Best Time to See Whales in Oregon
July, August and September is the best time to see whales in Oregon. Based on 777 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when whales are most active across the year in Oregon.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
777 verified observations of whales in Oregon, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When whales are recorded in Oregon
Peak month
July
157 records (20.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 31 | 4% |
| February | 38 | 4.9% |
| March | 34 | 4.4% |
| April | 45 | 5.8% |
| May | 61 | 7.9% |
| June | 86 | 11.1% |
| Julypeak | 157 | 20.2% |
| Augustpeak | 135 | 17.4% |
| Septemberpeak | 95 | 12.2% |
| October | 47 | 6% |
| November | 28 | 3.6% |
| December | 20 | 2.6% |
Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Grey Whale | 473 |
| Humpback Whale | 62 |
| Harbour Porpoise | 60 |
| Orca | 43 |
| Sperm Whale | 27 |
| Fin Whale | 25 |
| Pacific White-sided Dolphin | 8 |
| Striped Dolphin | 6 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Oregon
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 47 to 83 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 39°F | 26°F | 2" |
| Feb | 38°F | 22°F | 2.4" |
| Mar | 43°F | 25°F | 1.9" |
| Apr | 52°F | 32°F | 2.2" |
| May | 61°F | 40°F | 2" |
| Jun | 71°F | 48°F | 1.1" |
| Julbest time | 83°F | 56°F | 0.1" |
| Augbest time | 81°F | 56°F | 0.4" |
| Sepbest time | 71°F | 47°F | 1.2" |
| Oct | 58°F | 37°F | 1.2" |
| Nov | 45°F | 28°F | 2.3" |
| Dec | 37°F | 25°F | 2.4" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Oregon. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of whales in Oregon peak in July, when 157 of the year's 777 verified observations are logged — about 20.2% of the annual total. Activity stays high through July, August and September.
The quietest stretch is December and November, when whales are hardest to find — December sees just 20 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 Oregon are Grey Whale, Humpback Whale and Harbour Porpoise — 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 Oregon
- Crater Lake National Park — National Park
- Fort Vancouver National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Lewis and Clark National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Nez Perce National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve — National Monument & Preserve
Go see them · Oregon
Whale Watching Depoe Bay Cannon Beach And Tillamook
Discover the Oregon Coast at its very best. This is the only day tour from Portland that goes all the way to the Whale Watching Capital of Oregon...
Staying over? Compare places to stay near Crater Lake National Park
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see whales in Oregon?+
July is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through July, August and September, based on 777 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are whales hardest to see in Oregon?+
December is the quietest month for whales in Oregon, with only 20 verified records.
Are whales active year-round in Oregon?+
Whales are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Oregon, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in July.
More places to see whales
More wildlife in Oregon