Dolphins in Washington in May
Yes, May is a good month to see dolphins in Washington. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 179 of the 1,727 sightings logged across the year (10.4%), 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.
Good month for dolphins in Washington
10.4%
of yearly sightings
179
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
1,727
verified records a year
April 9.4%, May 10.4%, June 14.4%. 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, May carries 10.4% of the year's dolphins sightings, about 2.1 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity holds steady between April and May, and it heads toward June (14.4%) 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 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 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 May?+
Yes. May accounts for 179 of the 1,727 verified dolphins sightings logged in Washington across the year, which is 10.4% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see dolphins in Washington?+
May is the 4th 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.
See dolphins in Washington in other months
More places to see dolphins
More wildlife in Washington