Whales in Maine in May
Yes, May is a good month to see whales in Maine. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 467 of the 4,784 sightings logged across the year (9.8%), 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 whales in Maine
9.8%
of yearly sightings
467
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
4,784
verified records a year
April 5.5%, May 9.8%, June 19.5%. Busiest month is June at 19.5%.
4,784 verified observations of whales in Maine, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When whales are recorded in Maine
Peak month
June
935 records (19.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 145 | 3% |
| February | 139 | 2.9% |
| March | 206 | 4.3% |
| April | 262 | 5.5% |
| May | 467 | 9.8% |
| Junepeak | 935 | 19.5% |
| Julypeak | 813 | 17% |
| Augustpeak | 755 | 15.8% |
| September | 433 | 9.1% |
| October | 258 | 5.4% |
| November | 203 | 4.2% |
| December | 168 | 3.5% |
Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| White-tailed Deer | 2,897 |
| Moose | 1,332 |
| Harbour Porpoise | 258 |
| Humpback Whale | 79 |
| Common Minke Whale | 57 |
| Fin Whale | 37 |
| Atlantic White-sided Dolphin | 26 |
| North Atlantic Right Whale | 3 |
In Maine, May carries 9.8% of the year's whales sightings, about 1.5 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (5.5%) into May, and it heads toward June (19.5%) after. The busiest month is June (19.5%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The whales most often recorded in Maine are White-tailed Deer, Moose and Harbour Porpoise. 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 whales you are most likely to see
- White-tailed Deer2,897 records
- Moose1,332 records
- Harbour Porpoise258 records
- Humpback Whale79 records
- Common Minke Whale57 records
- Fin Whale37 records
Plan your whale 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 whale viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Acadia National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best whale viewing area in Maine.
Viator
Broader backupBook a whale 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 whales in Maine in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 467 of the 4,784 verified whales sightings logged in Maine across the year, which is 9.8% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see whales 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 whales in Maine?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and August, based on 4,784 verified observations.
Which whales are you most likely to see in Maine?+
The most-recorded species in Maine are White-tailed Deer, Moose and Harbour Porpoise, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See whales in Maine in other months
More wildlife in Maine