We took Balmy Day Cruises out of Boothbay to Monhegan Island, and it was an absolutely lovely…read moreexperience. We ordered both our outbound and return tickets online ($23 per person per leg of the trip, so for two people - after fees - it was close to $100), showed up to collect them at about 9:15, and got in the queue (I'd strongly recommend showing up even earlier than we did: the best seats are on the top of the boat, and they fill up very quickly). The whole process was super easy! The boat is for passengers only, departing Pier 8 at 9:30am and arriving back around 4:15/4:30pm. The boat ride is about 1 1/2 hours each way. At 2pm they offer a trip around Monhegan Island (it's $5 per person, cash only) that offers spectacular views of the entire circumference of the island; it's narrated with local history and nature facts (actually most of the boat ride to and from is), and when we went the captain also brought us over to Duck Rocks to see dozens and dozens of seals sunbathing. We also saw harbor porpoises on the ride back to the mainland! There are beverages available for sale (including adult options); there are bathrooms on board, as well. The staff is friendly, incredibly safety focused, and very quick to help when there's a sick passenger (after all, you're in the open ocean of the Gulf of Maine). I didn't know what to expect, but was impressed and satisfied with the entire experience. We're already looking forward to our next trip to Monhegan which we'll do through Balmy Day (who also offer harbor tours, private charters, sailing trips, mackerel fishing, and Burnt Island Lighthouse tours... something we're also interested in now too!). What an incredible way to explore coastal Maine from the convenience of Boothbay!

Great Captain honest day. The cocaptain was training a new hire. They were very emphatic on making…read moresure we were back well in time not to miss the trip. The water was safe safe and smooth. Entertaining dialogue from the captain throughout the cruise. It was a absolutely fun and rewarding day on the island.

What a great experience! I am so glad that my wife booked this trip for us. It was such a great…read moretime. The captain was great as was her first mate. She did a fantastic job sailing, having good conversation, and keeping things fun. She also knew a lot about sailboats in general and explained the differences in the other sailboats we passed. Lots of safety aboard and they do a great job having the visitors help with the needs of the boat. It was absolutely gorgeous that day and we could not have had better conditions to sail. Wind was good. Water was good. Times were good! We got to see a bunch of lighthouses and many wildlife too. All in all, a good way to spend a day on the water. They do sell booze if you want a drink. You only live once, do the things!! I would do it again in a heartbeat!! '26 - 32

We went on a sunset cruise on the Applejack with Luke and Christy. They were both very personable…read moreand made our trip very enjoyable. We learned a lot about the bay and the ship. The boat and crew made sure everyone was safe and they took care of the needs of all of us. The cruise was very relaxing and peaceful. Highly recommend this experience.

It's nice that they have a puffin and whale watching combo cruise. Being short on time, it was nice…read moreto have the opportunity to do both in one half day. We had a naturalist/animal guide who was knowledgeable and very attentive at identifying birds. There were a decent number of puffins, though they didn't really get close enough to make out the finer details by naked eye, but there are binoculars for rent (not sure how helpful they are because I had my own camera). We unfortunately didn't see any whales, but we were each given a standby ticket for a future cruise. The instructions in the email confirmation weren't completely accurate -- it instructed to go to a different pier where the cruise was actually going to be. Thankfully, I was able to reach staff over the phone and clarify this quickly. Definitely dress in layers, because once the boat starts powering out of the bay, the wind chills the temperature down a good 20 degrees. They did have blankets available but I'm not sure if they're an additional cost. The inside of the boat is nice and toasty, but the views aren't as crisp. I'd heard parking was rough, but if you go before June 1, I noticed some lots nearby were free, and there is free 4 hour parking a short 6 minute walk away that is just long enough for the cruise.

Experience: The captain and the crew were very friendly! The crew helped people take pictures and…read morehelped elder folks into their seats. Plenty of deck seating. There are some indoor seating inside this boat for those rainy and cold days! I loved the lobsterman demonstration (catch and release)! It was so educational to learn about Maine's economy and how traditional ways of lobster trapping worked (manual rope and pull technique). We had a great time exploring the harbor on boat and learning about the history of Maine. Parking: Once you get closer to the wharf (where the boat and the business stand is located) it is harder to find a parking spot. Especially in the parking lot where the business is located. We decided to park a few blocks west of the wharf. There was free 3-4 hour parking and it was a good 5 minutes of walking! Bathrooms: There were public bathrooms located at the entrance of the wharf, between the business stand and the main street.

