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Bold Coast Charter Company

5.0 (8 reviews)

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puffins
Maureen H.

Not a zoo per se, but a boat ride to enjoy sea wildlife. Captain Andrew Patterson charters Puffin Cruises out of Cutler Harbor to Machias Seal Island off the coast of Maine. I can't emphasize how magnificent this experience was. It took about 6 hours to drive up to Cutler, so we stayed at Riverside Inn in East Machias and drove the 20 mins. to Culter Harbor next morning. A gorgeous, pristine fishing village. The weather has to cooperate to make a landing on Machias Seal Island, where after arriving via the Barbara Frost, a row boat is taken to a makeshift walkway onto the island that has a lighthouse staffed by friendly Canadians. There's a bit of a friendly dispute about who owns the island. After a bit of a wait for other tours to finish, they only let so many people on what is actually a bird sanctuary, you hurry into bird blinds and for the next half hour I think I must have said "I can't friggin believe this!!" about a million times. We saw Murres, Guillemots, Eiders, Gannets, Shearwaters and Storm-Petrels and thousands of Puffins. They were a foot away in scores, landing on the blinds...it was just unbelievable. So worth the charter cost of $60 or so dollars, can't remember exactly what it was. It was a real privilege. Captain Patterson is a very knowledgeable naturalist that will talk a tin ear off a brass monkey if you so desire. It was just a great adventure. Weather permitting! That's the chance you take. I spoke with one couple who had gone all the way up the year before and the water was too choppy to land. So they'd come back and this time we landed. Really good stuff.

Andy bringing the tender back to the mother ship!
John B.

This should be on your bucket list!!!! This tour is the only one that will land you on a Atlantic Puffin nesting island. The puffins are an incredible sea bird. Over 4000 on the 18 acre island during nesting season. My wife and I took this yesterday. Andy Patterson is a delight to tour with. He knows the water and wildlife well. We saw many different sea birds, lots of seals and dolphins on the ride out to the island. When you get on the island, you spend time in a observation blind that is literally covered with puffins. They are right there and don't mind the distraction of having humans taking their pictures. It is an amazing experience. We had very good weather. Andy will tell you that if the seas and weather are not favorable you will not get to land on the island. The shore to boat and boat to shore transfers involve climbing in and out of small tenders. I have a set of pictures on flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/101206323@N08/

Puffin taken by cell phone on island tour. Amazing!!!

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2 years ago

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5 years ago

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2 years ago

Great tour. They are very versed in the area. Captain Ralph makes sure you see everything there is to offer in the bay.

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19 years ago

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12 years ago

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4 years ago

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12 years ago

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7 years ago

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Robertson Sea Tours - Petit Manan lighthouse (the second tallest in Maine), where the puffins had gathered, and first mate Mack.

Robertson Sea Tours

4.9(19 reviews)
51.9 km

This'll be odd, but we never got to cruise with Robertson because the fog rolled in, but rarely am…read moreI so impressed with how a company reacts when things go wrong, I'm willing to rate them solely on that! I had signed up for the puffin cruise for a Tuesday and, in the process, apparently put my phone number in wrong. So since we weren't contacted, we headed for the meet-up point despite the thick fog. We were met by Jamie, I believe, who told us they weren't sailing because of the fog; keep in mind he had to actually come meet us because of the phone number issue. He offered us a Saturday sail and to keep us on standby for other sails for the week, but also was very honest in stating that there were no puffins because they had migrated the week before, so he also offered to refund us (the other tours I looked at only offer a credit, which doesn't work when you rarely go to Maine). In the end, Saturday was a washout, too, because of the weather, so we never got to go out, but the refund was again offered and made and when and if we get back to Maine, we'll be booking with Robertson. The level of communication and honesty is top notch, and that's the kind of business I'm always happy to support.

We went with a couple friends of ours and one other couple. Plenty of room in the boat with…read morecomfortable deck chairs. Close to three hours on the water with our Captain and his trusty four-legged first mate, Mack. It was a beautiful day. We saw puffins and seals, osprey and an eagle and other seabirds. Captain was very friendly and knew the bay very well. We all had a great time.

Photos
Robertson Sea Tours - Puffins near Petit Manan light

Puffins near Petit Manan light

Robertson Sea Tours - Seals relaxing in the sun.

Seals relaxing in the sun.

