Humpback Whales in Virginia in February
Yes, February is one of the best months to see humpback whales in Virginia. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 26 of the 66 sightings logged across the year (39.4%), 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 humpback whales in Virginia
39.4%
of yearly sightings
26
records in February
#2
busiest month of 12
66
verified records a year
January 39.4%, February 39.4%, March 1.5%. Busiest month is January at 39.4%.
66 verified observations of humpback whales in Virginia, recorded across 9 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When humpback whales are recorded in Virginia
Peak month
January
26 records (39.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 26 | 39.4% |
| Februarypeak | 26 | 39.4% |
| March | 1 | 1.5% |
| Aprilpeak | 4 | 6.1% |
| May | 2 | 3% |
| June | 0 | 0% |
| July | 0 | 0% |
| August | 1 | 1.5% |
| September | 1 | 1.5% |
| October | 1 | 1.5% |
| November | 0 | 0% |
| December | 4 | 6.1% |
Humpback Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Humpback Whale | 66 |
In Virginia, February carries 39.4% of the year's humpback whales sightings, about 31.1 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 9 months with recorded activity.
Activity holds steady between January and February, and it heads toward March (1.5%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so February is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The humpback whales most often recorded in Virginia are Humpback Whale. Those counts are annual totals rather than a February split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in February itself.
Which humpback whales you are most likely to see
- Humpback Whale66 records
Plan your humpback whale trip in Virginia
Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main humpback whale viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best humpback whale viewing area in Virginia.
Viator
Broader backupBook a humpback whale tour in Virginia
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 humpback whales in Virginia in February?+
Yes. February accounts for 26 of the 66 verified humpback whales sightings logged in Virginia across the year, which is 39.4% of the annual total.
Is February a good time to see humpback whales in Virginia?+
February is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of January, February and April.
What month is best for humpback whales in Virginia?+
January is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through January, February and April, based on 66 verified observations.
Which humpback whales are you most likely to see in Virginia?+
The most-recorded species in Virginia are Humpback Whale, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See humpback whales in Virginia in other months
More wildlife in Virginia