A lot of the boat tours you’ll find when you’re visiting Maine in summer are in Portland or Bar Harbor, but there are some great options as you travel through MidCoast, and Cap’n Fish’s out of Boothbay Harbor is a great pick. With a larger boat meant to make journeys out on the sea more smooth, whale watching with Cap’n Fish’s is a really fun activity to add to your trip. If you’re planning on visiting the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, it’s not much further into Boothbay Harbor where you can set off on your whale watching adventure.
Have you gotten to do the rather epic boat tour with Cap’n Fish’s? When it comes to whale watching in MidCoast Maine this is our top pick, and just read on to see why. If you have any questions about going out with Cap’n Fish’s or visiting Boothbay Harbor, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help others put together a great trip to Maine.
Highlights of Cap’n Fish’s Whale Watching from Boothbay Harbor
Cap’n Fish’s whale watching tour is more than whale watching. MidCoast Maine is really beautiful and wherever you’re having time on the water, there is always something to see. When you leave from Boothbay Harbor you’ll actually get to see quite a few lighthouses on your adventure. Just leaving the harbor there are three lighthouses to see: the Burnt Island Lighthouse, Cuckolds Light and the Ram Island Lighthouse.
Continuing on into the open water, Penobscot Bay is an amazing place for whale watching in the summer. The waters are so full of krill and plankton that all kinds of whale species come here. We had one trip where we were able to see minke, gray, humpback, and fin whales as well as porpoises all in the same afternoon. That’s an amazing spread! Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska is the only other place I’ve seen so many whales in one day.
One other highlight to being on the water with Cap’n Fish’s for whale watching from Boothbay Harbor is that if you’re on the longer wildlife watching tour you also get to make your way up to Egg Rock to see the Puffins! I love puffins, and Atlantic puffins are really beautiful and cute. There are lots of other types of seabirds to see as well, including gannets, bald eagles and guillemots. It’s a great wildlife safari boat tour.
TIP: if you go whale watching with Cap’n Fish’s Cruises and DON’T see a whale, they do have a guarantee so you’ll be able to go out on another boat if you like. Wildlife is indeed wild, but it is extremely likely that you’ll get to see whales.
Tips for Whale Watching from Boothbay Harbor
Any time we plan a boat tour, whether it’s whale watching with Monhegan Boat Lines from Port Clyde or doing a longer trip, say with Cap’n Fish’s from Boothbay Harbor, we’re always well prepared with full tummies, plenty of water and we’re dressed in layers. When you do the whale watching and puffin tour, it’s on a good sized boat, larger than most sightseeing vessels, but if there’s a bit of a swell (waves) or wind it may get a bit rocky. I’m prone to seasickness so I try to manage it from the start. If you’re okay taking an anti-nausea medicine, I find that to be more helpful than motion sickness medication, just because it doesn’t knock me out. I want to be awake to enjoy the boat tour and see puffins and whales.
While it doesn’t make a huge difference on a relatively calm day, being near the back and in the fresh air is another way to manage motion sickness if you’re very sensitive to it. While you’re in an active whale watching moment, you’ll want to be in the front or side areas to be able to see what the captain is pointing out, but while you’re moving, be at the back for fewer motion issues.
Wildlife in Maine is beautiful… and fleeting. When you’re in the open water on your Cap’n Fish’s whale watching tour, keep your eyes peeled and your ears alert to be able to see the whales and other wildlife as you go. The crew will announce any wildlife that they see, but if it’s a whale it may dive down and not resurface while you’re in the area. With the puffins, the captain keeps the boat circling Egg Rock for a while so there are lots of opportunities to see the puffins. You have to pay attention though and keep alert because sometimes they fly and I’ll tell you, they fly fast!
Being Prepared for Maine Whale Watching
Dress for the weather you see and be prepared for the weather you don’t. While Maine in the summer is often beautiful without surprise storms, the Atlantic Ocean is large and weather systems can move in. Dress in layers, including a raincoat if that’s in the potential forecast. There is an indoor cabin when you’re on the Cap’n Fish’s whale watching tour from Boothbay Harbor, so if the rain rolls in or it’s too windy for you that’s an option to keep the boat tour enjoyable. We’ve been on the water with the rain and on beautiful days, and each experience is fun in its own way.
On sunny days, you’ll definitely need sunblock (applied before you’re on the boat) because the sunlight reflects off the water quite a bit and you’ll feel it after a while. Polarized sunglasses are also great to have with you, particularly if it’s a sunny day and you’re watching the puffins. The reflections can make it difficult to see the birds, and porpoises too if they’re around.
