacific White-sided Dolphin | 8 |
| Striped Dolphin | 6 |
| Risso's Dolphin | 5 |
| Northern Right Whale Dolphin | 2 |
| Rough-toothed Dolphin | 2 |
| Common Dolphin | 1 |
In Oregon, May carries 27.9% of the year's dolphins sightings, about 19.6 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 11 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (11.8%) into May, and it heads toward June (23.5%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The dolphins most often recorded in Oregon are Orca, Pacific White-sided Dolphin and Striped Dolphin. 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 dolphins you are most likely to see
- Orca43 records
- Pacific White-sided Dolphin8 records
- Striped Dolphin6 records
- Risso's Dolphin5 records
- Northern Right Whale Dolphin2 records
- Rough-toothed Dolphin2 records
Plan your dolphin trip in Oregon
Start with live tours near Crater Lake National Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Crater Lake National Park
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main dolphin viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Crater Lake National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best dolphin viewing area in Oregon.
Viator
Broader backupBook a dolphin tour in Oregon
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see dolphins in Oregon in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 19 of the 68 verified dolphins sightings logged in Oregon across the year, which is 27.9% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see dolphins in Oregon?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, June and April.
What month is best for dolphins in Oregon?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, June and April, based on 68 verified observations.
Which dolphins are you most likely to see in Oregon?+
The most-recorded species in Oregon are Orca, Pacific White-sided Dolphin and Striped Dolphin, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See dolphins in Oregon in other months
More places to see dolphins
More wildlife in Oregon