Sea Otters in Washington in September
Yes, September is a good month to see sea otters in Washington. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 33 of the 349 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 June 28, 2026.
Good month for sea otters in Washington
9.5%
of yearly sightings
33
records in September
#5
busiest month of 12
349
verified records a year
August 11.5%, September 9.5%, October 6%. Busiest month is July at 19.8%.
349 verified observations of sea otters in Washington, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When sea otters are recorded in Washington
Peak month
July
69 records (19.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 12 | 3.4% |
| February | 11 | 3.2% |
| March | 12 | 3.4% |
| April | 31 | 8.9% |
| May | 39 | 11.2% |
| Junepeak | 50 | 14.3% |
| Julypeak | 69 | 19.8% |
| Augustpeak | 40 | 11.5% |
| September | 33 | 9.5% |
| October | 21 | 6% |
| November | 19 | 5.4% |
| December | 12 | 3.4% |
Sea Otters you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Sea Otter | 349 |
In Washington, September carries 9.5% of the year's sea otters 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 easing off from August (11.5%) into September, and it heads toward October (6%) after. The busiest month is July (19.8%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The sea otters most often recorded in Washington are Sea Otter. Those counts are annual totals rather than a September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September itself.
Which sea otters you are most likely to see
- Sea Otter349 records
Plan your sea otter 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 sea otter viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best sea otter viewing area in Washington.
Viator
Broader backupBook a sea otter 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 sea otters in Washington in September?+
Yes. September accounts for 33 of the 349 verified sea otters sightings logged in Washington across the year, which is 9.5% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see sea otters in Washington?+
September is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though July and June is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for sea otters in Washington?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, June and August, based on 349 verified observations.
Which sea otters are you most likely to see in Washington?+
The most-recorded species in Washington are Sea Otter, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See sea otters in Washington in other months
More wildlife in Washington