Puffins in Maine: Where. When, and How to See Them

Puffins are beautiful creatures.  These black and white birds may look like penguins, but they are not penguins at all. They are found in the Northern Hemisphere, more specifically the Northern Atlantic or Northern Pacific oceans. There are two species —  the tufted puffin and the horned puffin. During their breeding season, their beaks turn a very bright orange. These birds can fly, although only very low and over the ocean. They can also swim, just like penguins. Usually, they can be found on islands close to the shore or cliffs by the coast. Maine is a state where you can find these plush birds. Let’s take a look at where, when, and how to see puffins in Maine.

Where Can You See Them?

Puffins are coastal birds. You can find them on islands that are very close to land or on coastal rocks and cliffs. Atlantic puffins are the main puffins found in Maine. There are various places around Maine where you can catch those funny-looking birds. Eastern Egg Rock is an island off the coast of the state and it is quite popular for watching those beautiful birds do their thing. Let’s take a look at the various places you can see puffins in Maine.

Eastern Egg Rock

Located near New Harbor, ME, Eastern Egg Rock is about 6 miles from the coast. This means that you can take a boat to spot puffins (and even seals and eagles, too). There are various boat tours that you can take from Boothbay Harbor to Eastern Egg Rock. 

Seal Island

About 22 miles from the coast, Seal Island is a 65-acre island where you can find puffins. Various boat tours will take you there to see them.

Machias Seal Island

If you want to step on land and visit a puffin colony, then this is your only bet. Machias Seal Island allows people to not only watch puffins but also walk around the colony to see them. You won’t be able to touch them, but they will be quite close. The island is around 10 miles from Cutler, ME.

Petit Manan Island

Petit Manan Island is around 16 acres and there are various birds besides puffins there. You can find laughing gulls and common terns, as well. The island is part of the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge, but there are boat tours that visit the island regularly. You can also find the Petit Manan Light, which is the second-tallest lighthouse in Maine.

Matinicus Rock

Located around 23 miles from Rockland, Matinicus Rock has a nesting colony that is quite remote. There are no boat tours that go to the island because it is part of the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge.

When Can You See Them?

The best time to see puffins is usually in the spring and summer months. The ideal time is between May and August, as puffins are coming back from the sea to nest on the island colonies. Puffins used to be an abundant bird found off the coast of Maine, but due to puffin hunting, their numbers decreased drastically. They are now making a comeback due to laws in places banning puffin hunting in the US. The only two places where puffin hunting is legal are in Iceland and the Faroe Islands.

Due to climate change, however, Maine saw a decrease in puffin nesting in 2021, but thankfully, they are coming back in increased numbers in the past few years. So the bottom line is you will continue to see puffins in action in the spring and summer.

How Can You See Them?

The best part about seeing puffins is that it is an accessible thing to do. You don’t have to track thousands of miles just to see these beautiful birds in their natural habitat. You don’t have to go to Antarctica, like penguins, to see these birds in action. Because they live on the coast or islands close to the coast, you can easily take a boat to the nearby Island to see them. Many companies offer these types of services. There are dozens of boat tours that can take you puffin watching. Just pick the boat tour you like best and the place you think is best. It’s as easy as pie!

Conclusion

And there you have it, puffins in Maine are a sight to behold. You can find them throughout the coastal areas of the state. Various companies offer puffin tours so things can be easier for you. Furthermore, you can see them mostly when they nest in the spring, which means you won’t have to bundle up because of Maine’s harsh winter weather. If you want to learn about these beautiful birds, there’s even a learning center, the Project Puffin Visitor Center, in Rockland, ME. At the end of the day, take pictures of those beautiful puffins and be thankful you get to see them.