Humpback Whales in Washington in May
Yes, May is a good month to see humpback whales in Washington. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 50 of the 526 sightings logged across the year (9.5%), 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.
Good month for humpback whales in Washington
9.5%
of yearly sightings
50
records in May
#5
busiest month of 12
526
verified records a year
April 1.5%, May 9.5%, June 30.2%. 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, May carries 9.5% of the year's humpback whales sightings, about 1.2 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (1.5%) into May, and it heads toward June (30.2%) after. The busiest month is June (30.2%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The humpback whales most often recorded in Washington are Humpback Whale. 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 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.
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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.
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Stay nearbyStay near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
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Broader backupBook a humpback whale tour in Washington
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Frequently asked questions
Can you see humpback whales in Washington in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 50 of the 526 verified humpback whales sightings logged in Washington across the year, which is 9.5% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see humpback whales in Washington?+
May is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though June and August is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
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