Sharks in Maine in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see sharks in Maine. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 11 of the 81 sightings logged across the year (13.6%), 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 July 2, 2026.
Peak month for sharks in Maine
13.6%
of yearly sightings
11
records in May
#3
busiest month of 12
81
verified records a year
April 4.9%, May 13.6%, June 21%. Busiest month is June at 21%.
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 |
In Maine, May carries 13.6% of the year's sharks sightings, about 5.3 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (4.9%) into May, and it heads toward June (21%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The sharks most often recorded in Maine are Little Skate, Basking Shark and Porbeagle. 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 sharks you are most likely to see
- Little Skate22 records
- Basking Shark12 records
- Porbeagle4 records
- Blue Shark4 records
- Spiny Dogfish3 records
- Sand Tiger Shark2 records
Plan your shark 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 shark viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Acadia National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best shark viewing area in Maine.
Viator
Broader backupBook a shark 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 sharks in Maine in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 11 of the 81 verified sharks sightings logged in Maine across the year, which is 13.6% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see sharks in Maine?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, August and May.
What month is best for sharks in Maine?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, August and May, based on 81 verified observations.
Which sharks are you most likely to see in Maine?+
The most-recorded species in Maine are Little Skate, Basking Shark and Porbeagle, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See sharks in Maine in other months
More wildlife in Maine