When it comes to camera gear for the Cap’n Fish’s whale watching tour, I would recommend a DSLR or mirrorless with a telephoto lens if you’re into wildlife photography. A camera phone is nice for capturing the beauty of the area and some of the whales you’ll likely see when they’re close, but for good photos of fluking whales or puffins, or even the nautical buildings on the islands, a bigger lens is helpful. Since the boat is moving, a lens bigger than 400mm can be difficult to keep stable, but if you’re lucky and it’s a really calm day you can for sure manage a 600mm lens for photographing the puffins.
Parking for Cap’n Fish’s Whale Watching Tours
Boothbay Harbor is such a cute little town and it’s uniquely laid out. When you’re planning your tour with Cap’n Fish’s, make sure you give yourself time to find parking and walk to the marina. There are several small paid lots and private parking spaces as you drive into town. Depending on how busy things are, it may be worthwhile to take one of these first parking spaces before you’re downtown and curving around the main area and docks. Down on the waterfront, there is a small lot for the most convenient parking at a premium price. Wherever you find your parking, just be sure that you’re following the parking signs and paying the right amount for how long you’re out on your whale watching tour from Boothbay Harbor.
Cap’n Fish’s Tours Operating Information
To complete your planning, here is all the information to plan and book your adventure.
- Operating Dates/Season: daily May – September, 4 hour tour leaves at 1:00 pm usually
- Tour office phone number: 207-613-7339
- Company website: Cap’n Fish’s Cruises
- Tour check-in address: 42 Commercial Street, Boothbay Harbor ME 04538
- Tripadvisor link: Check out Whale Watching and Puffins with Cap’n Fish’s here! **Remember that negative experiences due to weather may be present, but look at the overall rating and photos
Things to Do in MidCoast Maine
There are plenty of things to do in Rockland, Camden, near the Samoset Resort, or wherever you’re staying in MidCoast Maine. Whether you’re looking for outdoor activities, arts and culture experiences, or family-friendly maritime stuff, there are tons of great options for things to do. Here are ten interesting things to do in the area:
- Camden Hills State Park – Located just a short drive from the Samoset Resort, the Camden Hills State Park offers miles of hiking trails, breathtaking views of Penobscot Bay, and opportunities for bird watching and wildlife spotting.
- Take a Sail on a Schooner – Camden is known as the “sailing capital of the world,” and for good reason. Several schooner companies offer scenic sails out of Camden Harbor, giving visitors the chance to experience the beauty of Penobscot Bay from the water.
- Explore the Farnsworth Art Museum – Located in nearby Rockland, the Farnsworth Art Museum is home to an impressive collection of American art, including works by Andrew Wyeth, Winslow Homer, and Georgia O’Keeffe.
- Visit the Maine Lighthouse Museum – Located in Rockland, the Maine Lighthouse Museum is dedicated to the history of lighthouses and their keepers in Maine. The museum features exhibits, artifacts, and even a working Fresnel lens.
- Go Whale or Puffin Watching – Going out of Camden or Port Clyde, several companies offer whale watching tours, giving visitors the chance to see humpback, finback, and minke whales, as well as dolphins and porpoises, in their natural habitat. I love Monhegan Boat Line from Port Clyde.
- Visit the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens – Located about 45 minutes from the Samoset Resort, the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens features over 300 acres of gardens, woodland trails, and waterfalls. The gardens are open year-round and offer special events and activities throughout the year.
- Visit a Lighthouse – There are so many lighthouses in Maine, and you’re spoiled for choice here in MidCoast Maine. From the Rockland Breakwater Light to Marshal Point, Pemequid or the Squirrel Point Light, you can visit so many different, truly unique lighthouses.
- Visit the Owls Head Transportation Museum – Located just a few miles from the Samoset Resort, the Owls Head Transportation Museum is home to an impressive collection of antique cars, planes, motorcycles, and other vehicles. The museum also hosts several special events throughout the year.
Where to Stay in MidCoast Maine
Of course we love getting to stay places like the Samoset Resort or 250 Main Hotel, but there are lots more options. Depending on how far out you are able to book your visit to MidCoast Maine you may become limited in finding both the right type of accommodations AND something within your budget. Here are some good picks for places to consider in the Rockland / general MidCoast area:
- The Ledges
- Craignair Inn by the Sea
- Rockland Harbor Hotel
- Drift Oceanside Inn
- Strawberry Hill Seaside Inn
- Camden Harbor Inn
- Camden Maine Stay Inn
Each of these recommendations is good for couples or families. Inquire with each if you’re traveling with a pet or have specific hotel needs. Below you’ll find a map with additional options for finding a stay in MidCoast Maine.
I hope you’ll consider a trip out with Cap’n Fish’s Cruises. Visiting this part of Maine is really special in any season, but especially in summer when there is so much wildlife to see! If you have any additional questions or need some recommendations for something else, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re happy to share more and help YOU have a wonderful trip as you explore Maine!
