Where To See Puffins | Seabird Watching - Maine Coast

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Because most seabirds only come to land to nest, the nesting season from May through July is the best time to see seabirds on Maine’s coast. Visitors are not permitted on most islands, but one exception is Machias Seal Island, off Cutler.

Seabird Nesting Webcams

Check out Maine nesting birds right from your home from webcams on Seal Island. See puffins and guillemots in their burrows throughout the nesting season. Check out the puffin loafing ledge and the exterior view of the puffin burrow for other seabird activity.

Maine Tour Boats

There are many reputable tour boat operators on the Maine Coast, both large and small, that visit seabird nesting islands. Some have naturalists on board, some try to find whales and seals, some make it a point to pass by lighthouses. All are dependent on the variable weather of the Maine Coast! We encourage you to visit their websites and speak with the captains to find the right boat tour for you.

Tour Boat Operators

Down East Area

(e.g., Petit Manan NWR and Machias Seal Island)

• Acadian Boat Tours, Bar Harbor 207-801-2300 acadianboattours.com
• Acadia Puffin Cruise, Winter Harbor 207-598-7900 acadiapuffincruise.com
• Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co., Bar Harbor 888-942-5374 barharborwhales.com
• Bold Coast Charter Co., Cutler 207-259-4484 boldcoast.com
• Robertson Sea Tours & Adventures, Milbridge 207-483-6110 robertsonseatours.com

Midcoast Area

(e.g., Matinicus Rock NWR, Franklin Island NWR, Seal Island NWR, Eastern Egg Rock)

• Breakwater Kayak, Rockland 207-596-6895 breakwaterkayak.com
• Cap’n Fish’s Whale Watch Cruises, Boothbay 800-636-3244 mainewhales.com
• Hardy Boat Cruises, New Harbor 800-278-3346 hardyboat.com
• Maine Kayak, New Harbor 866-624-6352 mainekayak.com
• Maine Windjammer Association, Rockland 800-807-9463 sailmainecoast.com
• Matinicus Excursions, Rockland 207-691-9030 matinicusexcursions.com

• Midcoast Kayak, Damariscotta midcoastkayak.com
• Monhegan Boat Line, Port Clyde 207-372-8848 monheganboat.com
• Morning in Maine, Rockland 207-691-7245 amorninginmaine.com
• Sail Muscongus, Bremen 207-380-5460 sailmuscongus.com
• Tidal Transit Kayak, Boothbay 207-633-7140 kayakboothbay.com
• The Mail Boat, Stonington 207-367-5193 isleauhaut.com

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