Best Time to See Humpback Whales in Maine
July, August and June is the best time to see humpback whales in Maine. Based on 82 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when humpback whales are most active across the year in Maine.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 10, 2026.
Humpback Whale · Karen Szafrajda CC BY
Humpback Whale · Public domain CC0
Humpback Whale · Dan Vickers CC BY
82 verified observations of humpback whales in Maine, recorded across 7 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When humpback whales are recorded in Maine
Peak month
July
33 records (40.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 0 | 0% |
| April | 2 | 2.4% |
| May | 4 | 4.9% |
| Junepeak | 15 | 18.3% |
| Julypeak | 33 | 40.2% |
| Augustpeak | 20 | 24.4% |
| September | 3 | 3.7% |
| October | 5 | 6.1% |
| November | 0 | 0% |
| December | 0 | 0% |
Humpback Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Humpback Whale | 82 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Maine
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when humpback whales are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for humpback whales sit around 54 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 28°F | 11°F | 4" |
| Feb | 28°F | 11°F | 3.1" |
| Mar | 39°F | 20°F | 2.7" |
| Apr | 51°F | 32°F | 4.8" |
| May | 64°F | 43°F | 3.2" |
| Junbest time | 74°F | 54°F | 3.7" |
| Julbest time | 80°F | 62°F | 4.9" |
| Augbest time | 77°F | 60°F | 4.7" |
| Sep | 69°F | 53°F | 4.4" |
| Oct | 58°F | 43°F | 5.3" |
| Nov | 43°F | 29°F | 3.8" |
| Dec | 34°F | 20°F | 5" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Maine. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on humpback whales in Maine:
Sightings of humpback whales in Maine peak in July, when 33 of the year's 82 verified observations are logged — about 40.2% of the annual total. Activity stays high through July, August and June.
The quietest stretch is January, February and March, when humpback whales are hardest to find — no verified records exist for January. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The humpback whales you are most likely to encounter in Maine are Humpback Whale — 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 humpback whales in Maine
- Acadia National Park — National Park
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument — National Monument
- Saint Croix Island International Historic Site — International Historic Site
- Frances Perkins National Monument — National Monument
- Maine Acadian Culture
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see humpback whales in Maine?+
July is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through July, August and June, based on 82 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are humpback whales hardest to see in Maine?+
January is the quietest month for humpback whales in Maine, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are humpback whales active year-round in Maine?+
Humpback whales are recorded in 7 of 12 months in Maine, concentrated around July and August.
More places to see humpback whales
More wildlife in Maine