Humpback Whales in Oregon in December
Yes, December is a good month to see humpback whales in Oregon. It is the 6th busiest month of the year, with 5 of the 62 sightings logged across the year (8.1%), 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.
Good month for humpback whales in Oregon
8.1%
of yearly sightings
5
records in December
#6
busiest month of 12
62
verified records a year
November 6.5%, December 8.1%, January 4.8%. Busiest month is July at 19.4%.
62 verified observations of humpback whales in Oregon, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When humpback whales are recorded in Oregon
Peak month
July
12 records (19.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 3 | 4.8% |
| February | 2 | 3.2% |
| March | 0 | 0% |
| April | 1 | 1.6% |
| May | 2 | 3.2% |
| June | 7 | 11.3% |
| Julypeak | 12 | 19.4% |
| Augustpeak | 10 | 16.1% |
| Septemberpeak | 10 | 16.1% |
| October | 6 | 9.7% |
| November | 4 | 6.5% |
| December | 5 | 8.1% |
Humpback Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Humpback Whale | 62 |
In Oregon, December carries 8.1% of the year's humpback whales sightings, about 0.2 points below an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 6th busiest of the twelve months, out of 11 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from November (6.5%) into December, and it heads toward January (4.8%) after. The busiest month is July (19.4%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The humpback whales most often recorded in Oregon are Humpback Whale. Those counts are annual totals rather than a December split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in December itself.
Which humpback whales you are most likely to see
- Humpback Whale62 records
Plan your humpback 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 humpback whale viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Crater Lake National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best humpback whale viewing area in Oregon.
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Broader backupBook a humpback whale tour in Oregon
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Frequently asked questions
Can you see humpback whales in Oregon in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 5 of the 62 verified humpback whales sightings logged in Oregon across the year, which is 8.1% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see humpback whales in Oregon?+
December is the 6th busiest month. It is workable, though July and August is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for humpback whales in Oregon?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, August and September, based on 62 verified observations.
Which humpback whales are you most likely to see in Oregon?+
The most-recorded species in Oregon are Humpback Whale, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.