Robertson Sea Tours - Puffin

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Puffin

Lobster Boat Tours - Catch Your Dinner - All aboard

Lobster Boat Tours - Catch Your Dinner

5.0(13 reviews)
65.3 km

This was such a fun experience. You actually get to help pull up lobster pots out in the bay. The…read morefather and daughter duo explain the whole process and teach you how to put the rubber bands on the claws. They point out different wild life and the views are gorgeous. The boat ride is not artificially extended for the sake of "getting your money's worth". It was the perfect length to get the experience of what it's like to lobster. The food cart and having your lobster cooked up fresh at the pier was incredible and such a lovely family run business. This is a great way to support the industry when hauls have been declining over the years to due to ocean warming. Definitely worth the drive to come experience this tour!!

You love lobster? You like wholesome? Don't sleep on this experience with Captain Dan, family and…read morefriends. I was in it for the hope of seeing puffins but not wanting to be on a huge tour boat. I chose this one also because it would give us the chance to "be a fisherman" and learn more about the process, industry of lobstering. Wait, I kid myself, it was totally about the FRESH lobster we'd get to enjoy at the wharf upon our return. This experience was the perfect 1.5 hr duration for us kicking off at 2:30pm. We had the most beautiful weather that still required layers for the chill in the air and splash of the boat ride. Speaking of boat ride, we took low drowsy Dramamine as a safeguard ahead of the trip, not sure if we really needed it or not because the boat was so smooth and steady even when stopped. Either way, a good precaution knowing how easily triggered we are getting by motion lately. Anyway, the last week of July we were SPOILED with perfect blue skies, a ton of seals, a ton of puffins and an amazingly sweet fresh lobster meal following the ride.

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Lobster Boat Tours - Catch Your Dinner
Lobster Boat Tours - Catch Your Dinner - Lunch but only if not too large or too small

Lunch but only if not too large or too small

Lobster Boat Tours - Catch Your Dinner - Taylor teaching

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Taylor teaching

Sea Watch Tours

Sea Watch Tours

5.0(2 reviews)
34.4 km

Fabulous day out on the water... Although we took the whale watching tour a little bit early in…read morethe season, there was plenty to see. I imagine this ride would have been amazing for a birder - but I just found it really cool to see puffins floating on the water, and different birds soaring above - with the first mate naming each as they passed. For the whales... well, it took a little bit of time to find them, but once the captain and mate did - the experience was breathtaking. I've been on whale watches before - out of Boston, Gloucester, and P-town - but I don't remember feeling this close to the majestic creatures. A humpback calf entertained us (it really seemed to want to show off!!) with breaches and jumps and swimming under the boat. I'm no marine biologist, but this outfit really seemed to respect the whales' space too. Engines off when we were close... instructions to softly cross the boat when needed as stomping will scare them... and if there were other boats coming in to the space (rare) - this boat kept a distance, and/or departed for another spot. First mate Durlan (? sorry, bad with names) was very knowledgeable about the whales and the birds and took great pics. Had nothing but respect for the captain - he seemed perfect for the job. I happened to be able to spend some time with another employee of the outfit - just along for the ride and to take some camera shots. Jenn works part time in the office, but was a great ambassador for the tours. I learned tons about the birds and whales... and Grand Manan. Whether in awe (and yes, crying) at the actions of these noble creatures, or listening intently to the birding banter between other passengers.... to say that it was an enjoyable outing would certainly be an understatement.

Peter and Durlan are super professional and awesome tour guides. You won't be disappointed. I…read morehighly recommend their services when visiting Grand Manan Island

Photos
Sea Watch Tours - Calf breaching

Calf breaching

Sea Watch Tours - Peter and his crew were awesome. Very professional and knowledgeable. Highly recommend their services.

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Peter and his crew were awesome. Very professional and knowledgeable. Highly recommend their services.

Acadian Boat Tours - One of the lighthouses

Acadian Boat Tours

4.4(125 reviews)
83.6 km

When in Bar Harbor, I definitely wanted to do a cruise around the shorelines of Bar Harbor and see…read moreFrenchman Bay, maybe see sea creatures, lighthouses, famous mansions. Well you do see this and more when you go on a nature cruise with Acadian Boat Tours. They have other tours as well like a Puffin or whale watch. We did want to do the Puffin tour but it was filled. I am so glad I got to go in this one. You need a camera, to take lots of pictures.They have drinks and snacks on the boat to purchase. It's clean, you get a narrated tour by professionals. You learn so much you can't come to Bar Harbor and not do it. Highly recommend!

