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ISLAND CRUISES

Bar Harbor Area Boat Tours & Charters

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ISLAND CRUISES

BAR HARBOR AND ACADIA AREA BOAT TOURS FROM SCENIC BASS HARBOR, MAINE

Island Cruises offers a leisurely, interactive introduction to the outer islands, wildlife, and history of the Bar Harbor and Acadia area. Spectacular wildlife abounds—from sunbathing seals to majestic osprey and eagles, all observable in their natural habitats. It’s no wonder that the Audubon Society, Nature Conservancy, and Maine Coast Heritage Trust have all made such strong commitments to Blue Hill Bay.

A quiet and relaxing alternative to other Bar Harbor boat tours, Island Cruises is based out of Bass Harbor. We have been family-owned and operated for over 20 years. Our primary vessel, the 40-foot R.L. Gott, is a lobster-style passenger boat that carries a small and friendly crowd of no more than 49 passengers.

We’re the perfect venue to see seals, porpoises, herons, osprey, eagles, and other wildlife up close and personal, and haul a lobster trap or two—all while experiencing beautiful scenery and learning the lore of Bass Harbor and Maine’s rich fishing history from local captains Kim and Eli Strauss. Whether you enjoy wildlife or just peaceful scenery, Island Cruises has a great trip for you. Step aboard one of our boats for an experience you’ll never forget.

We now offer sailboat tours aboard our 6-passenger sailing vessel, the Motu Iti. This meticulously maintained Pearson 365 has a well-earned cult following among cruising sailors the world over—a finer sailboat to cruise the Maine coast can’t be found. Although this boat carries fewer passengers, it is anything but small—with multiple bunks, a full galley, and a head with a separate shower down below. If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to sail, we encourage you to help crew the boat and become proficient in this delightful pastime. Or just sit back and relax as you enjoy the serenity and natural beauty of the coast of Maine.

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CHECK OUT OUR TRIPADVISOR REVIEWS
★★★★★

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Bass Harbor Island Cruise

Amazing!! Informative on historical, biological, cultural and economical level! Our guide Eli and his wife Robin were wonderful. Eli had so many interesting facts and stories to share and he was well spoken and extremely interesting. Despite the cold temps we all enjoyed it very much. Even without seeing bald eagles, harbor seals, gray seals, porpoises, lobsters and other birds it would have been a great tour.

– Sophia T. | TripAdvisor
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Amazing!!

We took the Afternoon Nature Cruise on the RL Gott. We saw eagles, seals and even saw a dolphin. The captain was extremely knowledgeable about the islands and their history, and it fascinating to see and learn about them, the salmon hatchery, and lobster fishing. It was also really cool to see him pull in a lobster trap and learn about the lobsters and crabs inside. I would highly recommend this affordable 2 hour cruise!!

– Scott B. | TripAdvisor
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Wonderful nature cruise!

The two hour afternoon nature cruise was very enjoyable. Capt. Eli is very knowledgeable about the history of the islands in the Gulf of Maine, and provided details of the people and marine life that live(d) on or around the islands. We saw seals, eagles, porpoises, a salmon farm and a cormorant rookery. Capt. Eli also retrieved a lobster trap to explain how lobsters are caught and measured. A worthwhile experience!

– James L. | TripAdvisor
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Great boat trip

Capt. Eli and first mate Jill were great hosts for our trip. Eli is very knowledgable about the islands and gets the boat real close to the rocks so you can see a light house plus various wild life like seals, porpoises, and on our trip we even saw a bald eagle. The trip included a stop for lunch at the town of Frenchboro on the Island of Long Island. Its a great little fishing village. On the way back Eli hawls up a lobster trap and talks about the lobstering industry in Maine. The entire trip is awesome and well worth it!

– Dave F. | TripAdvisor