Say Hello to the Puffins
What’s a trip to coastal Maine without seeing some marine wildlife? There are several companies in DownEast Maine that offer various boat tours. The most popular is always visiting the Atlantic Puffins.There are also whale watches, picnic tours and fishing charters.
The following tours are offered by Robertson Sea Tours out of Milbridge, Maine.
The “Maine” Cruise
This cruise is approximately 2.5 hours.
Experience the thrill of hauling up a few of the Captain’s lobster traps aboard our 32′ vessel, the Kandi Leigh. Highlights of this cruise include lobster fishing, viewing seals, eagles, and scenic islands. Listen to the Captain talk about the history of the area as well as his own abundant adventures on the waters of Maine. Families are quite fond of this experience and seeing the faces of their children as they encounter unforgettable sights.
Puffins & Seabird Cruise
This cruise is approximately 3 hours.
Bird watchers will enjoy a cruise to Petit Manan Island a national wildlife refuge and home to Petit Manan Lighthouse. For more than a century Petit Manan light has ensured the safe travel for passing vessels. The lighthouse now provides a safe sanctuary for hundreds of seabirds including our favorite Atlantic Puffin during the months of mid-May through mid-August. Other birds that can be seen on the island are Common, Artic, and endangered Roseate Terns; Razorbills; Black Guillemots; Common Eiders; Leach’s Storm-petrel; and of course Laughing, Herring, & Black-back Gulls. Lobster traps will be hauled.
Whale Watch Cruise
This cruise is approximately 4-5 hours.
Join us aboard the 33′ Susan Jane with Captain Jim Parker or, with Captain Robertson aboard our vessel, the 32′ Kandi Leigh. Unlike the big whale watch boats, we offer a 6 person maximum trip so you won’t be packed on with hundreds of other passengers. This enables our passengers to have the comfort and freedom of a more personalized cruise with Captain Parker or Captain Robertson. You may view Humpback, Finback and Minke whales. Also during the trip we will usually run to Petit Manan Island where Maine’s second tallest Lighthouse (Petit Manan Light) is in function. At Petit Manan you will get an up close and personal view of the Atlantic Puffin! Other wildlife viewings may include Sea Ducks, Terns, seals, porpoise, and more!
Note: Depending upon whale feeding habits and location, the Captain MAY opt to run by Petit Manan Lighthouse. It is not gurenteed on this tour. If you are most interested in the lighthouse, please opt for the Puffin and Seabird cruise.
Lighthouse Tours
A two Lighthouse Tour
**THIS TOUR IS ONLY AVAILABLE STARTING IN SEPTEMBER***
This is a 2 hour trip that visits the 2 inshore lighthouses Narraguagus Light, located on Pond Island and Nash Island Light, located on Nash Island. Also during the trip Seals, Eagles and Scenic coastline may also be viewed.
A three Lighthouse Tour
*** THIS TOUR IS ONLY AVIALABLE STARTING IN SEPTEMBER***
This is a 3 hour cruise which visits the 3 local Light Houses closest to Narraguagus Bay. Narraguagus Lighthouse located on Pond Island, Petit Manan Lighthouse located on Petit Manan Island. Our puffin and Seabird Cruises visit this Island during the summer, it is a wildlife refuge and the Light House tower is the second tallest in Maine. The third Lighthouse is Nash Island light located on Nash Island. Also During the trip Seals, Eagles and Scenic coastline may also be viewed.
Lobster Fishing Tour
This is a 2 hour trip around the bay and Islands Hauling and Baiting the Captains Lobster Traps. See Maine’s famous crustcean come from the bottom of the ocean and on the boat. This is Lobstering 101! Lobster available to purchase on request.
Private Charters & Special Requests
If you are interested in a Maine charter boat for a private cruise or special request, we are always willing to create a special day to suit your needs. When customizing your cruise, please plan ahead to give us at least one week advance notice so we can try to reserve the dates requested. Perhaps you want the boat to yourself to cruise to view a special area of the Downeast coast or perhaps you have something more creative in mind.
Island Lobster Bake
This consists of a tour around the inner islands, searching for wildlife and enjoying the coastline. If we have our traps in the water, you may get to experience fishing our lobster traps for your meal! Next, is OFF LOADING onto a SKIFF, which may not be suitable for some, and going ashore an island, to explore. While passengers explore the island, (of the Captain’s choice), the Captain and at times, his wife, will set up everything for your lobster bake.
THE MEAL: One lobster per person (more can be requested and the price will be reflected) One ear of corn on the cob, a side dish item, a macaroni salad or a potato salad, one bottled water, dessert item, of our choosing. IF the Captain’s wife is ABLE, a HOMEMADE Organic BLUEBERRY PIE would finish up your meal.
* We then clean up, and load back on the SKIFF< to then load into the Kandi Leigh, and cruise back to the marina. Please let the Captain know if you have any allergies when booking. If you have special requests or needs, please be sure to let us know so we can accommodate.
Land on an Island for a Few Hours of Hiking and Exploring
Bring a lunch and explore, off-loading into a skiff is necessary for island landings.
Other area boat companies include:
The Bold Coast Charter Company — Cutler, Maine.
- Puffin Tours – Machias Seal Island – Largest Puffin Colony on the Maine Coast
- Authorized by the US Fish and Wildlife Service
- Family owned and operated for over 28 years
Interested in a visit to Machias Seal Island? Here’s what you need to know:
The price for the approximately five hour excursion is $140.00 per person (subject to change).
Bold Coast Charter Co. is the only tour operator in the United States permitted to bring visitors ashore on Machias Seal Island, and spaces on our island landing tours are very limited. While we generally schedule one tour daily, reservations are necessary and most tours fully book well in advance.
In addition, access to the island itself is dependent on favorable sea conditions, which naturally cannot be controlled or reliably predicted in advance. Island landings are not guaranteed and all tours are subject to cancellation in the event of unfavorable weather or seas.
Tours are conducted from late May until August 12. Our limited tour availability is subject to change as booking requests are received – either call or e-mail with your preferred dates to get up to date information on availability.