Puffins in Maine in May
Yes, May is a good month to see puffins in Maine. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 161 of the 1,510 sightings logged across the year (10.7%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Good month for puffins in Maine
10.7%
of yearly sightings
161
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
1,510
verified records a year
April 0.4%, May 10.7%, June 37%. Busiest month is June at 37%.
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 |
In Maine, May carries 10.7% of the year's puffins sightings, about 2.4 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 9 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (0.4%) into May, and it heads toward June (37%) after. The busiest month is June (37%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The puffins most often recorded in Maine are Atlantic Puffin and Tufted Puffin. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which puffins you are most likely to see
- Atlantic Puffin1,496 records
- Tufted Puffin12 records
Plan your puffin trip in Maine
Start with live tours near Acadia National Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Acadia National Park
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main puffin viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Acadia National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best puffin viewing area in Maine.
Viator
Broader backupBook a puffin tour in Maine
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see puffins in Maine in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 161 of the 1,510 verified puffins sightings logged in Maine across the year, which is 10.7% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see puffins in Maine?+
May is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though June and July is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for puffins in Maine?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and August, based on 1,510 verified observations.
Which puffins are you most likely to see in Maine?+
The most-recorded species in Maine are Atlantic Puffin and Tufted Puffin, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See puffins in Maine in other months
More wildlife in Maine