What is the best time of year to see whales at Bar Harbor Maine?

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.



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Whales are generally most active in the morning and late afternoon, making these the best times to spot them. During the morning, whales tend to be more active as they start their day and may feed. As the day progresses and the sun sets, whales become more active as they prepare to rest for the night.

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Typically, visitors spend 3 days to a week or more in Bar Harbor – enabling them to get a good taste of what the area has to offer – scenic Acadia National Park, hiking trails, biking paths, whale watching, puffin excursions, kayaking trips, golf outings, rock climbing classes, bird watching adventures, lighthouse ...

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16 incredible whale watching trips in the USA
  • Bar Harbor, Maine. ...
  • Depoe Bay, Oregon. ...
  • Eastsound, Orcas Island, Washington. ...
  • Virginia Beach, Virginia. ...
  • Cape May, New Jersey. ...
  • Provincetown, Cape Cod, Massachusetts. ...
  • Oak Harbor, Deception Pass State Park, Washington. ...
  • Kailua-Kona, Big Island, Hawaii. Kona Snorkel Tours.


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While most outfits guarantee a 90 percent chance of a spotting a whale, you might consider booking an extra trip if it's at the top of your bucket list. Some companies offer a complimentary outing if your trip ends sans sighting—check out the policy before booking.

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One of Bar Harbor's most popular wildlife and sightseeing cruises! Join us for an adventure out into Frenchman Bay and the Gulf of Maine to see the most sought-after iconic symbols of Maine: Puffins and Lighthouses!

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Cape Cod is a premier location in the U.S. to whale watch. Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary is a protected area that stretches from Cape Ann to Cape Cod. Even the local cruises guarantee a 99% whale-spotting success rate.

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Enjoy a ride out into the open ocean while on the lookout for porpoise, dolphins, seals, sharks, ocean sunfish, and offshore seabirds.

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YES! There are few experiences in life comparable to the extraordinary feeling of seeing gregarious dolphins as they approach from every angle, excited to see our passengers aboard the safety of each of our vessels within our sea-worthy fleet. When asked if whale watching is worth it, our answer is an assured YES!

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A Gratuity is not required on most whale watching tours, but the crew works very hard, and they are the ones who make the experience possible, so it is recommended that you tip between $3-$5 per person.

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Downtown Bar Harbor encompasses a relatively small, easily walkable area. Main Street, the primary thoroughfare and center of gravity, has remained largely unchanged for decades and is the best spot to start exploring.

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Bar Harbor Has A Rich History During the Gilded Age, Bar Harbor quickly became the exclusive summer resort of the rich and famous, who were initially drawn to the area by the Hudson River Artists' paintings. By the late-19th Century, the town rivaled Newport, Rhode Island in both wealth and prestige.

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Time: Approximately 2.5 – 3 hours. Usually a whale watching tour takes anywhere between 2.5 to 3 hours in order to navigate the ocean in search of different whale species.

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