Best Time to See Puffins in Maine
June, July and August is the best time to see puffins in Maine. Based on 1,510 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when puffins 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 June 28, 2026.
Atlantic Puffin · Public domain CC0
Atlantic Puffin · Fyn Kynd CC BY-SA
Northern Puffin · Public domain CC0
1,510 verified observations of puffins in Maine, recorded across 9 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When puffins are recorded in Maine
Peak month
June
558 records (37% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 0.1% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 0 | 0% |
| April | 6 | 0.4% |
| May | 161 | 10.7% |
| Junepeak | 558 | 37% |
| Julypeak | 536 | 35.5% |
| Augustpeak | 237 | 15.7% |
| September | 5 | 0.3% |
| October | 2 | 0.1% |
| November | 0 | 0% |
| December | 3 | 0.2% |
Puffins you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Atlantic Puffin | 1,496 |
| Tufted Puffin | 12 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Maine
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when puffins are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for puffins 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 puffins in Maine:
Sightings of puffins in Maine peak in June, when 558 of the year's 1,510 verified observations are logged — about 37% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, July and August.
The quietest stretch is February, March and November, when puffins are hardest to find — no verified records exist for February. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The puffins you are most likely to encounter in Maine are Atlantic Puffin and Tufted Puffin — 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 puffins 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
Go see them · Maine
Puffin and Scenic Cruise from Boothbay Harbor
Witness the charming puffins of Eastern Egg Rock on this 2.5-hour scenic cruise from Boothbay Harbor. Led by expert naturalists, the tour offers...
Staying over? Compare places to stay near Acadia National Park
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see puffins in Maine?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, July and August, based on 1,510 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are puffins hardest to see in Maine?+
February is the quietest month for puffins in Maine, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are puffins active year-round in Maine?+
Puffins are recorded in 9 of 12 months in Maine, concentrated around June and July.
More places to see puffins
More wildlife in Maine