Maine’s coast is a haven for wildlife. With an abundance of food and shelter, the coast provides the perfect home for hundreds of species to live and thrive. With so many great parks, tours, refuges, and preserves to consider, we’ve narrowed it down to 3 of the best places to see wildlife on the Maine coast.
Bar Harbor Whale Watching Cruises
The Bar Harbor Whale Watching Co. will take you on the whale watching cruise of a lifetime. As you venture offshore in search of baleen whales, your guide will share the great cultural and natural history of the Gulf of Maine. If you’re lucky, you may even spot some seals, sharks, dolphins, porpoises, or seabirds along the way.
Once you’ve reached the gulf, be on the lookout for minke, finback, and magnificent humpback whales. The sight of these extraordinary marine animals gliding through the water, spouting at the surface, or breaching is genuinely unforgettable.
Puffins on Machias Seal Island
Puffins are considered one of Maine’s most beloved birds. Both tourists and birders alike flock to the great state just to see them. While many of their nesting islands are closed to visitors to protect their habitat, Machias Seal Island is one exception.
If you’re eager to see these penguin-like seabirds in their natural habitat, this island is home to one of the largest colonies along the Maine coast. Take a guided tour to the island so you can see the Atlantic puffin in action along with a variety of other seabird species that call the coast home.
Acadia National Park
With nearly 50,000 acres and hundreds of species of animals, Acadia National Park is among the best places in the state of Maine to see wildlife in its natural environment. Whether you choose to drive through the scenic motor roads or enjoy a beautiful hike through the hundreds of miles of trails, you’re sure to spot some of Maine’s incredible wildlife on the way.
Mammals, Rodents, and Marine Life
While mammal species aren’t always easy to find, patience and a keen eye could reward you with a rare sighting of a fox, otter, hare, or mink. On the other hand, white-tailed deer are plentiful along the carriage roads at dawn and dusk so keep your eyes peeled for their signature white tails.
The North American Beaver is also a species you’re likely to spot, or at the very least, you’ll get to see some of their handy around Acadia’s Witch Hole or Jordan Ponds. While traveling along the coastal side of the park, you may even see some seal pups along the shore, waiting for their mothers to return with food.
Conclusion
The Maine coast is a great place to see wildlife. With its many parks, preserves, and refuges, there’s something for everyone who wants to explore the beauty of the great state while observing its diverse animal and seabird population.
If you’d like to volunteer and play a vital role in preserving the habitats of Maine’s coastal wildlife, the Friends of Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge would love your support.
Click here to volunteer.
