Dolphins in Washington in July

Yes, July is one of the best months to see dolphins in Washington. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 277 of the 1,727 sightings logged across the year (16%), 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.

Peak month for dolphins in Washington

16%

of yearly sightings

277

records in July

#1

busiest month of 12

1,727

verified records a year

June 14.4%, July 16%, August 15.2%. 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, July carries 16% of the year's dolphins sightings, about 7.7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is rising from June (14.4%) into July, and it heads toward August (15.2%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so July 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 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 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 July?+

Yes. July accounts for 277 of the 1,727 verified dolphins sightings logged in Washington across the year, which is 16% of the annual total.

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

July is one of the best months. It ranks 1st 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.