Photo: USFWS · Public Domain, cropped and resized
Maine Coastal Islands Refugewildlife
Wildlife refugeAt Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge, Puffins, terns, razorbills and other seabirds nest on the refuge's restoration islands from mid-May to early August, per the Fish and Wildlife Service (a season, not a peak). Its usual window for this year has passed.
Checked against 2 official sources · How we check →
About Maine Coastal Islands Refuge
- What it is
- A wildlife refuge in Maine
- What you'll see
- Puffins and nesting seabirds · May–Aug (a season)
- Before you go
- Closures: The seabird islands are closed to landing April 1 to August 31; see the birds from a tour boat.
Your guide to the area
- Maine Coastal Islands RefugeLocal timing: from mid-May to early AugustThis page
- Petit Manan Island5 mi
Where to watch
Petit Manan Island
Best spot
Seen from commercial tour boats; the island is closed to landing during the nesting season, April 1 to August 31
Seal Island
Best spot
Seen from tour boats; closed to the public all year because of unexploded ordnance from its days as a Navy bombing target
Around Maine Coastal Islands Refuge
Next season here: Puffins and nesting seabirds, from mid-May to early August.
The year at Maine Coastal Islands Refuge
- American woodcock courtship displaysspring
- Seabirds nesting, puffins includedmid-May to early August
- Sea ducks winter in the coastal waterswinter
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see wildlife at Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge?
Season: from mid-May to early August. Puffins, terns, razorbills and other seabirds nest on the refuge's restoration islands from mid-May to early August, per the Fish and Wildlife Service (a season, not a peak).
Is it the season at Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge right now?
Not now: its usual wildlife window for this year has passed. Next time: from mid-May to early August, local timing.
When do seabirds nest at Maine Coastal Islands Refuge?
From mid-May to early August, when terns, Atlantic puffins, razorbills, common murres, black guillemots and other seabirds nest on its restoration islands.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I land on the islands at Maine Coastal Islands Refuge to see puffins?
No: seabird islands are closed to the public April 1 to August 31, and Seal and Duck islands are closed all year. Commercial tour boats offer views of the nesting birds.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Is there another season to visit Maine Coastal Islands Refuge?
Yes: in spring, American woodcock perform their courtship displays in the mainland clearings, and in winter long-tailed ducks, scoters, goldeneyes and eiders gather in the coastal waters.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Why is Seal Island at Maine Coastal Islands Refuge off limits?
The Navy used it as a bombing target from the 1940s until the early 1960s, and unexploded ordnance means it's closed all year.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge?
The best spots are Petit Manan Island and Seal Island. Petit Manan Island: seen from commercial tour boats; the island is closed to landing during the nesting season, April 1 to August 31. Seal Island: seen from tour boats; closed to the public all year because of unexploded ordnance from its days as a Navy bombing target.
What is Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge has something to see in 9 months of the year. American woodcock courtship displays: Mar–May. Seabirds nesting, puffins included: May–Aug. Sea ducks winter in the coastal waters: Dec–Feb.