Whale Watching in Maine: Where to Go, When, and Is It Worth It

Whale watching in Maine means a boat trip out into the Gulf of Maine, where whales come to feed in the cold, rich water. Tours run from several harbors, from Bar Harbor and Boothbay Harbor to Kennebunkport and Eastport, and the season lasts from spring to early fall. Here is where to go, when to go, and whether it is worth the money.

Quick answer: Summer is the main season, and the boats run roughly from spring to October. Bar Harbor has the most tour options, Boothbay Harbor and Kennebunkport are good for a shorter trip from the southern coast, and Eastport is the choice if you are already Down East. Sightings are never guaranteed.

Where to Go Whale Watching in Maine

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is the busiest whale watching port in the state, and it pairs naturally with a day in Acadia National Park. Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. runs offshore trips that last roughly three to five and a half hours, depending on the tour. See our Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. listing and our Bar Harbor guide.

Boothbay Harbor

From Boothbay Harbor, whale watching cruises head out to feeding grounds where you can also see dolphins, seals, sharks and seabirds. See our Boothbay Harbor Whale Watch listing.

Kennebunkport

For a shorter outing on the southern coast, First Chance Whale Watch runs whale watching and scenic boat tours around Kennebunk and Kennebunkport, with trips of about an hour and a half.

Eastport

Eastport, at the far eastern edge of Maine, has its own whale watch. See our Eastport Whale Watch listing.

When to Go

Whales return to Maine’s coastal waters in spring to feed on small fish and plankton, and tours generally run from spring through October. Summer is the most reliable and the most popular time, so book ahead for July and August. Check each operator for exact season dates, since they vary by harbor and by year. See Maine in summer for planning the rest of your trip.

Is Whale Watching in Maine Worth It?

For most visitors, yes, with realistic expectations. These are wild animals in open water, so no operator can guarantee a sighting. Even on a quiet day, you are on a boat in the Gulf of Maine with a good chance of seeing seals, seabirds and porpoises. If you want a guaranteed wildlife experience, a puffin trip to Machias Seal Island is a different kind of outing. See puffin watching at Machias Seal Island.

What to Know Before You Book

• Dress in layers. It is much colder and windier on the water than on shore, even in summer.
• If you are prone to seasickness, take a remedy before you board. Offshore trips can be rough.
• Ask what the operator does if no whales are seen.
• Check trip length. Tours range from about an hour and a half to more than five hours.
• Bring sunglasses, a hat and a camera with a zoom lens.

Rates, schedules and season dates change, so confirm everything with the operator before you book. For more wildlife, see our guide to wildlife watching in Maine.

How Much Does Whale Watching in Maine Cost?

Prices depend on the port and the length of the trip. Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. publishes its rates: $84 for adults (15 and up), $72 for juniors (6 to 14) and $35 for children 5 and under, with a $67.50 rate for Maine-resident adults who show a photo ID. Its trips run 3 to 5.5 hours. The other operators did not post rates in the sources we checked, so confirm with them directly.

No operator can guarantee a sighting. If no whales are seen, Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. turns your ticket into a voucher for another whale watch or a harbor cruise within three years, but it does not give refunds. Most other outfitters offer a similar voucher.

Whale Watching Season by Operator

• Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co.: late May to early October. It lists humpback, fin and minke whales as commonly seen, along with porpoises, dolphins, seals and seabirds.
• Cap’n Fish’s, Boothbay Harbor: May through October. Its captains have reported sightings on 94 and 97 percent of trips, according to a New England Today profile. Those are the operator’s own figures.
• First Chance Whale Watch, Kennebunkport: humpbacks and minkes are seen most often, and blue and right whales occasionally, according to New England Today.

New England Today puts the prime whale watching season at mid-April through October. Operators run most reliably in summer, so check each one’s schedule for the dates you want.

More Places to Whale Watch in Maine

• Portland: Odyssey Whale Watch departs from Casco Bay with an onboard naturalist, and also offers deep-sea fishing and private charters.
• Lubec: Tarquin Whale Watch departs from the Inn on the Wharf on a 26-passenger vessel. The captain’s tour includes seals, eagles and lighthouses.

Morning or Afternoon? Which Town Is Best?

Travelers often ask whether a morning or afternoon departure is better. Whales feed throughout the day, so no departure time guarantees a sighting. Morning trips often start with calmer water, and afternoon trips can mean more wind on some days, so if you are prone to seasickness we would lean toward the earlier boat. Operators set their own schedules, and some run only one trip a day, so check times before you plan around them.

There is also no single best part of Maine for whale watching. Four towns on this page run tours: Bar Harbor, Boothbay Harbor, Kennebunkport and Eastport. The practical answer is the one nearest where you are already staying. Build a trip around Acadia and Bar Harbor is the natural starting point, and the other three work well for midcoast, south coast and Down East stays.

Whale Watching in Maine FAQ

What is the best time for whale watching in Maine?

Summer is the main season, and tours generally run from spring to October. Book ahead for July and August.

Where is the best place to go whale watching in Maine?

Bar Harbor has the most tours and combines well with Acadia. Boothbay Harbor and Kennebunkport are better if you are on the southern or midcoast side.

Will I definitely see a whale?

No. Sightings are never guaranteed, so ask each operator what happens if none are seen.

How long is a whale watching tour in Maine?

It depends on the operator. Shorter tours run about an hour and a half, and offshore trips from Bar Harbor can last from three to five and a half hours.