A trip to Maine is a nature lover’s dream. You can spend days sailing on the water, careening down the slopes on a snowboard or hiking through beloved Acadia National Park. The state also offers a wide variety of wildlife watching. And while many vacationers travel here to catch sight of moose and puffins, whale watching is a popular activity in Maine, too. A guided tour will put you in the hands of an experienced local who knows where to find the whales. After consulting traveler experience and expert input, U.S. News determined the following tours to be the best available.
Before you book, there are a few things to remember to help make your trip a successful one. Maine’s whale watching season lasts from mid-April through October. Multiple species visit the state’s waters, including humpback, finback, minke and pilot. For the best visibility, time your trip for a summer day when skies are clear, as Maine’s fog will hamper your ability to spot the animals.
You’ll also want to wear plenty of layers (it’s chilly out on the water) and consider bringing extra dry clothing in case you get wet. Wear sunscreen and a hat or sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun. And, of course, don’t forget to bring your camera and a pair of binoculars. Several companies may also allow you to bring snacks aboard the boat, but it’s best to call your guide and double-check before your tour.
Cap’n Fish’s Cruises – Boothbay Harbor Whale Watching Cruise
Price: Adults from $79; kids from $20
Duration: 3.5 hours
During this tour, you’ll embark on a search for whales, seals, sharks and dolphins, among other marine life. You’ll also get a quick tour of the Boothbay Harbor and see some of Maine’s famous lighthouses. Travelers say they see plenty of whales on this trip. They also appreciate that, in addition to informative narration, the crew offers instructions on what to look for when searching for wildlife.
There is no set route for this tour, and the company notes it may last longer than the specified duration if the crew has to travel farther than expected in the search for whales. Departure times vary depending on the time of year, but you can expect to head out around 9:30 a.m. or between noon and 1:30 p.m. Dogs can come aboard for an additional fee. Cap’n Fish’s Cruises depart from Boothbay Harbor, about 60 miles northeast of Portland. The company also runs scenic cruises featuring Maine’s lighthouses, seals and lobster traps, and specialty cruises involving fireworks, cocktails and specific animals.
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Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. – Whale Watch Cruises
Price: Adults from $75; kids from $27
Duration: 3 to 5.5 hours
If you’re planning a trip to Bar Harbor, you’re in luck: this company’s whale watching trips depart from downtown. Tours transport passengers through Frenchman Bay and into the Gulf of Maine in search of whales and other marine life. Guides narrate the journey to help passengers learn about the wildlife and tourgoers find them knowledgeable and personable. Some travelers warn, however, that trips can get canceled due to poor weather and advise future visitors to be flexible.
Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. runs its tours from late May through early October to coincide with peak whale watching season. Boats go out twice daily from late June through Labor Day and once daily at all other times. Exact departure times vary based on the season. Prices increase slightly from late June through mid-August. This company also offers a few other nature cruises, as well as a puffin and lighthouse outing.
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Megan Clouse|Courtesy of Cap’n Fish’s Cruises
Cap’n Fish’s Cruises – Whale Watch & Puffin Combo Cruise
Price: Adults from $96; kids from $20
Duration: 4 hours
This tour offers plenty of time to spot whales, Atlantic puffins, sunfish, dolphins and more. After boarding the Harbor Princess, you’ll head to Eastern Egg Rock to see the famous puffins before heading out in search of whales. Another bonus? If you don’t see any whales or puffins on your trip, you’ll get a standby ticket for another cruise at no cost. Tour-takers offer positive reviews for the tour and report seeing numerous whales and puffins. They also appreciate that the cruise is dog-friendly.
Tours depart from Boothbay Harbor from late May through mid-August. Trips leave at 1 or 1:30 p.m. From May through June, trips leave three to six times weekly. In July and August, they run Monday to Saturday. Prices increase slightly from July through Labor Day. Cap’n Fish’s Cruises also offers private charters, a cocktail harbor cruise and a Windjammer cruise, among other options.
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First Chance Whale Watch – Nick’s Chance Whale Watching Cruise
Price: Adults from $59; kids from $39
Duration: 4.5 hours
If you’re taking a trip to Kennebunkport, consider a whale watching cruise with First Chance Whale Watch. Aboard the company’s whale watching boat – Nick’s Chance – you will venture through the summer feeding grounds of finbacks, minke whales, humpbacks, blue whales, right whales and more. If you do not see any whales during your voyage, First Chance will provide you with a pass to return another time. Travelers report the tour guides are informative and entertaining.
Tours run from late May to mid-October. They depart once daily, typically between 9 and 10 a.m. First Chance Whale Watch also hosts a scenic lobster cruise tour and a private evening cruise along the Maine coast.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Whale watching season in Maine typically begins in mid-April and ends by October. Whales arrive to the waters in the spring to feed, then migrate south to warmer waters come fall.
The best places to whale watch in Maine are Bar Harbor, Boothbay Harbor, Kennebunkport and Casco Bay in Portland. The tiny town of Milbridge near the Canadian border is also known to have great whale watching opportunities.
Whales can be spotted throughout the day, but they are often most active in the morning or late afternoon.