Types of Whale Watching in Bar Harbor
When is the best time of year for whale watching in Bar Harbor?
The best time of year for whale watching in Bar Harbor is June through August, when the most whales feed in the Gulf of Maine and every boat runs. The season itself is shorter than the summer: the Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. sails its whale watch from late May to early October, and the boats are laid up from mid-October until the next May.
How the Bar Harbor whale season unfolds, from the operator's schedule and the Gulf of Maine species lists:
| When | What is offshore | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Late May | First humpbacks and minkes back on the feeding grounds | Season opens, cooler air, few crowds |
| June | Humpback, finback and minke whales feeding | Strong sightings, easier to book |
| July–August | Peak feeding, the widest mix of species | Busiest months, book 1-2 weeks ahead |
| September | Whales still feeding offshore | Fewer people, colder ride |
| Early October | Last trips of the year | Short window, then closed until May |
No time of day reliably beats another. Wildlife activity varies from trip to trip with the season and the weather, so pick the date first and the departure second. If you are prone to seasickness, choose a calm-forecast day rather than a specific hour.
Source: Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co., Eden Village guide to Bar Harbor whale watching, Visit Maine.
When is whale watching season in Maine?
Whale watching season in Maine runs from mid to late May into October, when the whales leave for warmer water. Whales feed as close as 20 miles off the Maine coast on sand eels, copepods, plankton and fish, and humpback, minke, pilot and finback whales are the usual sightings, with sei and right whales as occasional visitors.
- Downeast and Acadia: Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. from Bar Harbor, and Eastport Windjammers from Eastport on the Bay of Fundy
- MidCoast: Cap'n Fish's Cruises, which also visits the puffins of Eastern Egg Rock
- Southern coast, Kennebunk to Portland: First Chance Whale Watch and Odyssey Whale Watch
Bar Harbor has the longest offshore run of these, 30-50 miles, and pairs the trip with Acadia National Park. That makes it the longest whale watch on the coast, so budget a half day.
Source: Visit Maine: Whale Watching, Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co..
How much does whale watching cost in Bar Harbor?
A Bar Harbor whale watch costs $84 for an adult, $72 for a junior aged 6-14 and $35 for a child aged 5 or under, on the Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. price list. Maine residents pay $67.50 with photo ID. Every child, including infants, needs a ticket because the boats are certified for a fixed number of people.
Ticket prices for the whale watch and the company's shorter cruises, from the operator's own pages:
| Cruise | Length | Adult from | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whale Watch | 3–5.5 hrs | $84 | Humpback, finback and minke whales |
| Puffin & Lighthouse Cruise | 2.5–3 hrs | $73 | Puffins, three island lighthouses |
| Sunset Nature Cruise | 2 hrs | $53 | Frenchman Bay at sunset |
| Acadia By Sea Nature Cruise | 2 hrs | $48 | Acadia shoreline, seals, eagles |
| Lobster Fishing and Seal Watching | 1.75 hrs | $46 | Families with young children |
Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund. A no-show is charged in full. Galley snacks and binocular rentals are cash only.
Source: Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co.: Whale Watch, Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. FAQ.
Can you go whale watching in Acadia National Park?
You can see whales on a trip that passes Acadia National Park, but the park runs no whale watch of its own. The boats leave from Bar Harbor town on Mount Desert Island, the park's gateway, and every Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. cruise runs along Acadia's coastline before heading into Frenchman Bay and the open Gulf of Maine.
- Whales: the 3 to 5.5 hour Whale Watch is the only trip that reaches the offshore feeding grounds
- Acadia from the water: the 2 hour Acadia By Sea Nature Cruise stays close to the park's islands and shoreline
- Whales from shore: sightings from the park's cliffs are rare because the whales feed far offshore
Source: Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co.: Whale Watch, Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. FAQ.
Who runs whale watching in Bar Harbor?
Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co., at 1 West Street beside the town pier, runs the only scheduled whale watch from Bar Harbor. Its fleet of catamarans runs 90 to 130 feet and carries 140 to 370 passengers, with restrooms, several decks, a cash-only galley and wheelchair access. A naturalist guide narrates every trip, and an Allied Whale research intern from the College of the Atlantic logs the whales seen.
