What Time of Year are Whales Most Active? (2024)

FAQs

What time of year are whales most active? ›

Humpback whales are more commonly seen during the summer months, from June to September, while blue whales can be spotted from May to November. Whale-watching tours in California typically run throughout the day, with morning and afternoon tours being the most popular.

Best Times to Spot a Humpback

While kohola can be spotted throughout the winter, the peak months are January and February. As for the time of day, the whales are active at all times from dawn to dusk. The wind, however, is generally gentler in the morning and calm waters can make it easier to see them.

Humpback whales are a favorite of whale watchers―they are often active, jumping out of the water and slapping the surface with their pectoral fins or tails. NOAA Fisheries is dedicated to the conservation of humpback whales.

Whale Behavior in Rain: Whales do not seem to be significantly affected by rain. They are already wet, are well-adapted to living in marine environments, and are accustomed to various weather conditions. Rain does not deter whales from their natural behaviors such as diving, breaching, or feeding.

Winter and spring are ideal for watching migrating grey whales while summer and fall are when the blue whales and humpbacks are here. Orca sightings take place mid-April through mid-May, and late August through October, but can occur at any time.

The gray whale southern migration starts in Alaska in the fall, reaching its peak in late December to January in Oregon, and January to February in California. The bulk of humpback whales commute down to Hawai'i for the winter, with peak viewing season in February.

Best Time of Day to See Whales In the Water

Late mornings and early afternoons are the best time to see whales as they are often most active at this time. Try to pick a viewing time between 11 am to 3 pm to give yourself the best chance to spot them.

By May, we start to see more orcas, then humpback whales come June. Alaska's peak whale season is considered to be May through September, and it's during this time that the boat tours operate.

Officially, whale season in Hawaii runs from December 15-May 15, although the first whale of the season is usually spotted sometime in early October.

Gray whales also have the reputation of being the friendliest whales in the world. They are curious about boats and will often approach them and check out the humans aboard. Near Mexico, a gray whale actually played with a boat of tourists by lifting the vessel onto its back and briefly swimming away with it.

Where are whales most commonly seen? ›

They can be found in temperate oceans and tropical waters around the equator, as well as in the freezing Arctic and Antarctic oceans. Some whale species can be found in seas, including the North Sea and the Mediterranean. Others migrate from one area to another to get to their feeding or mating grounds.

Summer Month Whale Activity (June to August)

In many regions, the summer months are a peak time for whale activity. During this time, several species of whales are often more active due to favorable conditions for feeding, breeding, and raising their young.

Mid-Morning: During the mid-morning period (between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM), the sun is higher, and visibility improves. Boat traffic may start to increase, but it is still manageable compared to peak hours. The marine life remains active, increasing the chances of spotting whales.

A blue whale, given its larger size, and we assume a whale urinates at least 4 times per day, produces 1200 litres of urine per day, and could have a bladder capacity of 300 litres or 80 gallons.

Sunshine Makes it Easier to See

If the sun is bright and shining, this is an excellent opportunity to go whale watching. When you go out on the water during a clear day, you can see for miles. You can even spot that notched whale tail far in the distance if you have clear visibility.

Clear or drizzle-free days are optimal for a comfortable and rewarding whale watching experience. Heat: Hot weather conditions can provide a pleasant environment for whale watching. Clear skies, ample sunshine, and warm temperatures make for an enjoyable outing on the water.

The wind is a key player when it comes to smooth seas, and morning trips often have less wind. Less wind means calmer seas, making ocean conditions during the best time of day for whale watching, easy, breezy, and beautiful.