Tide pooling in Maine: best low tides
The best tide pool days are low tides that are among a spot's lowest of the year and fall in daylight. In Maine they come mostly in July to September. The next stretch of tide pool lows across the state is Nov 23. Dates, times and heights below come from NOAA predictions for 111 spots, worked out for the next 12 months.
Tide pools in every state · Maine king tides
Tide pool season in Maine
Average number of good tide pool days per spot, month by month:
Best tide pool days statewide
| Dates | Best day | Spots with a good low that day |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 23 | Mon Nov 23 | 79 of 111 spots |
| Dec 22–23 | Tue Dec 22 | 81 of 111 spots |
| Jan 21 | Thu Jan 21 | 98 of 111 spots |
| Feb 19–21 | Sat Feb 20 | 100 of 111 spots |
| Mar 21–22 | Mon Mar 22 | 101 of 111 spots |
| Mar 25 | Thu Mar 25 | 91 of 111 spots |
| Apr 22 | Thu Apr 22 | 43 of 111 spots |
| May 8–9 | Sat May 8 | 103 of 111 spots |
Favorite tide pools in Maine
| Tide pools | Next good low tides | Lowest |
|---|---|---|
| Ship Harbor, Acadia Tides: Bass Harbor, 2 mi | Oct 26 then Nov 23–24, Dec 22–23 | -0.9 ft Mon Oct 26, 5:00 PM |
| Wonderland, Acadia Tides: Bass Harbor, 2 mi | Oct 26 then Nov 23–24, Dec 22–23 | -0.9 ft Mon Oct 26, 5:00 PM |
| Pemaquid Point Tides: New Harbor, Muscongus Bay, 3 mi | Oct 26 then Nov 23, Dec 22–23 | -1.0 ft Mon Oct 26, 5:38 PM |
| Two Lights, Cape Elizabeth Tides: Portland Head Light, 4 mi | Nov 23 then Dec 22–23, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:34 PM |
Tide pool lows for your spot
Next good low
Showing all 111 spots
| Spot | Next tide pool lows | Lowest |
|---|---|---|
| Bar Harbor | Oct 26 afternoon then Nov 23, Dec 22–23 | -1.0 ft Mon Oct 26, 5:27 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Bass Harbor | Oct 26 afternoon then Nov 23–24, Dec 22–23 | -0.9 ft Mon Oct 26, 5:00 PM 5 good days in the next 3 months |
| Belfast | Oct 26 afternoon then Nov 23, Dec 22–23 | -1.0 ft Mon Oct 26, 5:31 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Boothbay Harbor | Oct 26 afternoon then Nov 23, Dec 22–23 | -1.0 ft Mon Oct 26, 5:38 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Burnt Coat Harbor, Swans Island | Oct 26 afternoon then Nov 23, Dec 22–23 | -0.9 ft Mon Oct 26, 5:33 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Burnt Island, Georges Islands | Oct 26 afternoon then Nov 23, Dec 22–23 | -1.0 ft Mon Oct 26, 5:34 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Damariscove Harbor, Damariscove Island | Oct 26 afternoon then Nov 23, Dec 22–23 | -1.0 ft Mon Oct 26, 5:36 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Friendship Harbor | Oct 26 afternoon then Nov 23, Dec 22–23 | -1.0 ft Mon Oct 26, 5:35 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Gerrish Island | Oct 26 afternoon then Nov 23, Dec 22–23 | -0.9 ft Mon Oct 26, 5:43 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Green Island, Petit Manan Bar | Oct 26 afternoon then Nov 23, Dec 22–23 | -1.2 ft Mon Oct 26, 5:22 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Isle Au Haut | Oct 26 afternoon then Nov 23–24, Dec 22–23 | -0.9 ft Mon Oct 26, 5:00 PM 5 good days in the next 3 months |
| Matinicus Harbor, Wheaton Island | Oct 26 afternoon then Nov 23–24, Dec 22–23 | -0.8 ft Mon Oct 26, 5:00 PM 5 good days in the next 3 months |
| Monhegan Island | Oct 26 afternoon then Nov 23, Dec 22–23 | -1.0 ft Mon Oct 26, 5:37 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| New Harbor, Muscongus Bay | Oct 26 afternoon then Nov 23, Dec 22–23 | -1.0 ft Mon Oct 26, 5:38 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Oceanville, Deer Isle | Oct 26 afternoon then Dec 23, Jan 21 | -1.0 ft Mon Oct 26, 5:32 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Old Orchard Beach | Oct 26 afternoon then Nov 23, Dec 22–23 | -1.0 ft Mon Oct 26, 5:40 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Otis Cove | Oct 26 afternoon then Nov 23, Dec 22–23 | -1.0 ft Mon Oct 26, 5:32 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Peak Island | Oct 26 afternoon then Nov 23, Dec 22–23 | -1.0 ft Mon Oct 26, 5:38 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Prospect Harbor | Oct 26 afternoon then Nov 23, Dec 22–23 | -1.1 ft Mon Oct 26, 5:31 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Seapoint, Cutts Island | Oct 26 afternoon then Nov 23, Dec 22–23 | -1.0 ft Mon Oct 26, 5:42 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Southwest Harbor | Oct 26 afternoon then Nov 23–24, Dec 22–23 | -0.9 ft Mon Oct 26, 5:00 PM 5 good days in the next 3 months |
| Steele Harbor Island | Oct 26 afternoon then Nov 23, Dec 22–23 | -1.3 ft Mon Oct 26, 5:26 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Stone Island, Machias Bay | Oct 26 afternoon then Nov 24, Dec 23 | -1.0 ft Mon Oct 26, 5:17 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Stonington, Deer Isle | Oct 26 afternoon then Nov 23, Dec 22–23 | -0.9 ft Mon Oct 26, 5:33 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Tenants Harbor | Oct 26 afternoon then Nov 23, Dec 22–23 | -1.0 ft Mon Oct 26, 5:35 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Back Cove | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:41 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Back River | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 4:06 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Blue Hill Harbor | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22–23, Jan 21 | -0.8 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:27 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Bucksport | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22–23, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:27 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Cape Neddick | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:43 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Cape Porpoise | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.8 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:49 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Castine | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22–23, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:27 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Center Harbor | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22–23, Jan 21 | -0.8 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:28 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Cliff Island, Luckse Sound | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22–23, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:33 