Puffin Watching Cruises in Maine

Hardy Boat Cruises, based in New Harbor on Maine's Pemaquid Peninsula, runs a puffin cruise seven evenings a week between mid-June and early August. The hour and a half tour departs New Harbor for Eastern Egg Rock, where the boat slowly circles the island for 30 minutes. In addition to puffins, passengers have an opportunity to view Maine's largest colony of endangered Roseate Terns, 200 of which nest among more than 2,000 Arctic and Common Terns. Tour participants have also been able to view Black Guillemots, Common Eiders, Laughing Gulls, and many other seabirds, plus Harbor Seals, Minke whales, Northern Gannets and Storm Petrels.

Boothbay Harbor is also a point of departure for puffin cruises. CAP'n FISH's Island Lady leaves mid-morning for a two and a half-hour tour four days a week in July and early August. The tour features Boothbay Harbor sights, including several lighthouses and a seal ledge, before heading to Egg Rock for a thirty-minute tour around the puffin colony. Although we are often able to come quite close to puffins, they are comparatively small birds, standing only ten inches tall, and binoculars are strongly recommended to enhance your overall experience. Puffin watching tours sail rain or shine, so it is important to bring appropriate attire including a sweater or windbreaker and sunscreen. Both puffin cruise lines recommend reservations. For more information about the Hardy Boat Cruise, please contact Hardy Boat Cruises at 1-800-2-PUFFINS. For information on CAP'n FISH's tours, please call R.N. Fish and Son Inc. at 1-800-636-3244.