My wife and I went on a private fishing charter with captain Kelly. We had an amazing trip. On the…read moreway to the fishing hole we saw seals which was very cool. Once we arrived at the spot we dropped the lines. The second the baits hit the bottom we had fish on . We caught a variety of fish. Cod, mackerel, pollack , and something she called a Conner. She also said that fish was her family's favorite because it tastes like crab. The other weird catch was a squid.Captain Kelly was a great guide. She was full of so much information about the fish in the area. We so enjoyed her company that it made the trip seem like fishing with an old friend. The scenery was awesome as we fished near some sea cliffs . I will gladly take another trip with Kelly the next time we are in Bar harbor.

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Acadian Boat Tours - Harbor seals basking on a rock

Harbor seals basking on a rock

Acadian Boat Tours - Our ship

Our ship

Acadian Boat Tours - Egg Rock Island lighthouse!

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Egg Rock Island lighthouse!

Island Cruises - Our 10 year old and one of the big cod he caught

Island Cruises

4.9(83 reviews)
99.9 km

The process to book the trip was easy online. Check In was just as simple. They offer on site…read moreparking which was helpful. The dock is a long walk so just a heads up if you have mobility issues. But you can get there. Plenty of seating in board, but it will be full so you might be seating next to a new friend. Does not matter which side to sit because the captain will spin the boat around for both sides to see each site. The entire trip was educational and picturesque. The captain has lots of stories and knowledge of the area. Very engaging. The back speaker was a bit crackling so missed a few tidbits plus the motor in back can be challenging. So prepare ahead to where you should sit. There is shade and sun. Great views of island life, birds, seals and even jellyfish. Saw a couple eagles and porpoises. So cool. They also pull a lobster trap and share the rules and regulations on lobstering. Great for kids. It's a solid two hour excursion and no on board facilities so prepare. Sure it's a bit touristy but I learned a lot about the lobster industry and salmon farming as well as island life. I would do it again and bring friends.

Hands down this was the highlight of our week vacation in MDI. The nature and lobstering tour was…read morefantastic!! We learned so much and got to see so many animals! We would recommend this tour to anyone and everyone! Some things that helped us enjoy our adventure: Definitely arrive 30 minutes before your tour starts to get a shady spot. And don't forget your raincoat or sweatshirt, it gets cold, windy out further in the bay and splashy on the sides , I wish I had brought a beanie along as well. Super glad I brought polarized sunglasses. Thank you! Can't wait to come back!

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Island Cruises - Informative narrative

Informative narrative

Island Cruises - Eli will tell you about it on the cruise!

Eli will tell you about it on the cruise!

Island Cruises - Seals

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Seals

Island Cruises Whale Watching - Whale Tail

Island Cruises Whale Watching

4.7(3 reviews)
35.0 km

Booked this company for a whale watching tour. We went out for almost three hours and ended up…read moreseeing the endangered Right whale. They were pretty far away so it was hard to see but I enjoyed being out on the boat. The cruise had about 13 people and the tour guides were informative. I wish they had given more of an actual tour and more information about the islands. They went around and spoke to people individually maybe they could have a speaker system. The tour cost about $50 and was well worth the money.

I recently took another whalewatching trip aboard the Mister Matthew boat with Mackie and Robert at…read morethe helm. It was late August and sadly, this year, there haven't been many finbacks in the Fundy waters, but we were game to go out and search for whatever we could find. It was a perfect "Campobello" day - mid 70s, sunny and a cool ocean breeze. The boat was packed to the gills - but even with the 20 or so patrons, everyone had a place to sit and a great view of the ocean. We managed to spot two minke whales, a ton (probably 50+) of porpoise, a bald eagle which we even saw dive and catch a fish out of the sea, plenty of seals and other marine birds. Robert was chipper as ever, talking about all the wildlife and animals surrounding the boat, and Mackie was intent on finding us some whales. We ended up going up the channel between Eastport, ME and Deer Island in order to find them which meant going through Old Sow (the largest tidal whirlpool in the western hemisphere) and finding two! I highly recommend going on a whale watch with Island Cruises. For 2.5 hours of pure enjoyment and ocean views, even if you aren't lucky enough to see a ton of whales there is so much to enjoy. Plus, Mackie and Robert are part of the Campobello Whale Rescue team - helping to save over 20 whales (and likely countless other marine mammals) entangled in fisherman nets or otherwise injured. Why not support a team who is so committed to helping preserve and protect their surrounding waters?

Photos
Island Cruises Whale Watching - The picturesque Head Harbor Lighthouse

The picturesque Head Harbor Lighthouse

Island Cruises Whale Watching - View from the boat

View from the boat

Island Cruises Whale Watching - More porpoise near the boat

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More porpoise near the boat

Bold Coast Charter Company - boattours - Updated October 2026

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