Whales in Virginia in July
Yes, July is one of the best months to see whales in Virginia. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 2,193 of the 21,535 sightings logged across the year (10.2%), 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 June 28, 2026.
Peak month for whales in Virginia
10.2%
of yearly sightings
2,193
records in July
#2
busiest month of 12
21,535
verified records a year
June 12.1%, July 10.2%, August 9.1%. Busiest month is June at 12.1%.
21,535 verified observations of whales in Virginia, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When whales are recorded in Virginia
Peak month
June
2,596 records (12.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1,326 | 6.2% |
| February | 1,320 | 6.1% |
| March | 1,491 | 6.9% |
| April | 2,080 | 9.7% |
| Maypeak | 2,081 | 9.7% |
| Junepeak | 2,596 | 12.1% |
| Julypeak | 2,193 | 10.2% |
| August | 1,970 | 9.1% |
| September | 1,830 | 8.5% |
| October | 1,776 | 8.2% |
| November | 1,541 | 7.2% |
| December | 1,331 | 6.2% |
Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| White-tailed Deer | 20,369 |
| Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin | 415 |
| Sika Deer | 271 |
| Elk | 79 |
| Humpback Whale | 66 |
| Wild Boar | 21 |
| Short-finned Pilot Whale | 15 |
| Common Dolphin | 12 |
In Virginia, July carries 10.2% of the year's whales sightings, about 1.9 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from June (12.1%) into July, and it heads toward August (9.1%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so July is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The whales most often recorded in Virginia are White-tailed Deer, Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin and Sika Deer. Those counts are annual totals rather than a July split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in July itself.
Which whales you are most likely to see
- White-tailed Deer20,369 records
- Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin415 records
- Sika Deer271 records
- Elk79 records
- Humpback Whale66 records
- Wild Boar21 records
Plan your 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 whale viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best whale viewing area in Virginia.
Viator
Broader backupBook a 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 whales in Virginia in July?+
Yes. July accounts for 2,193 of the 21,535 verified whales sightings logged in Virginia across the year, which is 10.2% of the annual total.
Is July a good time to see whales in Virginia?+
July is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, July and May.
What month is best for whales in Virginia?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and May, based on 21,535 verified observations.
Which whales are you most likely to see in Virginia?+
The most-recorded species in Virginia are White-tailed Deer, Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin and Sika Deer, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See whales in Virginia in other months
More wildlife in Virginia