Whales in Washington in September
Yes, September is a good month to see whales in Washington. It is the 6th busiest month of the year, with 2,296 of the 26,406 sightings logged across the year (8.7%), 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 whales in Washington
8.7%
of yearly sightings
2,296
records in September
#6
busiest month of 12
26,406
verified records a year
August 12.4%, September 8.7%, October 7.4%. Busiest month is July at 14.6%.
26,406 verified observations of whales in Washington, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When whales are recorded in Washington
Peak month
July
3,865 records (14.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 989 | 3.7% |
| February | 1,111 | 4.2% |
| March | 1,604 | 6.1% |
| April | 2,362 | 8.9% |
| May | 2,966 | 11.2% |
| Junepeak | 3,845 | 14.6% |
| Julypeak | 3,865 | 14.6% |
| Augustpeak | 3,272 | 12.4% |
| September | 2,296 | 8.7% |
| October | 1,966 | 7.4% |
| November | 1,304 | 4.9% |
| December | 826 | 3.1% |
Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 15,151 |
| Elk | 2,994 |
| Orca | 1,698 |
| Mountain Goat | 1,413 |
| White-tailed Deer | 1,223 |
| Moose | 795 |
| Bighorn Sheep | 525 |
| Humpback Whale | 519 |
In Washington, September carries 8.7% of the year's whales sightings, about 0.4 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 6th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from August (12.4%) into September, and it heads toward October (7.4%) after. The busiest month is July (14.6%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The whales most often recorded in Washington are Mule Deer, Elk and Orca. 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 whales you are most likely to see
- Mule Deer15,151 records
- Elk2,994 records
- Orca1,698 records
- Mountain Goat1,413 records
- White-tailed Deer1,223 records
- Moose795 records
Plan your 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.
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 whale viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best whale viewing area in Washington.
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Broader backupBook a whale 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 whales in Washington in September?+
Yes. September accounts for 2,296 of the 26,406 verified whales sightings logged in Washington across the year, which is 8.7% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see whales in Washington?+
September is the 6th busiest month. It is workable, though July and June is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for whales in Washington?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, June and August, based on 26,406 verified observations.
Which whales are you most likely to see in Washington?+
The most-recorded species in Washington are Mule Deer, Elk and Orca, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See whales in Washington in other months
More wildlife in Washington