Humpback Whales in Washington in October
Yes, October is a good month to see humpback whales in Washington. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 59 of the 526 sightings logged across the year (11.2%), 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.
Good month for humpback whales in Washington
11.2%
of yearly sightings
59
records in October
#4
busiest month of 12
526
verified records a year
September 8.6%, October 11.2%, November 4%. 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, October carries 11.2% of the year's humpback whales sightings, about 2.9 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 is rising from September (8.6%) into October, and it heads toward November (4%) 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 October split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in October 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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Frequently asked questions
Can you see humpback whales in Washington in October?+
Yes. October accounts for 59 of the 526 verified humpback whales sightings logged in Washington across the year, which is 11.2% of the annual total.
Is October a good time to see humpback whales in Washington?+
October is the 4th 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