Best Time to See Humpback Whales in Washington
June, August and July is the best time to see humpback whales in Washington. Based on 526 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when humpback whales are most active across the year in Washington.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 10, 2026.
Humpback Whale · Public domain CC0
Humpback Whale · Peter Abrahamsen CC BY
Humpback Whale · Public domain CC0
526 verified observations of humpback whales in Washington, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When humpback whales are recorded in Washington
Peak month
June
159 records (30.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4 | 0.8% |
| February | 3 | 0.6% |
| March | 3 | 0.6% |
| April | 8 | 1.5% |
| May | 50 | 9.5% |
| Junepeak | 159 | 30.2% |
| Julypeak | 82 | 15.6% |
| Augustpeak | 85 | 16.2% |
| September | 45 | 8.6% |
| October | 59 | 11.2% |
| November | 21 | 4% |
| December | 7 | 1.3% |
Humpback Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Humpback Whale | 526 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Washington
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when humpback whales are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for humpback whales sit around 51 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 35°F | 24°F | 4.5" |
| Feb | 36°F | 22°F | 2.8" |
| Mar | 46°F | 28°F | 1.2" |
| Apr | 56°F | 33°F | 1.3" |
| May | 67°F | 44°F | 1.2" |
| Junbest time | 76°F | 51°F | 0.9" |
| Julbest time | 86°F | 57°F | 0.2" |
| Augbest time | 86°F | 58°F | 0.3" |
| Sep | 74°F | 50°F | 1.1" |
| Oct | 59°F | 39°F | 1.7" |
| Nov | 42°F | 29°F | 3.6" |
| Dec | 33°F | 23°F | 3.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Washington. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on humpback whales in Washington:
Sightings of humpback whales in Washington peak in June, when 159 of the year's 526 verified observations are logged — about 30.2% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, August and July.
The quietest stretch is February, March and January, when humpback whales are hardest to find — February sees just 3 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The humpback whales you are most likely to encounter in Washington are Humpback Whale — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see humpback whales in Washington
- Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve — National Historical Reserve
- Fort Vancouver National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Lewis and Clark National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Mount Rainier National Park — National Park
- Nez Perce National Historical Park — National Historical Park
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see humpback whales in Washington?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, August and July, based on 526 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are humpback whales hardest to see in Washington?+
February is the quietest month for humpback whales in Washington, with only 3 verified records.
Are humpback whales active year-round in Washington?+
Humpback whales are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Washington, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in June.
More places to see humpback whales
More wildlife in Washington