Whales in Maine in September

Yes, September is a good month to see whales in Maine. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 433 of the 4,784 sightings logged across the year (9.1%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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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.

Beluga photographed in MaineAtlantic White-sided Dolphin photographed in MaineWhite-tailed Deer photographed in Maine
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Good month for whales in Maine

9.1%

of yearly sightings

433

records in September

#5

busiest month of 12

4,784

verified records a year

August 15.8%, September 9.1%, October 5.4%. Busiest month is June at 19.5%.

Best months: June, July, AugustPeak season right now

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)

Quietest month

February

139 records

MonthObservationsShare
January1453%
February1392.9%
March2064.3%
April2625.5%
May4679.8%
Junepeak93519.5%
Julypeak81317%
Augustpeak75515.8%
September4339.1%
October2585.4%
November2034.2%
December1683.5%

Whales you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
White-tailed Deer2,897
Moose1,332
Harbour Porpoise258
Humpback Whale79
Common Minke Whale57
Fin Whale37
Atlantic White-sided Dolphin26
North Atlantic Right Whale3

In Maine, September carries 9.1% of the year's whales sightings, about 0.8 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is easing off from August (15.8%) into September, and it heads toward October (5.4%) 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 September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September 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 tripAcadia National Park

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.

Frequently asked questions

Can you see whales in Maine in September?+

Yes. September accounts for 433 of the 4,784 verified whales sightings logged in Maine across the year, which is 9.1% of the annual total.

Is September a good time to see whales in Maine?+

September is the 5th 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.