Orcas in Washington in May
Yes, May is a good month to see orcas in Washington. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 174 of the 1,696 sightings logged across the year (10.3%), 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 June 28, 2026.
Good month for orcas in Washington
10.3%
of yearly sightings
174
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
1,696
verified records a year
April 9.6%, May 10.3%, June 14.1%. Busiest month is July at 16.2%.
1,696 verified observations of orcas in Washington, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When orcas are recorded in Washington
Peak month
July
274 records (16.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 42 | 2.5% |
| February | 34 | 2% |
| March | 92 | 5.4% |
| April | 162 | 9.6% |
| May | 174 | 10.3% |
| Junepeak | 239 | 14.1% |
| Julypeak | 274 | 16.2% |
| Augustpeak | 258 | 15.2% |
| September | 170 | 10% |
| October | 116 | 6.8% |
| November | 83 | 4.9% |
| December | 52 | 3.1% |
Orcas you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Orca | 1,696 |
In Washington, May carries 10.3% of the year's orcas sightings, about 2 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 holds steady between April and May, and it heads toward June (14.1%) after. The busiest month is July (16.2%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The orcas most often recorded in Washington are Orca. 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 orcas you are most likely to see
- Orca1,696 records
Plan your orca 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 orca viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best orca viewing area in Washington.
Viator
Broader backupBook a orca 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 orcas in Washington in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 174 of the 1,696 verified orcas sightings logged in Washington across the year, which is 10.3% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see orcas in Washington?+
May is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though July and August is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for orcas in Washington?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, August and June, based on 1,696 verified observations.
Which orcas are you most likely to see in Washington?+
The most-recorded species in Washington are Orca, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See orcas in Washington in other months
More wildlife in Washington