FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Bring layers of warm clothing. Even if it’s hot on land it can be up to 20 degrees cooler on the water.

Bring any food or drinks you wish for the trip we do not provide or sell any on board.

Due to our Coast Guard certification lifejackets are not required, we do have them on board for emergencies.

Arrive 20mins before your departure time to check in.  Seating is general admission, and we are often fully booked, so large parties especially should come early to sit together.

We will cancel and refund your trip due to poor weather.  Rain, fog, wind and swells are taken into consideration as we want you to have an enjoyable trip.  Weather is often drastically different on the water than on land, trust your captain to make the call.

How to find us, maps and address on our Contact Us page: CLICK HERE

Island Explorer Bus Route: Route 7, stop H

We love our pets, but we do not allow dogs on the boat.  Check out Acadia Woods Kennel, acadiawoodskennels.com, 207-288-9733, 31 Greta’s Lane, Bar Harbor, for doggy daycare.

You will see Bass Harbor Head light on your tour.

We see lots of wildlife: seals, sea birds, eagles.  

You may see sunfish, porpoise, whales and puffins on occasion.

Your cruise is narrated by the captain who grew up in the area and has studied the history and natural ecosystem extensively.  He will point out all the sights and is happy to answer all of your questions.

Our passenger count is set by the coast guard and we must count ‘all souls’ so even infants on laps need a seat reserved.

We begin tours and charters June 1st and run through Oct 15th.

Our trips are weather dependent and this may cause cancellations most often early and late in our season (June and Oct).  

Nature Cruise

Our 2 hour tours depart at 11am and/or 2pm depending on the date and weather. 

We begin with one trip, 5 days a week and add our second trip as the weather improves and demand increases.  

During the busiest part of our season mid July-late Aug we run two tours M-F and one on Sat.  The calendar on our website is live and up-to-the minute with our availability.

Our Office

Our office is generally staffed 9am-4pm monday-friday, but may be unattended due to staff availability or when no tour is scheduled.  You can contact us by phone or email outside office hours.  Booking and availability calendar are available 24-7 here on our website.

Please do not block boat ramp, bay doors or private parking access.

Restroom– there is a clean port-a-potty at our office and a Marine head on the boat for emergencies.

Customers will receive a full refund with at least 24 hours notice of cancellation. Customers will also receive a full refund in case of operator cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Contact us preferably by email, or by phone to cancel or inquire about a cancellation. No-shows  and cancellations within 24 hrs of departure will be charged the full price and missed trips are not transferable to another time.

When you charter a boat, it’s all yours. All that’s required for a perfect trip is a brief conversation with your captain when you meet up about what you’d like to do.
If you’re unsure and just want an awesome time on the water, our Captains love great boat rides and will guarantee you have a blast.  Sunset trips: an additional half hr will be available during booking when necessary to catch the sunset.

You may bring your well behaved pet.
Bring layers of warm clothing. Even if it’s hot on land it can be up to 20 degrees cooler on the water.
Bring any food or drinks including alcohol you wish for the trip, there is a cooler on board, bring ice if you wish.
Other items you may want: camera, sunscreen, binoculars, hat, sunglasses
We provide all gear for fishing trips (you are welcome to bring your own rod) and you don’t need a license
We have life jackets for all sizes onboard.

We will cancel and refund your trip due to poor weather. Rain, fog, wind and swells are taken into consideration as we want you to have an enjoyable trip.

Weather is often drastically different on the water than on land, trust your captain to make the call.

Sunset trips: Due to weather conditions and changing sunset times a trip may occasionally have to be shortened, we will provide a refund for time not used as needed.

Island Explorer Bus: Bus 7, stop H

How to find us, maps and address on our Contact Us page: CLICK HERE

Meet your captain down on the dock at the time of departure, our office may be unmanned and
the boat may be returning from another trip

You can bring 6 passengers on your trip regardless of age, this is set by the Coast Guard.

Mackerel, cod, pollock, cunner, Acadian redfish, cusk, sculpin, and flounder are some of the species we target. Due to strict regulation some species are catch and release, your captain will know all limits and seasons.

Seals, puffins, eagles, sea birds, porpoises, whales, otters, deer, and ocean sunfish are some of the species we encounter.

You will pass Bass Harbor Head light as you leave the harbor, no matter your trip plan. Bear Island light, Duck Island Light and Burnt Coat light are all in the area.

You can set up a lighthouse tour but taking in multiple lights takes travel time as they are spread out.

You can take a sightseeing charter to an island, just select it under “what would you like to do?” while booking.

An Island Stop allows you to explore a coastal Maine island in and around Blue Hill Bay. There will be lots to see on the way to your destination such as: lighthouses, Cadillac Mountain, and wildlife (seals, eagles, porpoises, & more). Our local captains will help you customize your island visit: see a small offshore community or an uninhabited conservation island. An offshore island visit is a unique chance to escape Acadia crowds and experience areas of limited accessibility for a picnic, hike, swim, beach-combing or dockside dining. 

Be sure to book the length of trip to fit your plans,  see descriptions below, call or email with questions.

3 Hour Minimum Booking (~2hrs on island, depending on your interests)

Cranberry, Islesford (little cranberry) or Frenchboro:  Dock to dock access, 1-2hrs on island to explore, Picnic, Take photos, Visit museum/gallery, Take in sights and wildlife onboard/enroute

Black, Gotts, Placenta, Pond: anchor and access the shore with a small dighy.  Explore isolated conservation areas, beaches, trails, swim

Other islands and options available, with a longer booking including dockside dining options, and longer hiking trails

We begin tours and charters June 1st and run through Oct 15th.

Our trips are weather dependent and this may cause cancellations most often early and late in our season (June and Oct).  

Private Charters

Our charter boats are available for booking 7 days a week 8 am to sunset with a 2hr minimum trip.  

Private charters often start while our office is closed, no check in is required just meet your captain on our dock.

For charter reservations inside of 24hrs you must call to book as we have to verify that our captains will be able to make the booking.

Our Office

Our office is generally staffed 9am-4pm monday-friday, but may be unattended due to staff availability or when no tour is scheduled.  You can still contact us by phone or email outside office hours.  Booking and availability calendar are available 24-7 here on our website.

Please do not block boat ramp, bay doors or private parking access.

Restroom– there is a clean port-a-potty at our office and a Marine head on the boat (no sink).

Customers will receive a full refund with at least 48 hours notice of cancellation. With a deposit the balance is due 48hrs before your trip, use the link in your confirmation email to complete payment.  Failure to complete payment is NOT a cancellation you must contact us to cancel or the full price of your trip will be charged.  Contact us preferably by email, or by phone to cancel or inquire about a cancellation. No-shows  and cancellations within 48 hrs of departure will be charged the full price and missed trips are not transferable to another time. Customers will also receive a full refund in case of operator cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances regardless of timing.