Humpback Whales in Washington in August
Yes, August is one of the best months to see humpback whales in Washington. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 85 of the 526 sightings logged across the year (16.2%), 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 July 10, 2026.
Peak month for humpback whales in Washington
16.2%
of yearly sightings
85
records in August
#2
busiest month of 12
526
verified records a year
July 15.6%, August 16.2%, September 8.6%. Busiest month is June at 30.2%.
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 |
In Washington, August carries 16.2% of the year's humpback whales sightings, about 7.9 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 (8.6%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so August is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The humpback whales most often recorded in Washington are Humpback Whale. 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 humpback whales you are most likely to see
- Humpback Whale526 records
Plan your humpback 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 humpback whale viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best humpback whale viewing area in Washington.
Viator
Broader backupBook a humpback 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 humpback whales in Washington in August?+
Yes. August accounts for 85 of the 526 verified humpback whales sightings logged in Washington across the year, which is 16.2% of the annual total.
Is August a good time to see humpback whales in Washington?+
August is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, August and July.
What month is best for humpback whales in Washington?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, August and July, based on 526 verified observations.
Which humpback whales are you most likely to see in Washington?+
The most-recorded species in Washington are Humpback Whale, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See humpback whales in Washington in other months
More wildlife in Washington