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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.
All 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.
Cap'n Fish's Cruises
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!
Bar Harbor Whale Watching, Maine Whale Tour Companies
It was a great experience we saw several whales and porpoise and dolphins while on the tour. The crew and staff were great and they really took time to make our tour extra special. We highly recommend this company to all who want to experience an once in a lifetime experience. We luckily choose a beautiful day for the cruise in early August with warm temperatures, little wind, and lots of wildlife out and about! On our cruise we saw three lighthouses, some porpoise, bald eagles, seals, ospreys, and many other species of birds.
Where to See Puffins on The Maine Coast
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.
See what our guests have to say about vacationing at Newagen Seaside Inn by browsing our reviews — click here to read reviews. Then, check our availability and book your stay to experience our beautiful property for yourself. The Bar Harbor Whale Museum is a museum focusing solely on the Gulf of Maine's whale and seal populations. We are located next to Bar Harbor Whale Watch, so grab food from our cafe to bring on the boat with you, including coffees, pastries, lobster rolls and other sandwiches.
What to Know Before Visiting
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!
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Therefore, puffins have nowhere to hide from curious watchers. Along with the birds, one may spot seals and bald eagles. The tours to Eastern Egg Rock depart from New Harbor in the town of Bristol, Boothbay Harbor, and Port Clyde. Explore the rich wildlife population and enjoy the breathtaking scenery of coastal Maine, Acadia National Park, the islands of Frenchman Bay, and the shoreline of Bar Harbor.
Which island has the highest puffin population in Maine?
Check out the puffin loafing ledge and the exterior view of the puffin burrow for other seabird activity. Another option for viewing Maine’s puffin colony is the Hardy Boat Cruises Puffin Tour near Bristol, Maine. Most people know the state of Maine for its nautical traditions, breathtaking natural wonders, and fresh seafood. There are, however, plenty of hidden secrets to discover when visiting this special region!
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.
Don’t worry; all lobster claws will have rubber bands attached so everyone’s fingers will stay safe! Our tours are very kid-friendly, and we welcome young curious minds on board. The cruise is narrated by the National Audubon’s Project Puffin so you get the history of puffins and the Eastern Egg Rock restoration directly from people involved with the project.
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.
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.
Other species you may see are Razorbills, Arctic Terns, Roseate Terns, Common Terns, Guillemots, Cormorants, Bald Eagles, Eiders, and a variety of gulls. There is also opportunity to see both Harbor and Gray Seals. Enjoy a taste of Maine with a culinary walking tour where you will experience a combination of uniquely Maine food samples from local businesses and local history and facts. The tour circles the village green and provides some great views of the harbor. Next we continued on with Bar Harbor’s Puffin and Lighthouses Cruise as we passed by the Schoodic Peninsula which gave us gorgeous views of the Acadia National Park shoreline. The island is home to a nesting colony of Atlantic Puffins.
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.
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.
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