Best Time to See Jellyfishes in Maine

June, July and August is the best time to see jellyfishes in Maine. Based on 1,301 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when jellyfishes are most active across the year in Maine.

T

By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.

Atlantic Lion's Mane Jelly photographed in Maine

Atlantic Lion's Mane Jelly · Public domain CC0

Lion's Mane Jellies photographed in Maine

Lion's Mane Jellies · Michael CC BY

Atlantic Lion's Mane Jelly photographed in Maine

Atlantic Lion's Mane Jelly · Eric Baratta CC BY

Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Best months: June, July, AugustPeak season right now

1,301 verified observations of jellyfishes in Maine, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When jellyfishes are recorded in Maine

Peak month

June

458 records (35.2% of the year)

Quietest month

November

No verified records

MonthObservationsShare
January50.4%
February30.2%
March110.8%
April120.9%
May917%
Junepeak45835.2%
Julypeak45434.9%
Augustpeak23718.2%
September272.1%
October20.2%
November00%
December10.1%

Jellyfishes you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Atlantic Lion's Mane Jelly207
Lion's Mane Jelly184
Common Moon Jelly120
Egg-yolk Jelly5
Dwarf Lion's Mane Jelly5
Atlantic Sea Nettle1
Greater Moon Jelly1
Mauve Stinger1

Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo

Typical weather in Maine

Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when jellyfishes are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for jellyfishes sit around 54 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.

MonthAvg highAvg lowRain
Jan28°F11°F4"
Feb28°F11°F3.1"
Mar39°F20°F2.7"
Apr51°F32°F4.8"
May64°F43°F3.2"
Junbest time74°F54°F3.7"
Julbest time80°F62°F4.9"
Augbest time77°F60°F4.7"
Sep69°F53°F4.4"
Oct58°F43°F5.3"
Nov43°F29°F3.8"
Dec34°F20°F5"

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.

Sightings of jellyfishes in Maine peak in June, when 458 of the year's 1,301 verified observations are logged — about 35.2% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, July and August.

The quietest stretch is November and December, when jellyfishes are hardest to find — no verified records exist for November. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.

The jellyfishes you are most likely to encounter in Maine are Atlantic Lion's Mane Jelly, Lion's Mane Jelly and Common Moon Jelly — 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 jellyfishes in Maine

  • Acadia National ParkNational Park
  • Appalachian National Scenic TrailNational Scenic Trail
  • Katahdin Woods and Waters National MonumentNational Monument
  • Saint Croix Island International Historic SiteInternational Historic Site
  • Frances Perkins National MonumentNational Monument
  • Maine Acadian Culture

Frequently asked questions

What is the best month to see jellyfishes in Maine?+

June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, July and August, based on 1,301 verified iNaturalist observations.

When are jellyfishes hardest to see in Maine?+

November is the quietest month for jellyfishes in Maine, with no verified records on iNaturalist.

Are jellyfishes active year-round in Maine?+

Jellyfishes are recorded in 11 of 12 months in Maine, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in June.