Best Time to See Seals in Maine

July, June and August is the best time to see seals in Maine. Based on 2,276 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when seals are most active across the year in Maine.

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

Harp Seal photographed in Maine

Harp Seal · Doug Suitor CC BY

Grey Seal photographed in Maine

Grey Seal · Hannah Jones CC BY

Atlantic Grey Seal photographed in Maine

Atlantic Grey Seal · jsparrell CC BY

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

2,276 verified observations of seals in Maine, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When seals are recorded in Maine

Peak month

July

507 records (22.3% of the year)

Quietest month

February

26 records

MonthObservationsShare
January271.2%
February261.1%
March301.3%
April462%
May24510.8%
Junepeak48021.1%
Julypeak50722.3%
Augustpeak45019.8%
September2149.4%
October1597%
November532.3%
December391.7%

Seals you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Harbor Seal1,553
Grey Seal607
Harp Seal9

Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo

Typical weather in Maine

Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when seals are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for seals 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.

More on seals in Maine:

Sightings of seals in Maine peak in July, when 507 of the year's 2,276 verified observations are logged — about 22.3% of the annual total. Activity stays high through July, June and August.

The quietest stretch is February, January and March, when seals are hardest to find — February sees just 26 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.

The seals you are most likely to encounter in Maine are Harbor Seal, Grey Seal and Harp Seal — 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 seals 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 seals in Maine?+

July is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through July, June and August, based on 2,276 verified iNaturalist observations.

When are seals hardest to see in Maine?+

February is the quietest month for seals in Maine, with only 26 verified records.

Are seals active year-round in Maine?+

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