Best Time to See Whales in Texas
March, April and December is the best time to see whales in Texas. Based on 1,639 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when whales are most active across the year in Texas.
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 · Sydney Dragon CC BY
Common Bottlenose Dolphin · Tim Lenz CC BY
Common Bottlenose Dolphin · Kimberlie Sasan CC BY-ND
1,639 verified observations of whales in Texas, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When whales are recorded in Texas
Peak month
March
185 records (11.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 120 | 7.3% |
| February | 149 | 9.1% |
| Marchpeak | 185 | 11.3% |
| Aprilpeak | 181 | 11% |
| May | 146 | 8.9% |
| June | 159 | 9.7% |
| July | 95 | 5.8% |
| August | 99 | 6% |
| September | 86 | 5.2% |
| October | 102 | 6.2% |
| November | 148 | 9% |
| Decemberpeak | 169 | 10.3% |
Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Bottlenose Dolphin | 1,586 |
| Atlantic Spotted Dolphin | 2 |
| Melon-headed Whale | 2 |
| Fin Whale | 2 |
| Sperm Whale | 2 |
| Pilot Whales | 1 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Texas
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 44 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 60°F | 39°F | 0.9" |
| Feb | 60°F | 38°F | 1" |
| Marbest time | 71°F | 49°F | 1.7" |
| Aprbest time | 78°F | 56°F | 1.6" |
| May | 85°F | 64°F | 5.1" |
| Jun | 93°F | 72°F | 1.7" |
| Jul | 96°F | 75°F | 0.9" |
| Aug | 96°F | 75°F | 1.2" |
| Sep | 89°F | 69°F | 1.7" |
| Oct | 80°F | 58°F | 2" |
| Nov | 67°F | 48°F | 1.1" |
| Decbest time | 64°F | 44°F | 1.2" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Texas. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of whales in Texas peak in March, when 185 of the year's 1,639 verified observations are logged — about 11.3% of the annual total. Activity stays high through March, April and December.
The quietest stretch is September, July and August, when whales are hardest to find — September sees just 86 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 Texas are Common Bottlenose Dolphin, Atlantic Spotted Dolphin and Melon-headed 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 Texas
- Amistad National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Big Bend National Park — National Park
- Big Thicket National Preserve — National Preserve
- Chamizal National Memorial — National Memorial
- Fort Davis National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park — National Park
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see whales in Texas?+
March is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through March, April and December, based on 1,639 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are whales hardest to see in Texas?+
September is the quietest month for whales in Texas, with only 86 verified records.
Are whales active year-round in Texas?+
Whales are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Texas, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in March.
More places to see whales
More wildlife in Texas