This truly is an amazing adventure, don't hesitate. BOOK THE EXCURSION!…read more ** Cash or check only! I've been vacationing in Northern Maine for 37 years, and we just recently started venturing out to Southern Maine. I came across Cabbage Island Clam Bake via social media late last year. I finally made a point to visit this year. Booking online was very easy. I booked our trip back in December. No payment needed. You pay upon arrival on the day of your trip. Book in advance if possible. They will fill up fast. They cater to special events as well, so reachout if you need to book something. There are a few things to choose from for meals, even for children, incase lobster is not your thing, or maybe you simply are lobstered out and want to have an experience. Communication was fantastic as the date grew closer. We received email confirmation back in December, but June into July it ramped up with maybe an email here or a text to confirm 1-3 times. We did change one of our meals from the chicken to lobster with a simple phone call a few weeks in advance. They were very accommodating and pleasant. We received email confirmation when that was complete. Their website is filled with lots of information. I also watched a few videos via social media to get a feel for what to expect. The day came for our CICB! We went on 7/5/25, afternoon excursion. We arrived a little before 11:30am, checked in and paid an estimated $97 per person. Price will vary. The website has that broken down for you. We waited behind the ticket booth in the shade. When boarding came we were one of the last to board. Once onboard the Benie Alice we were greeted by many of the crew. You could opt to pay for some drinks on board. Bring a sweater, even if it's hot outside Maine summers can be on the cooler side. The bottom level was cold for many as windows were open, and the water air was filling in. The upper deck was warmer, but the seating is limited to about 99 passengers. The front of the boat outside definitely is cold due to the air coming at you when it is moving. The back of the boat is the warmest and most comfortable I found for myself. When we arrived we found seating at an outdoor picnic table in the Hideaway section. It was so nice and secluded! Good to restore any sensory overload we all had. There are many picnic tables around, an indoor seating area, restrooms, bar, kitchen, and small gift shop. Once we were seated our waiter Will came and introduced himself. He also took our drink order. Tea(hot or iced), coffee, and water are apart of your meal. There are sodas and mixed drinks for sale paid via cash. Will brought out the fish chowder. It was FANTASTIC! So good. I added a little salt and pepper, others kept it the way it came. I ventured to check out the lobster being cooked along with all the other fixings. It honestly was so fascinating watching all the hard work that was going into preparing the food. They clearly have this all down to a science and work like a well oiled machine. So many of staff/family took time to chat with guests. Everyone was so nice! A bell went off and we headed to get our food. The line moved pretty quick. On a tray we had 2 lobsters, clams, a potato, melted butter, an onion corn on the cob and an egg. Everyone was superb! We finished with coffee and their famous blueberry cake. The cake was moist, houses many blueberries and had a small crunch on the top. It was a decent size piece as well! This entire experience was wonderful! It's in my list to return if I'm in the area! I'll be recommending it so many! TIP THE STAFF. Jars are on the picnic table. THANK YOU MOORE FAMILY and CREW! You all did an amazing job from day one! Can I be adopted... hehe. Have a wonderful rest of the season.

What an amazing experience! Highly highly recommend and would come back again!…read more This is a family run business operating for 37 years. This is not just a meal, it's an excursion with a boat tour. The clam bake is on a private island owned by the family. Family members walk around and greet you on the island. Betty is one of the sisters. She is 73. Her son cooks lobsters. A nephew was collecting tickets. Some are servers. The pride and love shows. I walked over to see the area where the lobsters and clams were steaming and someone was explaining the process to one of the customers. We were blessed with beautiful weather, so to be fair I think it would not be as enjoyable if it was too hot, cold or rainy. Don't miss out on this epic experience.

