Whale Watching in Maine 2025

The New England Coast, particularly Maine, has a well-deserved reputation for its abundance of marine life. Maine's waters serve as a summer playground for whales that come to feed on plankton and small fish. During whale-watching trips, you can see humpback, fin, and minke whales most frequently. Also, there have been sightings of pilot, orca, and sperm whales.

Best Places for Whale Watching

Giant ocean creatures can be found 20 mi (30 km) off the coast of Southern Maine, which is famous for its top-rated whale-watching cruises and tours. Bar Harbor is a premier whale-watching location in the state. The Gulf of Maine boasts a range of whale species, and also seals, porpoises, and puffins. Near Portland, you can spot whales in Casco Bay, approximately 20 mi (30 km) off the coast. These are mostly humpbacks and minkes. Kennebunkport runs many whale-watching cruises with plenty of humpbacks, minkes, and other species. Whale-watching is also possible in Millbridge, Lubec, Ogunquit, and York.

Whale Watching Tours

In the Gulf of Maine, the success rate of seeing whales during a sea cruise is 90-95%. The tours, accompanied by a professional guide, usually last for 3-5 hours, and the ticket prices vary around $60-85 for an adult, $45-65 for children between six and 14 years old at some cruises, and $20-30 for younger children. The tours are generally available from mid-spring until late October. Many whale-watching tour operators in Maine provide an opportunity to turn your reservation into a voucher that is valid for three years in case whales are not seen on your cruise.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor offers cruises on high-speed catamarans, which provide a very comfortable ride and various amenities: restrooms, a galley, and indoor and outdoor seating. The vessels pass Frenchman Bay, Acadia, islands, lighthouses, and the Downeast coast. Tours take place from late May until early October at 11 am. Tickets cost $85 for adults, $65 for children between the ages of 6 and 14, and $33 for children under six.

Casco Bay near Portland

Whale-watching tours in Casco Bay near Portland use two-decked fiberglass boats. The ships set off from Long Wharf, across from Commercial Street. The trips last up to four hours and offer numerous opportunities to witness sea turtles, ocean sunfish, sharks, and other wildlife. Main deck tickets to this tour cost $65 for adults and older children, $25 for children three and under, and $85 for access to an upper deck. The cruises are usually scheduled at 10 am and 2:30 pm.

Kennebunkport

Kennebunkport whale-watching tours run for 3.5-4 hours on 87-ft (26 m) 16-passenger boats with two decks. The docks are situated on Harbor Lane in Kennebunkport. The boat offers numerous opportunities for photos and is equipped with some fare and appetizers for the guests. Trip costs $59 for adults, $39 for children over 14, and infants under 4 years old. The cruises generally are set to depart at 10 am.

Other Wildlife to See on a Tour

In addition to whales, you will see porpoises, seals, and seabirds. Some tour operators offer a combination of whales with puffins, dolphins, and various marine life. Basking sharks, North Atlantic white-sided dolphins, and other species can be seen from the deck of tour boats.

Kayaking

In Maine, there are no locations where you can expect to see a whale from a kayak. Some kayakers encounter whales, but it usually happens by chance since whales can usually be seen no closer than 20 miles (30 km) from the shore.

Whale Watching Season

Whale-watching tours start in Maine in mid-April and last through October. Summer months, June, July, and August, are the best time to spot whales in Maine waters. During April and May, whales migrate north to their feeding grounds, while during the summer, whales spend their days feeding and breeding, making it more possible to see them. They can still be seen in September and early October, but the chances decrease due to their southward migration.

Humpback whales (spring, summer)

The North Atlantic population of humpback whales is constantly recovering, so in 2016, humpbacks of the Gulf of Maine were removed from the Endangered Species List. These whales are known for their amicable and playful behavior. They often swim along a boat, demonstrating amazing flips and dives. These whales communicate through melodious calls that can be called "songs." Humpbacks belong to the larger whale species and can reach 55 feet (16 m) in length. They are recognized due to a black and white pattern on their belly. Humpback whales are spotted from spring through summer in the Gulf of Maine and along the Georges Bank plateau.

Minke whales (spring, summer)

Minke whales are often seen during whale-watching excursions in Maine as they are very common in Jeffrey’s Ledge fishing area where they feed on herring, mackerel, and krill. Minke belongs to smaller whale species, reaching 30 feet (9 m) in length. They usually avoid people and can demonstrate really good speed, avoiding contact with a boat.

Fin whales (fall)

The second largest of all whale species, fin whales have dark grey bodies, light grey heads, white bellies, and curved dorsal fins. With an 85-feet (25 m) long fin, whales like deeper waters. But they can be spotted in a shallow Jeffrey’s Ledge area. The best time to look for these gentle giants is fall, as they prefer cooler water temperatures. Fin whales can live up to 90 years. With their large mouths, they consume huge amounts of water containing krill and small fish and then eject the water, swallowing the prey.

North Atlantic right whales (spring, summer, fall)

Right whales are quite rare as they are one of the world's most endangered sea mammals. The North Atlantic right whale population has around 350 individuals. They live up to 70 years and reach 52 feet (16 m) in length. They are easily recognizable by the absence of a dorsal fin, black body, and white patches on the head. These whales were spotted in Cape Cod Bay & Great South Channel in the spring and the Bay of Fundy and Roseway Basin later in the season. In the winter, they migrate to the coast of Georgia and Florida.

Pilot whales (spring, summer)

Pilot whales that belong to the dolphin family reach 22 feet (6.7 m) in length and can be easily identified by a round head and a light spot on their bellies that reminds of an anchor or a heart. They have strong social bonds and often travel in pods, diving as deep as 1,967 feet (600 m). They are also attracted by fish schools at Jeffrey's Ledge over the summer.

Whale Watching Tips

The Gulf of Maine is notoriously foggy. Even though boats have capacity to navigate in foggy conditions, spotting whales in one of the foggiest locations on the planet can be tricky. It's best to book your trip when the weather forecast is sunny and clear.

What to wear and bring

Even though summer temperatures in Maine are quite mellow, being on the water for several hours can be rather chilly. Temperatures on the deck tend to drop 10-15 degrees. Make sure to pack a waterproof and windproof jacket, waterproof shoes with closed toes, and some extra layers for warmth. If the weather is warm, consider bringing sunglasses or a sunhat to protect yourself from the sun. High heels are strongly discouraged. You can take water and some snacks with you on the trip. Some tour operators don't allow bringing beverages on the ship. However, most boats are equipped with a snack and beverage bar. Binoculars will undoubtedly increase your chances of seeing whales, as well as a camera with a powerful zoom lens. If you're traveling with children, you might benefit from some coloring books or games to occupy them during the lull moments of the trip.

Where to stay

New England is famous for its cozy small inns with their unique atmosphere and architecture. Your stay can be even better if a room has a harbor view. If you decide to spend some time in Bar Harbor, you can stay right next to the coastal Acadia National Park. Another great idea is to stay in a lighthouse. You can stay at The Little River Lighthouse, which overlooks the Bay of Fundy. The Little River Lighthouse is situated in Cutler, Maine, and offers overnight stays from June until late September. The room costs $400 for two people, with each additional room costing $300. Goose Rocks Lighthouse in North Haven is another great option for overnight stays, but it's currently closed for repairs after storm damage and is set to reopen in June 2025.