Local whale sightings captured on video
Whales are feeding close to shore, including one in Bucks Harbor. DMR issues an advisory to keep them — and observers — safe.
Oakley Clifford of Brooksville took this photo of an unexpected encounter with a humpback whale off Cape Rosier on Aug. 8.
Aug. 10, 2026
By John Boit
The past several summers have seen whales come closer to shore than usual, and last week was no exception.
Video of a whale off Cape Rosier, courtesy of Jamie MacNair of Penobscot.
A humpback whale was spotted by boaters off Cape Rosier in Brooksville on Aug. 8. The whale put on a show of slapping its tail on the water, a habit that could mean anything from “stay away,” to a technique used to stun prey, to simple playfulness, according to various whale research websites.
Two days earlier, on Aug. 6, a whale presumed to also be a humpback by observers, was seen slowly cruising around boats moored in Bucks Harbor.
Numerous whales have been spotted close to shore this summer along the length of Maine’s coast. The sightings of whales have become so prevalent close to shore that the Maine Department of Marine Resources issued an advisory to boaters last month, including kayakers and paddleboarders. The DMR recommends:
Keep your distance. Always stay at least 100 feet away from a whale, and preferably 300 feet, the department says.
Slow down. Reducing speed to 10 knots ( about 11.5 miles per hour) gives both whales and boaters time to react to prevent collisions.
Steer clear of spouts and bubbles. Whales corral fish using bubbles. If you see any large bubbles or disturbances in the water, it could be a whale feeding, so unless you feel like getting up close and personal with its massive mouth, give them a wide berth.
Protect your recreational fishing gear. Don't cast or troll near or around humpback whales or bubble clouds. If a bubble cloud appears while you’re fishing, pull up your gear, if possible.
The DMR said it believes the whales have been drawn close to shore by schools of fish. Numerous balls of menhaden – an oily, nutrient-packed fish known locally as pogies – have been in the area for weeks and are a favorite food for humpbacks.
A whale swam around Bucks Harbor on Aug. 6. Video courtesy of Geoff Facey of Belfast.
