Best Time to See Dolphins in Washington
July, August and June is the best time to see dolphins in Washington. Based on 1,727 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when dolphins are most active across the year in Washington.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
1,727 verified observations of dolphins in Washington, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dolphins are recorded in Washington
Peak month
July
277 records (16% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 43 | 2.5% |
| February | 34 | 2% |
| March | 92 | 5.3% |
| April | 162 | 9.4% |
| May | 179 | 10.4% |
| Junepeak | 248 | 14.4% |
| Julypeak | 277 | 16% |
| Augustpeak | 262 | 15.2% |
| September | 172 | 10% |
| October | 120 | 6.9% |
| November | 84 | 4.9% |
| December | 54 | 3.1% |
Dolphins you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Orca | 1,698 |
| Pacific White-sided Dolphin | 15 |
| Common Dolphin | 5 |
| Striped Dolphin | 2 |
| Northern Right Whale Dolphin | 2 |
| Pilot Whales and allies | 1 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Washington
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when dolphins are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for dolphins sit around 51 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 35°F | 24°F | 4.5" |
| Feb | 36°F | 22°F | 2.8" |
| Mar | 46°F | 28°F | 1.2" |
| Apr | 56°F | 33°F | 1.3" |
| May | 67°F | 44°F | 1.2" |
| Junbest time | 76°F | 51°F | 0.9" |
| Julbest time | 86°F | 57°F | 0.2" |
| Augbest time | 86°F | 58°F | 0.3" |
| Sep | 74°F | 50°F | 1.1" |
| Oct | 59°F | 39°F | 1.7" |
| Nov | 42°F | 29°F | 3.6" |
| Dec | 33°F | 23°F | 3.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Washington. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on dolphins in Washington:
Sightings of dolphins in Washington peak in July, when 277 of the year's 1,727 verified observations are logged — about 16% of the annual total. Activity stays high through July, August and June.
The quietest stretch is February and January, when dolphins are hardest to find — February sees just 34 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The dolphins you are most likely to encounter in Washington are Orca, Pacific White-sided Dolphin and Common Dolphin — 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 dolphins in Washington
- Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve — National Historical Reserve
- Fort Vancouver National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Lewis and Clark National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Mount Rainier National Park — National Park
- Nez Perce National Historical Park — National Historical Park
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see dolphins in Washington?+
July is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through July, August and June, based on 1,727 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are dolphins hardest to see in Washington?+
February is the quietest month for dolphins in Washington, with only 34 verified records.
Are dolphins active year-round in Washington?+
Dolphins are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Washington, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in July.
More places to see dolphins
More wildlife in Washington