Best Time to See Sharks in Maine
June, August and May is the best time to see sharks in Maine. Based on 81 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when sharks 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 2, 2026.
81 verified observations of sharks in Maine, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When sharks are recorded in Maine
Peak month
June
17 records (21% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 3 | 3.7% |
| February | 1 | 1.2% |
| March | 3 | 3.7% |
| April | 4 | 4.9% |
| Maypeak | 11 | 13.6% |
| Junepeak | 17 | 21% |
| July | 8 | 9.9% |
| Augustpeak | 17 | 21% |
| September | 6 | 7.4% |
| October | 7 | 8.6% |
| November | 1 | 1.2% |
| December | 3 | 3.7% |
Sharks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Little Skate | 22 |
| Basking Shark | 12 |
| Porbeagle | 4 |
| Blue Shark | 4 |
| Spiny Dogfish | 3 |
| Sand Tiger Shark | 2 |
| Western Atlantic Torpedo | 2 |
| Dusky Smooth-hound | 1 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Maine
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when sharks are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for sharks sit around 43 to 77 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" |
| Maybest time | 64°F | 43°F | 3.2" |
| Junbest time | 74°F | 54°F | 3.7" |
| Jul | 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.
Sightings of sharks in Maine peak in June, when 17 of the year's 81 verified observations are logged — about 21% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, August and May.
The quietest stretch is February and November, when sharks are hardest to find — February sees just 1 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The sharks you are most likely to encounter in Maine are Little Skate, Basking Shark and Porbeagle — 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 sharks 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 sharks in Maine?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, August and May, based on 81 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are sharks hardest to see in Maine?+
February is the quietest month for sharks in Maine, with only 1 verified records.
Are sharks active year-round in Maine?+
Sharks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Maine, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in June.
More places to see sharks
More wildlife in Maine