Dolphins in Washington in April

Yes, April is a good month to see dolphins in Washington. It is the 6th busiest month of the year, with 162 of the 1,727 sightings logged across the year (9.4%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.

Orca photographed in WashingtonResident Killer Whale photographed in WashingtonResident Killer Whale photographed in Washington
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Good month for dolphins in Washington

9.4%

of yearly sightings

162

records in April

#6

busiest month of 12

1,727

verified records a year

March 5.3%, April 9.4%, May 10.4%. Busiest month is July at 16%.

Best months: July, August, JunePeak season right now

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)

Quietest month

February

34 records

MonthObservationsShare
January432.5%
February342%
March925.3%
April1629.4%
May17910.4%
Junepeak24814.4%
Julypeak27716%
Augustpeak26215.2%
September17210%
October1206.9%
November844.9%
December543.1%

Dolphins you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Orca1,698
Pacific White-sided Dolphin15
Common Dolphin5
Striped Dolphin2
Northern Right Whale Dolphin2
Pilot Whales and allies1

In Washington, April carries 9.4% of the year's dolphins sightings, about 1.1 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 6th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is rising from March (5.3%) into April, and it heads toward May (10.4%) after. The busiest month is July (16%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.

The dolphins most often recorded in Washington are Orca, Pacific White-sided Dolphin and Common Dolphin. Those counts are annual totals rather than a April split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in April itself.

Which dolphins you are most likely to see

  • Orca1,698 records
  • Pacific White-sided Dolphin15 records
  • Common Dolphin5 records
  • Striped Dolphin2 records
  • Northern Right Whale Dolphin2 records
  • Pilot Whales and allies1 records
Plan your tripEbey's Landing National Historical Reserve

Plan your dolphin trip in Washington

Start with live tours near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.

Frequently asked questions

Can you see dolphins in Washington in April?+

Yes. April accounts for 162 of the 1,727 verified dolphins sightings logged in Washington across the year, which is 9.4% of the annual total.

Is April a good time to see dolphins in Washington?+

April is the 6th busiest month. It is workable, though July and August is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.

What month is best for dolphins in Washington?+

July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, August and June, based on 1,727 verified observations.

Which dolphins are you most likely to see in Washington?+

The most-recorded species in Washington are Orca, Pacific White-sided Dolphin and Common Dolphin, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.