Best Time to See Whales in Virginia
January, July and August is the best time to see whales in Virginia. Based on 679 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when whales are most active across the year in Virginia.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin · Kathy Richardson CC BY
Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin · Kathy Richardson CC BY
Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin · Laura Mae CC BY
679 verified observations of whales in Virginia, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When whales are recorded in Virginia
Peak month
January
121 records (17.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 121 | 17.8% |
| February | 56 | 8.2% |
| March | 35 | 5.2% |
| April | 39 | 5.7% |
| May | 54 | 8% |
| June | 48 | 7.1% |
| Julypeak | 80 | 11.8% |
| Augustpeak | 73 | 10.8% |
| September | 58 | 8.5% |
| October | 51 | 7.5% |
| November | 33 | 4.9% |
| December | 31 | 4.6% |
Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin | 418 |
| Humpback Whale | 66 |
| Short-finned Pilot Whale | 15 |
| Common Dolphin | 12 |
| Common Bottlenose Dolphin | 9 |
| Fin Whale | 8 |
| Atlantic Spotted Dolphin | 5 |
| Risso's Dolphin | 5 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Virginia
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 30 to 92 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 47°F | 30°F | 3.2" |
| Feb | 52°F | 33°F | 4" |
| Mar | 60°F | 39°F | 3" |
| Apr | 70°F | 46°F | 3.9" |
| May | 77°F | 56°F | 3.5" |
| Jun | 86°F | 64°F | 3.1" |
| Julbest time | 92°F | 70°F | 3.2" |
| Augbest time | 88°F | 68°F | 3.8" |
| Sep | 82°F | 62°F | 2.9" |
| Oct | 71°F | 52°F | 3.6" |
| Nov | 59°F | 39°F | 3.1" |
| Dec | 52°F | 34°F | 4" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Virginia. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of whales in Virginia peak in January, when 121 of the year's 679 verified observations are logged — about 17.8% of the annual total. Activity stays high through January, July and August.
The quietest stretch is December, November and March, when whales are hardest to find — December sees just 31 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 Virginia are Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin, Humpback Whale and Short-finned Pilot 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 Virginia
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Appomattox Court House National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Assateague Island National Seashore — National Seashore
- Blue Ridge Parkway — Parkway
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake Bay
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see whales in Virginia?+
January is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through January, July and August, based on 679 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are whales hardest to see in Virginia?+
December is the quietest month for whales in Virginia, with only 31 verified records.
Are whales active year-round in Virginia?+
Whales are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Virginia, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in January.
More places to see whales
More wildlife in Virginia