- Phone: 207-288-2386, ticket office opens in May
- Booking window: at least 1-2 weeks ahead in July and August
- Members of Whale SENSE, the NOAA-backed responsible whale watching program, since 2012
- Weather: trips run rain or shine but cancel for dense fog, high seas or storms, decided up to 30 minutes before departure
Source: Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co.: Whale Watch, Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. FAQ.
Are there dolphins in Bar Harbor?
Yes. Atlantic white-sided dolphins are seen on Bar Harbor whale watches, often in groups, along with harbor porpoises. The same trips also turn up harbor and gray seals, basking sharks, ocean sunfish and offshore seabirds.
Source: Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co., Eden Village guide.
Whale Species & Best Months in Bar Harbor
| Species | January–March | April–June | July–September | October–December | Likelihood |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humpback Whale | — | Arriving | Peak | Departing | ~95% Jun–Oct |
| Fin Whale | — | Arriving | Common | Departing | ~70% |
| Minke Whale | — | Present | Common | Present | ~60% |
| North Atlantic Right Whale | — | Rare | Rare | — | ~5% |
| Atlantic White-sided Dolphin | — | Present | Common | Present | ~50% |
What to Expect on the Day
Board at 1 West Street
Boats leave the Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. dock at 1 West Street, beside the town pier, with Cadillac Mountain behind the town. Arrive up to an hour early and no later than 15 minutes before departure. Seating indoors and out is first come, first served.
Out through Frenchman Bay
The catamaran runs east through Frenchman Bay past the Porcupine Islands and the Acadia shoreline before reaching open water. Harbor seals, porpoises and bald eagles are common on this stretch.
Crossing to the feeding grounds
The whales feed 30-50 miles offshore, which is why trips last 3 to more than 5 hours depending on where the whales are that day. This is the coldest and bumpiest part of the trip. The guide covers the natural and cultural history of the Gulf of Maine on the way out.
Humpback whale encounters
Humpbacks are the main event. They breach, slap their tails and sometimes approach the boat. The guide and the Allied Whale intern identify individuals by the black-and-white patterns under their flukes, and many have been catalogued for years.
Fin and minke whales
Fin whales, up to 85 feet long and the second-largest animals on Earth, surface in a rhythm of several blows and a dive. Their jaw is white on the right side and dark on the left. Minke whales, the smallest baleen whale in the region at around 35 feet, show briefly and often near the boat.
Return past the Porcupine Islands
The run back through Frenchman Bay gives late-day views of the Acadia skyline. Harbor porpoises and gray seals are often seen on the return.
Watch: Humpback Whales in Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor Whale Watch Adventure
What to Bring and What to Leave at Home
✓ Bring
- Warm, waterproof layers: the open ocean runs up to 20 degrees colder than town
- Fleece mid-layer, even in July and August
- Beanie or warm hat
- Binoculars (rentals on board cost $10, cash)
- Polarized sunglasses and sunscreen
- Photo ID for every passenger over 18
- Motion sickness medication, taken 1-2 hours before departure
✗ Leave at home
- Light summer clothing only: the ride is windy and fog or rain is common
- Pets (only service dogs are allowed aboard)
- Alcohol, glass containers, hard coolers and drones
Where Tours Depart From
| Port / Area | Details |
|---|---|
| Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. dock, 1 West Street | 1 West St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, beside the town pier at the foot of Main Street. The company has no parking of its own: use the paid kiosk lots along West Street and on the town pier (ParkMobile app), which suit the long whale watch better than timed street spaces. The free Island Explorer shuttle stops at the Village Green, a short walk away. |
How to Choose an Ethical Tour
What ethical operators do
- Stay at least 100 yards from humpback, fin and minke whales (NOAA rules)
- Keep 500 yards from North Atlantic right whales, as federal law requires
- Report any right whale sighting to NOAA Fisheries straight away
- Choose operators in the Whale SENSE program: Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. has taken part since 2012
- Pick trips that carry researchers, such as the Allied Whale interns who log every sighting
Red flags to avoid
- Approaching North Atlantic right whales at any distance under 500 yards
- Operators outside the NOAA guidelines
- Flying drones near whales (they are banned on Bar Harbor boats)