Coastal Nature Cruises in Bar Harbor, Maine

Table Of Content

• The Stanton Bird Club - Thorncrag Nature Sanctuary
• Bar Harbor Whale Watching, Maine Whale Tour Companies
• LOBSTER FISHING AND SEAL WATCHING
• Cap'n Fish's Cruises
• Puffin Tours in Maine from New Harbor
• One of Bar Harbor’s most popular wildlife and sightseeing cruises!
• Where to See Puffins on The Maine Coast
• Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge

If no puffins are sighted on YOUR trip, you will receive a standby ticket good for another puffin cruise, or other cruises. Join us for a spectacular nature cruise among the islands and shorelines of beautiful Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island. Take in breathtaking scenery, rugged maritime landscapes, and ocean teeming with wildlife. About half way through our cruise, we’ll stow all the lobster gear and head off to a small island to view seals basking on the rocks or swimming in the nearby water. The boat circles EER at a distance of 50 – 150 feet from the rocky shoreline. Puffins are frequently sighted on the water and often seen as close as 25 feet from the boat!

The Stanton Bird Club - Thorncrag Nature Sanctuary

12 Things To Do In Bar Harbor: Complete Guide To Unforgettable Sights & Stops - TheTravel

12 Things To Do In Bar Harbor: Complete Guide To Unforgettable Sights & Stops.

Posted: Fri, 23 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

During the warmer months, guests can also attend exciting on-property events like our signature lobster bakes! There’s truly no better place to stay in Midcoast Maine. The Gulf of Maine and the region that encompasses Acadia National Park is rich with marine life. Among the marine life are Finback, Humpback and Minke whales.

Bar Harbor Whale Watching, Maine Whale Tour Companies

The boat then takes a scenic ride along Schoodic Peninsula to view the shoreline of Acadia National Park and visit Winter Harbor Light. Binoculars and/or a long zoom lens are recommended for viewing wildlife such as seals and eagles. New Harbor is only 5 miles from Eastern Egg Rock (EER) making it the closest, easiest and most convenient way to see these fascinating birds. On the way to the EER during our puffin cruise you will see Franklin Island Lighthouse, Monhegan Island, the islands of Muscongus Bay and a spectacular view of the Camden Hills. Because most seabirds only come to land to nest, the nesting season from May through July is the best time to see seabirds on Maine’s coast.

LOBSTER FISHING AND SEAL WATCHING

This company operates out of Boothbay Harbor, Maine, just a few minutes away from the small town of Southport! Cap’n Fish’s Audubon Puffin Cruise was the first in the region and remains one of the most popular. A cruise aboard one of their boats is narrated by a certified marine biologist, so prepare for an educational journey. A plus of cruising with this company is that the boats used are environmentally-friendly! Cap’n Fish’s company also offers whale watching, which is one of the best things to do in Maine this April. During our adventure we saw seals, the infamous puffins, bald eagles along with many other critters as well.

Best Time for Puffin Watching in Maine 2024 - When to See - Rove.me

Best Time for Puffin Watching in Maine 2024 - When to See.

Posted: Thu, 25 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

If no whales or puffins are sighted on YOUR trip, you will receive a standby ticket good for another whale watch, puffin cruise, or other cruises. There are many reputable tour boat operators on the Maine Coast, both large and small, that visit seabird nesting islands. Some have naturalists on board, some try to find whales and seals, some make it a point to pass by lighthouses. All are dependent on the variable weather of the Maine Coast!

Puffin Tours in Maine from New Harbor

Visitors are not permitted on most islands, but one exception is Machias Seal Island, off Cutler. For those who don’t already know, puffins are one of Maine’s most threatened species. This striking bird makes its home on Eastern Egg Rock, just a few miles off the coast. The northern birds live in colonies, and the one that inhabits Maine is the southernmost colony in the world! Puffins are typically found in places like Iceland and Norway, so this colony is a real treat for wildlife enthusiasts. The distant Maсhias Seal Island boasts the greatest puffin population and is the only island where you can watch the birds from the shore which allows getting closest to them.

One of Bar Harbor’s most popular wildlife and sightseeing cruises!

Watch our experienced fisherman haul in lobster traps, then head off to a small island to view seals basking on the rocks. Seal Island National Wildlife Refuge with the surface of 65 acres (26 ha) is home to the largest puffin population in the state itself. The island is located nearly 22 miles (35 km) off the coast, and the tours depart from Stonington.

One of the most entertaining activities to try in New England is a puffin cruise in Maine. This is a great way to see these unique birds in their natural habitat! They’re only around for a few months each year, so here’s what you need to know before planning a trip. It is pure joy to be able to observe these unique and fascinating birds in their native habitats. Book a cruise today that will enable you to see both whales and puffins in their natural environment. Spend an afternoon packed with the wonders of nature on this incredible tour.

Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge

We have naturalists who will keep you informed about the wildlife we are seeing and are happy to answer any questions you may have. The crew was fantastic and went out of their way to find whales. Head offshore in search of whales while your guide educates you about the whales and other species of the Gulf of Maine. Binoculars are also helpful for viewing other wildlife such as seals and eagles.

Some have naturalists on board to share details about the birds and their island homes. Machias Seal Island is the only island that visitors can land on and view puffins from close range behind blinds. Our team does their best to provide you with a high quality experience and has a long-history of conducting successful trips. However, wildlife moves around all of the time so we don’t follow the same route for every trip. That means that these cruises may run longer than 4 hours, so plan accordingly.

If you choose other destinations, it will be reasonable to bring binoculars along. The long drive to the border is worth it, not only for the prime puffin watching but also for the Bold Coast Scenic Byway. Maine ocean islands provide the only nesting sites for Atlantic puffins in the United States.

Join us on this one of a kind cruise dedicated to off-shore birding! The fall excursion gives a chance at some very sought after pelagic species, such as the Great Skua. The light is a conical granite tower, standing at 119 feet tall, making this the second tallest lighthouse in Maine.

The lighthouse sits on Petit Manan island, another Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge island. Petit Manan Island is the last of a series of ledges extending out from Petit Manan Point. Our 56’ vessel has ample bench seating and an open bow for photography and wildlife viewing opportunities.

They are a true sea bird, living, swimming and riding the ocean waves regardless of the weather. Guests enjoy easy access to the BH shuttle, taking you to most of downtown shops and attractions (like tours). We are centrally between town and Acadia Park 1.5 miles away. This evening trip is one of the most beautiful ways to experience Frenchman Bay and Acadia National Park as the sun sets. Learn information about the environment, history, and culture of the area.

Our captains, crews and naturalists are expertly trained and promote responsible whale watching and conservation efforts on our Bar Harbor tours. Some of the wildlife we will be seeking are whales, Atlantic puffins, pelagic birds, ocean sunfish, seals, dolphins, sharks, and more. The history of puffins on Maine islands is complicated. In the past, these birds populated the coastal areas of Maine, but by the early 1900s, there were no puffins spotted on the islands besides a single pair of puffins on Matinicus Rock. After the implementation of the 1918 Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which banned the killing of wild birds in the US, puffins slowly returned to Matinicur Rock.