Dolphins in Washington in August
Yes, August is one of the best months to see dolphins in Washington. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 262 of the 1,727 sightings logged across the year (15.2%), 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 dolphins in Washington
15.2%
of yearly sightings
262
records in August
#2
busiest month of 12
1,727
verified records a year
July 16%, August 15.2%, September 10%. Busiest month is July at 16%.
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 |
In Washington, August carries 15.2% of the year's dolphins sightings, about 6.9 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 holds steady between July and August, and it heads toward September (10%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so August is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The dolphins most often recorded in Washington are Orca, Pacific White-sided Dolphin and Common Dolphin. Those counts are annual totals rather than a August split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in August 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 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.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main dolphin viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best dolphin viewing area in Washington.
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Broader backupBook a dolphin tour in Washington
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 dolphins in Washington in August?+
Yes. August accounts for 262 of the 1,727 verified dolphins sightings logged in Washington across the year, which is 15.2% of the annual total.
Is August a good time to see dolphins in Washington?+
August is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of July, August and June.
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.
See dolphins in Washington in other months
More places to see dolphins
More wildlife in Washington