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.

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.

We got rained out in Bar Harbor for our whale watching so we booked one here. The boat was nice…read moreand we were able to sit on the top deck. We only saw one whale, but also saw a sunfish, seals and dolphins. I would have loved to see more after being spoiled in South Africa with lots of whales, but it's always fun to go out on the boat. The captain did a good job, and the naturalist had lots of info.

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.

I had such a great time on the Wind's Will with Captain Stanley! It was my first time sailing and…read moreit couldnt have been better! We went on a sunset sail over to squirrel island. Captain Stanley made my entire group feel comfortable and welcome. Id definitely reccomend this to anyoney in the area!

Going sailing with Captain Bob on Wind's Will is a more personalized alternative to the "tourist…read moreboats" out of Boothbay Harbor. If you've never been sailing before, you will get a great introduction, and if you have been sailing before, this is the best way to go to get out on the water in this area. Guests can do as much or as little as they'd like to contribute to the sailing experience, and Captain Bob's stories will keep everyone entertained. Recommend bringing your own sunscreen and snacks (especially if you have food allergies); water is provided.

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!

What a fabulous fun experience sailing out of Rockport, ME on The Heron. It was the highlight of…read moreour trip. Bonnie did a great job telling us some of the history of the ship and area. Love when the sails are lifted!!! Motor turned off, quiet, smooth ride! So relaxing. It is a beautiful ship. Lots of shinny teak. Delightful with great crew and just a few guests on board. Free parking right by dock. Thank you, Bonnie and Twig for making my sail special. Highly recommend!

One of our favorite things to do when in Rockland is sailing aboard the Schooner Heron. We sailed…read more2x with them in 2020 and the first thing we did when we got back to Rockland this year was to look at the weather and book a trip with them. I picked an afternoon with an expected 14mph wind, so I knew we would sail smartly. I was surprised that Taylor was captaining the boat this trip instead of Twig, but his boat handling was conservative and flawless. Of coarse Bonnie was aboard to do her excellent narration regarding the history of Rockland's lime, timber, ice, shipbuilding and lobster industries and also tell us all about the lighthouse, islands, and seals we saw. Twig and Bonnie's personable adult daughter Rachel was also on board as crew. Bonnie and Rachel handled hoisting, trimming, reefing and tacking the sails as a well-oiled team. We started out conservatively with the fore mast and main mast sails both reefed, but were later able to shake out the reef on the fore mast sail for a little more speed without heeling the boat. We were able to sail near Robinson's Rock and saw that there were several seals sunning them selves there. We sailed midweek on a Thursday and there was lots of room for everybody on board. Taylor and Rachel cheerfully answered my many questions about the boat, the boat's offshore passages to and from the Caribbean each year and about local events. This was the first time sailing for the family seated across from us, but they had a good time. There was another group forward of us that pretty much kept to themselves so I didn't have a chance to chat with them, but they seemed to be enjoying themselves too. I did a bunch of small boat pleasure sailing and medium sized keelboat racing while I was at the University of Texas. I don't own a sailboat so the only sailing I have done since has been on Hobie Wave catamarans at all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean. I really enjoy chances to sail on bigger boats like the Schooner Heron. The Schooner Heron sails three trips daily from Rockport Harbor: Private morning sail, an afternoon Educational Eco Tour, and a Happy Hour Sunset Sail. Custom charters are also available on request. There is free parking in the harbor lot. Whether you have sailed before or just want to try it on vacation, I highly recommend sailing on the Schooner Heron as a solo, couple or family activity. You will have fun and be entirely comfortable with the ship and crew. They will treat you right. We're back in Rockland in a couple of weeks and will surely sail with them at least once more before heading back to Texas.