Best Time to See Whales in Maine
July, August and June is the best time to see whales in Maine. Based on 513 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when whales 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.
Beluga · Lucy Keith-Diagne CC BY
Humpback Whale · Karen Szafrajda CC BY
Humpback Whale · Public domain CC0
513 verified observations of whales in Maine, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When whales are recorded in Maine
Peak month
July
163 records (31.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 0.4% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 2 | 0.4% |
| April | 3 | 0.6% |
| May | 28 | 5.5% |
| Junepeak | 77 | 15% |
| Julypeak | 163 | 31.8% |
| Augustpeak | 138 | 26.9% |
| September | 59 | 11.5% |
| October | 27 | 5.3% |
| November | 4 | 0.8% |
| December | 10 | 1.9% |
Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Harbour Porpoise | 269 |
| Humpback Whale | 100 |
| Common Minke Whale | 59 |
| Fin Whale | 37 |
| Atlantic White-sided Dolphin | 26 |
| North Atlantic Right Whale | 3 |
| Common Dolphin | 2 |
| Beaked Whales | 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 whales are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for whales 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.
Sightings of whales in Maine peak in July, when 163 of the year's 513 verified observations are logged — about 31.8% of the annual total. Activity stays high through July, August and June.
The quietest stretch is February, when whales 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 whales you are most likely to encounter in Maine are Harbour Porpoise, Humpback Whale and Common Minke Whale — 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 whales 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 whales in Maine?+
July is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through July, August and June, based on 513 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are whales hardest to see in Maine?+
February is the quietest month for whales in Maine, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are whales active year-round in Maine?+
Whales are recorded in 11 of 12 months in Maine, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in July.
More places to see whales
More wildlife in Maine