Best Time to See Whales in Washington
June, July and August is the best time to see whales in Washington. Based on 3,385 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when whales are most active across the year in Washington.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
3,385 verified observations of whales in Washington, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When whales are recorded in Washington
Peak month
June
539 records (15.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 96 | 2.8% |
| February | 85 | 2.5% |
| March | 180 | 5.3% |
| April | 314 | 9.3% |
| May | 401 | 11.8% |
| Junepeak | 539 | 15.9% |
| Julypeak | 514 | 15.2% |
| Augustpeak | 480 | 14.2% |
| September | 315 | 9.3% |
| October | 248 | 7.3% |
| November | 134 | 4% |
| December | 79 | 2.3% |
Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Orca | 1,717 |
| Humpback Whale | 527 |
| Harbour Porpoise | 516 |
| Grey Whale | 434 |
| Common Minke Whale | 56 |
| Dall's Porpoise | 25 |
| Pacific White-sided Dolphin | 15 |
| Fin Whale | 14 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Washington
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when whales are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for whales sit around 51 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 35°F | 24°F | 4.5" |
| Feb | 36°F | 22°F | 2.8" |
| Mar | 46°F | 28°F | 1.2" |
| Apr | 56°F | 33°F | 1.3" |
| May | 67°F | 44°F | 1.2" |
| Junbest time | 76°F | 51°F | 0.9" |
| Julbest time | 86°F | 57°F | 0.2" |
| Augbest time | 86°F | 58°F | 0.3" |
| Sep | 74°F | 50°F | 1.1" |
| Oct | 59°F | 39°F | 1.7" |
| Nov | 42°F | 29°F | 3.6" |
| Dec | 33°F | 23°F | 3.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Washington. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of whales in Washington peak in June, when 539 of the year's 3,385 verified observations are logged — about 15.9% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, July and August.
The quietest stretch is December, February and January, when whales are hardest to find — December sees just 79 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The whales you are most likely to encounter in Washington are Orca, Humpback Whale and Harbour Porpoise — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see whales in Washington
- Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve — National Historical Reserve
- Fort Vancouver National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Lewis and Clark National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Mount Rainier National Park — National Park
- Nez Perce National Historical Park — National Historical Park
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see whales in Washington?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, July and August, based on 3,385 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are whales hardest to see in Washington?+
December is the quietest month for whales in Washington, with only 79 verified records.
Are whales active year-round in Washington?+
Whales are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Washington, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in June.
More places to see whales
More wildlife in Washington