We booked this lobster boating tour months ago for my father's 70th birthday trip -- the main…read moreactivity he was excited about and something we were all looking forward to. We even confirmed the reservation just yesterday. We're staying at Spruce Point Inn and literally saw the boat leave this morning -- with a different group. We were told it was due to a new scheduling system, and that the other group's trip had been canceled the day before. But it's incredibly frustrating and hard to accept that our private charter, which had been booked far in advance, was the one that got bumped last minute. There was no meaningful apology. Just an offer to rebook us for tomorrow (when the weather looks terrible) or refund us. No real effort to make things right. This was supposed to be a highlight of our trip -- instead, it left us scrambling and disappointed on a very important and personal day. Totally unacceptable. I would not recommend trusting this company with your plans, especially if you're celebrating something meaningful.

A phenomenal experience. Learned a ton about old school lobstering in Maine and saw Boothbay from a…read morenew vantage point. Best thing we did all week and well worth the price. Highly recommended

This friendship sloop is one of the most fun trips out into the harbor in this small resort town…read more It is a replica of a lobster boat from pre-motorized days. The sailor we used to ride with died this past summer, so we can't speak for the skipper anymore (we are very sad to have lost this wonderful young man!!)!! He was great at giving anyone who asked for it; a ride to remember. He was a gifted sailor who could maneuver that boat between boats and buoys like noone's business! This smallish sailing vessel will give you the taste of sailing in Maine as it traces it's route to the outer harbor and back zigzagging between sailboats and lobsterboats. The sailors will tell you about the lobster business at the turn of the century, so it's an outting AND a history lesson.

We had a wonderful 2 hour cruise with the captain and first mate very helpful and fun. The cruise…read moreis around the harbor and it was just enough time to enjoy the scenery. Wind did pick up so we sailed at 5 knots nicely for awhile. It was also much cooler on the water than on land, so a welcome relief. All the sails went up, and the small size of the schooner was perfect. This is a wonderful way to spend a couple of hours on the water looking at all the shorelines with houses you would not normally see.

To see the…read moresea The Lazy Jack is a 48 foot schooner that holds up to 14 people. Not exactly in comfort but you can find a comfy place on board to see everything that is going on. And a whole lot is usually going on this ship. The Lazy Jack was built in 1947 and is modeled after the great Gloucester fishing schooners of the last century. It was used for years to haul cargo from Massachusetts down to the Bahamas. Now the great ship is doing the work of hauling tourists around Boothbay Harbor. Under the skilled command of Caption Joe and his son Michael, the ship gives two hour tours around the harbor. Lots of great views of the islands, lighthouses and if you are lucky you might even see a seal, osprey or bald eagle. The two hour tour costs only 32 bucks for an adult and is an very cool experience. Capt Joe just doesn't prattle away the entire trip. He will point out various things of interest and answer all questions but he leaves enough quiet so the passengers can enjoy the sound of the ocean and wind. Unfortunately we didn't have a whole lot of wind so it wasn't as exciting as I hoped but it still was wonderful trip. Just so much to see and learn, the two hours went by so fast. You can bring you own booze and junk food on board and even take a turn at the wheel if you desire. These old schooners take a lot more sail management than the more modern sloops or catboats and just watching Michael and Joe constantly adjusting the sails was quite entertaining and educating. The tour runs from Memorial Day to the end of October and can also be chartered for all day excursions. A fantastic way to spend a couple of hours on the water and easily worth the 32 bucks. We returned all wind blown, a bit wet and a little sore but very, very happy.

Had a great Sushi cruise with Captain Jordan Caron tonight I highly recommend getting a reservation…read morefor one of these cruises lots of options not just all fishing!!

From the owner: We are a private fishing charter company located in Boothbay Harbor. We offer some of the best…read morefishing action around! We have the most comfortable charter boat in the boothbay harbor region and we know how to catch fish and have a lot of fun, giving you the best experience we can.

I chartered a San Juan 21 from Tim for a week and had a delightful experience from start to finish…read more Tim is knowledgeable and helpful - I would recommend West Harbor Recreation for a charter of any duration. I hope to return again soon. Sailing in Booth Bay and Linekin Bay is most beautiful and relaxing. As one of my family members said "sailing here restores my soul".

Highly recommend! Reservations were easy, boat was great, price is more than fair. The owners are…read moregreat and very down to earth, very helpful with giving advice as to where to go for the most enjoyment. Very happy with the day these people made possible, thank you!