Whales in Virginia in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see whales in Virginia. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 2,081 of the 21,535 sightings logged across the year (9.7%), 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
9.7%
of yearly sightings
2,081
records in May
#3
busiest month of 12
21,535
verified records a year
April 9.7%, May 9.7%, June 12.1%. 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, May carries 9.7% of the year's whales sightings, about 1.4 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity holds steady between April and May, and it heads toward June (12.1%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May 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 May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May 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.
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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 May?+
Yes. May accounts for 2,081 of the 21,535 verified whales sightings logged in Virginia across the year, which is 9.7% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see whales in Virginia?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd 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