Whale Watching in MidCoast Maine

Coming into contact with a whale, one of nature’s most magnificent creatures, is an awesome experience. Whales figure into our mythic American imagination, particularly in New England. From Captain Ahab’s elusive white whale in Herman Melville’s Moby Dick to In The Heart of The Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex by Nathaniel Philbrick, these powerful marine mammals compel us to the ocean’s edge and beyond.

Humpback Whales In Their Natural Habitat

In recent weeks many lucky boaters, photographers, and visitors to our little corner of Maine, the MidCoast, have caught sight of humpback whales breaching, the acrobatic arising of a whale from the water with a midair twist and graceful arc back down into the depths. Why do whales perform this leaping or surfacing? The truth is, scientists aren’t entirely sure. There are a few reasons to explain this activity. Perhaps breaching is social, or sexual, or even just for recreation!

A strong hypothesis among marine biologists is that whales breach for hygiene reasons. The eruption from the water, the clearing in the air, the enormous splash can remove unwanted creatures, such as crabs and barnacles. So, perhaps breaching is like a whale brushing its teeth, knocking off the hitchhiking parasites. Another theory is that it is a method of long distance communication.

Whales have been observed to breach in groups. Which leads some researchers to believe these are demonstrations of dominance or a male attention tactic for the female whales’ gaze. Whichever the reason, another whale, whether male or female, is certain to be impressed by such a midair feat. The splash upon reentry makes an impact, the sound and vibrations of which can travel far. What a feat of strength and energy. The adult humpback averages 50 feet in length. It is incredible to behold an animal of the size hurl itself up from one element into another. Their massive tails and flippers only increase their magnificence.

Yet another thought is that this behavior is purely playful, for pleasure or for fun. What a lovely thought that is! Dolphins and other cetaceans are animals that demonstrate such spectacular behavior in nature, in the wild, just for themselves. When you spot a whale in the water what will you do? Will you watch with awe and a sense of childlike wonder? Will you begin to research using reputable sources written by trained scientists? Will you grab your phone or camera to capture the moment? It’s hard to know! We encourage you to spend more time in Maine, and make a connection with the environment.

Seeing Whales in Wild Maine Waters

In the recent weeks this summer, spotting whales has become a pastime for locals and tourists in MidCoast Maine. From the village of Port Clyde, which is only 20 minutes from The Craignair Inn by the Sea on the same St. George Peninsula, to Jonesport, located in the region known as Down East Maine, people have reported sightings of the humpback whale. If you are out on the water in a boat, you are cautioned to avoid clusters of bubbles, because that is where a large whale may surface. Boaters have spotted and photographed many scenes of whales in the last weeks of July.

Neighbor Chuck Brawn, whose drone videography business Icarus Aerial Solutions is always capturing dazzling overhead shots of the inn, the island, foliage, sunsets, land and oceanscapes, shared a short, 13 second clip of a whale he saw not far from the shores of Clark Island. Our logo has incorporated a whale since long before Lauren and Greg Soutiea took ownership of the inn seven years ago. We feel that a whale sighting at The Craignair, whether from the deck or window of your guest room or from the rocks that surround the ocean at the foot of our lawn, is a lucky sign. Check out the video here.

The humpback whale is a wide ranging species of baleen whales, filter feeders that sieve plankton from the water. One theory about why we have seen more humpbacks here in recent weeks is that there is abundance of baitfish, the sort of small oily fish lobstermen use to catch pogies, also known as Atlantic menhaden, or herring which in turn catch Maine’s most famous export, the lobster. Without the smallest of fish we wouldn’t have large, amazing mammals like whales or the most delicious of all Maine’s produce from the ocean. Whales, particularly humpbacks, use bubble-cloud feeding to corral schools of pogies. This often leads them to lunge-feed rapidly at the surface, which may explain the recent phenomenon of surfacing whales off the coast of Maine.

Visiting and Vacationing in Coastal Maine

The summer of 2026 has been filled with delightful surprises. It is magical to encounter a whale in the wild. It is also imperative to protect all animals from human harm. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association provides excellent information about conservation and welfare of animals like whales. All whales are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, making it illegal to harass, chase, or cut off their paths. For the sake and safety of these beautiful animals take precaution if you are very near them in the water. The Maine Stranding Hotline is: 1-800-532-9551; if you see a whale or another sea creature in distress, use that number to contact the proper authorities.

Visit The Craignair Inn during the summer in order to experience nature up close. Discover a slower summer. Remember your childlike wonder at engaging with the natural world. Our inn is at the edge of the ocean. Across from The Craignair Inn is Clark Island, where guests are invited to explore the woods, meadows, and beaches. Take a kayak out and explore. You may happen upon a whale, and you will very likely see seals playfully bobbing up and down in the waves. Let your vacation take you somewhere relaxing, where life is fresh and green. Visit Maine. Discover The Craignair. Find more shooting stars, northern lights, birds, fish, and marvelous mammals.