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Cow Island | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22–23, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:35 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Cross River entrance | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:39 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Cundy Harbor, New Meadows River | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22–23, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:33 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Cushing Island | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22–23, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:36 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Doyle Point | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22–23, Jan 21 | -0.8 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:32 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| East Boothbay | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:36 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Falmouth Foreside | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22–23, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:36 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Fore River | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22–23, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:37 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Fort Point, York Harbor | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.8 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:45 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Great Chebeague Island | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:37 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Great Diamond Island | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22–23, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:35 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Gross Point, Eastern Channel | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22–23, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:26 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Howard Point, New Meadows River | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:36 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Isle of Springs | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22–23, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:31 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Jones Neck | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22–23, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:30 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Kennebunkport | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 20–21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:44 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Kittery Point | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22–23, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:36 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Little Deer Isle | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.8 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:30 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Long Island | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22–23, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:34 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Muscongus Harbor, Muscongus Sound | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22–23, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:32 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Newcastle | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 4:00 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| North Haven | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22–23, Jan 21 | -0.8 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:26 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Pemaquid Harbor, Johns Bay | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22–23, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:31 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Pettegrove Point, Dochet Island | Nov 23 afternoon then Jan 21, Feb 20 | -1.4 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:44 PM 1 good day in the next 3 months |
| Phippsburg | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.8 ft Mon Nov 23, 4:03 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Port Clyde | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22–23, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:28 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Portland | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22–23, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:35 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Portland Head Light | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22–23, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:34 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Presumpscot River Bridge | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:39 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Prince Point | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22–23, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:36 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Robinhood, Sasanoa River | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:49 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Sandy Point | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22–23, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:24 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Seavey Island | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.7 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:55 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Sheepscot (below rapids) | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:55 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| South Freeport | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:45 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| South Harpswell, Potts Harbor | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:36 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Southport, Townsend Gut | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:36 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Thomaston | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.8 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:35 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Vaill Island | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22–23, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:36 