Can you see orcas in Seattle in December?

You're more likely to spot orcas here during the fall and winter months, but transient whales can be seen here year round. (Pro tip: Bring along a pair of binoculars.) Find more onshore whale watching spots in the region at the Orca Network's Whale Sighting Viewpoints Map.



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What is the best month to see the whales? – Peak season is considered the summer months of mid-June through early September. During this time, we see whales (orcas, humpbacks and/or minke) on over 90% of our tours. There are whales here year round, but much less predictably so outside the summer months.

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You can see orcas in Seattle, Washington and the surrounding areas year round. But summer between May and September are the best times to kayak with orcas. That's because their food source, salmon, is most active around this time.

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Q: What is the best time to visit Seattle for whale watching? The best time for whale watching in Seattle is in the Summer between May and October.

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Beyond its brush with Tom Hanks in the early '90s, Alki is one of the best places in Seattle to see orcas, especially in fall and winter, when the resident orcas swim back to this area. The best chance of spotting orcas here is to head to the western side of the beach and look north, towards Bainbridge Island.

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Neither is a really good base for whale watching--both are quite a distance from where the orcas tend to be found. victoria or the san juan islands make a better base for whale watching.

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It might come as a surprise that New Zealand ranks as one of the best places to see orcas in the wild. It has a year-round resident population of orcas, with about 150 to 200 orcas often seen traveling along New Zealand's coast. In Auckland, a pod of resident orcas can be seen from December to March.

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Experience the ONLY half-day Seattle whale watching tour that departs directly from downtown! Embark on a 3-5 hour (depending on sighting locations) adventure aboard the San Juan Clipper fast ferry as an expert naturalist helps you spot transient orcas, humpback whales and other sealife.

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Shore-based Whale Watching: Spend an afternoon at Lime Kiln Point State Park, a 36 acre day use park on the west side of San Juan Island considered one of the best places in the world to view orca whales from shore.

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