Gray Whales in Oregon in September
Yes, September is one of the best months to see gray whales in Oregon. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 75 of the 469 sightings logged across the year (16%), 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 10, 2026.
Peak month for gray whales in Oregon
16%
of yearly sightings
75
records in September
#3
busiest month of 12
469
verified records a year
August 20.9%, September 16%, October 5.5%. Busiest month is July at 24.5%.
469 verified observations of gray whales in Oregon, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When gray whales are recorded in Oregon
Peak month
July
115 records (24.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 9 | 1.9% |
| February | 2 | 0.4% |
| March | 19 | 4.1% |
| April | 25 | 5.3% |
| May | 31 | 6.6% |
| June | 49 | 10.4% |
| Julypeak | 115 | 24.5% |
| Augustpeak | 98 | 20.9% |
| Septemberpeak | 75 | 16% |
| October | 26 | 5.5% |
| November | 13 | 2.8% |
| December | 7 | 1.5% |
Gray Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Grey Whale | 469 |
In Oregon, September carries 16% of the year's gray whales sightings, about 7.7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from August (20.9%) into September, and it heads toward October (5.5%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so September is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The gray whales most often recorded in Oregon are Grey Whale. Those counts are annual totals rather than a September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September itself.
Which gray whales you are most likely to see
- Grey Whale469 records
Plan your gray whale 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 gray whale viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Crater Lake National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best gray whale viewing area in Oregon.
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Broader backupBook a gray whale 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 gray whales in Oregon in September?+
Yes. September accounts for 75 of the 469 verified gray whales sightings logged in Oregon across the year, which is 16% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see gray whales in Oregon?+
September is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of July, August and September.
What month is best for gray whales in Oregon?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, August and September, based on 469 verified observations.
Which gray whales are you most likely to see in Oregon?+
The most-recorded species in Oregon are Grey Whale, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See gray whales in Oregon in other months
More wildlife in Oregon