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Vinalhaven, Vinalhaven Island | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22–23, Jan 21 | -0.8 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:26 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Waldoboro | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22–23, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:31 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Walpole | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.8 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:51 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Wells, Webhannet River | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22–23, Jan 20–21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:36 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Wilson Cove, Middle Bay | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:37 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Winter Harbor, Frenchman Bay | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.8 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:26 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Wiscasset | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:39 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| York Harbor | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.8 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:48 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Fort Popham, Hunniwell Point | Dec 22 afternoon then Jan 20–21, Feb 19–20 | -0.8 ft Tue Dec 22, 3:24 PM 1 good day in the next 3 months |
| Mackerel Cove, Swans Island | Dec 22 afternoon then Jan 20–21, Feb 19–20 | -1.1 ft Tue Dec 22, 3:06 PM 1 good day in the next 3 months |
| Mill Point, Sasanoa River | Dec 22 afternoon then Feb 19–20, Feb 24 | -0.9 ft Tue Dec 22, 3:56 PM 1 good day in the next 3 months |
| Cutler, Little River | Dec 23 afternoon then Jan 21, Feb 19–21 | -1.5 ft Wed Dec 23, 3:49 PM 1 good day in the next 3 months |
| Cutler, Naval Radio Station | Dec 23 afternoon then Jan 21, Feb 19–21 | -1.4 ft Wed Dec 23, 3:49 PM 1 good day in the next 3 months |
| Fort Point, Penobscot River | Dec 23 afternoon then Jan 21, Feb 19–21 | -1.3 ft Wed Dec 23, 3:59 PM 1 good day in the next 3 months |
| Machiasport, Machias River | Dec 23 afternoon then Jan 21, Feb 19–21 | -1.1 ft Wed Dec 23, 3:53 PM 1 good day in the next 3 months |
| Pulpit Harbor, North Haven Island | Dec 23 afternoon then Jan 21, Feb 19–21 | -1.4 ft Wed Dec 23, 4:01 PM 1 good day in the next 3 months |
| Rockland | Dec 23 afternoon then Jan 21, Feb 19–21 | -1.3 ft Wed Dec 23, 4:01 PM 1 good day in the next 3 months |
| Shoppee Point, Englishman Bay | Dec 23 afternoon then Jan 21, Feb 19–21 | -1.1 ft Wed Dec 23, 3:49 PM 1 good day in the next 3 months |
| Biddeford, Saco River | Dec 28 morning then Jan 27, Feb 11 | -1.9 ft Mon Dec 28, 8:19 AM 1 good day in the next 3 months |
| Bangor | Jan 21 afternoon then Feb 20, Feb 24 | -0.8 ft Thu Jan 21, 4:02 PM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| Camp Ellis, Saco River Entrance | Jan 21 afternoon then Feb 19–20, Mar 21 | -1.0 ft Thu Jan 21, 4:07 PM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| Eastport | Jan 21 afternoon then Feb 19–20, Mar 21–25 | -1.5 ft Thu Jan 21, 3:48 PM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| Ellsworth, Union River | Jan 21 afternoon then Feb 19–20, Mar 21 | -1.2 ft Thu Jan 21, 3:54 PM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| Garnet Point, Pennamquan River | Jan 21 afternoon then Feb 19–20, Feb 24 | -1.8 ft Thu Jan 21, 4:09 PM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| Millbridge, Narraguagus River, Maine | Jan 21 afternoon then Feb 19–20, Mar 25 | -0.9 ft Thu Jan 21, 3:54 PM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| Pine Point, Scarborough River | Jan 21 afternoon then Feb 19–20, Mar 21 | -0.9 ft Thu Jan 21, 4:15 PM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| Winterport | Jan 21 afternoon then Feb 19–20, Mar 22 | -1.4 ft Thu Jan 21, 3:53 PM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| Richmond | Jan 23–26 mornings then Feb 21–25, Mar 22–25 | -0.2 ft Sun Jan 24, 9:00 AM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| Androscoggin River entrance | Jan 24–25 mornings then Feb 21–24, Mar 22–25 | -0.5 ft Sun Jan 24, 9:16 AM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| Bowdoinham, Cathance River | Jan 24–25 mornings then Feb 22–24, Mar 22–25 | -0.6 ft Sun Jan 24, 8:32 AM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| Brunswick, Androscoggin River | Jan 24–25 mornings then Feb 21–24, Mar 22–25 | -0.4 ft Sun Jan 24, 10:26 AM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| Gardiner | Jan 24–25 mornings then Feb 21–24, Mar 22–24 | -0.1 ft Sun Jan 24, 9:52 AM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| Birch Islands | Jan 25 morning then Feb 19, Feb 23–24 | -1.2 ft Mon Jan 25, 7:57 AM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| Gravelly Point, Whiting Bay | Jan 25 morning then Feb 23–24, Mar 21–25 | -0.6 ft Mon Jan 25, 8:14 AM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| Salmon Falls River | Jan 25 morning then Feb 23–24, Mar 23–25 | -0.7 ft Mon Jan 25, 8:36 AM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| Sturgeon Island, Merrymeeting Bay | Jan 25 morning then Feb 22–24, Mar 23–25 | -0.5 ft Mon Jan 25, 8:48 AM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| Bath | Jan 26 morning then Feb 19, Feb 24 | -0.8 ft Tue Jan 26, 8:36 AM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| Coffins Point | Jan 26 morning then Feb 20, Feb 24 | -1.1 ft Tue Jan 26, 8:14 AM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
Tide pool tips
Go before the low
Arrive about an hour before low tide and head back as soon as the water turns.
Watch the waves
Sneaker waves run far up rocky shores, especially on the Pacific. Never turn your back on the ocean.
Step on bare rock
Seaweed and barnacles are slippery and alive. Wear shoes with grip and step on bare rock or sand.
Look, don't take
Touch gently with a wet finger, put rocks back as you found them, and leave animals and shells. Many tide pools are protected.
How these dates are worked out
For every spot we take NOAA's low tide predictions for the next 12 months. A low counts as a tide pool low when it's in that spot's lowest 10% and comes between an hour after sunrise and sunset, so there's light for the hour before it. Heights are feet above mean lower low water (MLLW), the zero on tide charts; below zero is a minus tide. Wind and swell can keep the water higher than predicted. Not for navigation.