Gray Whales in Washington in April
Yes, April is one of the best months to see gray whales in Washington. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 86 of the 431 sightings logged across the year (20%), 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 July 10, 2026.
Peak month for gray whales in Washington
20%
of yearly sightings
86
records in April
#2
busiest month of 12
431
verified records a year
March 13.2%, April 20%, May 21.3%. Busiest month is May at 21.3%.
431 verified observations of gray whales in Washington, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When gray whales are recorded in Washington
Peak month
May
92 records (21.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 20 | 4.6% |
| February | 13 | 3% |
| Marchpeak | 57 | 13.2% |
| Aprilpeak | 86 | 20% |
| Maypeak | 92 | 21.3% |
| June | 45 | 10.4% |
| July | 45 | 10.4% |
| August | 37 | 8.6% |
| September | 11 | 2.6% |
| October | 8 | 1.9% |
| November | 8 | 1.9% |
| December | 9 | 2.1% |
Gray Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Grey Whale | 431 |
In Washington, April carries 20% of the year's gray whales sightings, about 11.7 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 is rising from March (13.2%) into April, and it heads toward May (21.3%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so April is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The gray whales most often recorded in Washington are Grey Whale. 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 gray whales you are most likely to see
- Grey Whale431 records
Plan your gray whale 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 gray whale viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best gray whale viewing area in Washington.
Viator
Broader backupBook a gray whale 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 gray whales in Washington in April?+
Yes. April accounts for 86 of the 431 verified gray whales sightings logged in Washington across the year, which is 20% of the annual total.
Is April a good time to see gray whales in Washington?+
April is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, April and March.
What month is best for gray whales in Washington?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, April and March, based on 431 verified observations.
Which gray whales are you most likely to see in Washington?+
The most-recorded species in Washington are Grey Whale, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See gray whales in Washington in other months
More wildlife in Washington