Cruise Casco Bay on a Vintage Lobster Boat: Private 2‑Hour Lighthouse Charter from Portland
Difficulty
easy
Duration
2 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for all fitness levels—requires only the ability to step on/off a small boarding ramp and move on deck.
Overview
Leave the crowds behind on a private, two‑hour cruise through Casco Bay aboard a restored wooden lobster boat. Sip a local beer as you pass four historic lighthouses, stone forts and rugged island shores while a local captain narrates the bay’s maritime past.
Cruise Casco Bay on a Vintage Lobster Boat: Private 2‑Hour Lighthouse Charter from Portland
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The salt air hits first—sharp and cold in spring, sweet with seaweed in summer—then the click and creak of a restored wooden hull as M/V MONHEGAN eases away from the Old Port dock. You stand at the rail, a glass of local beer in hand, and the city shrinks into wharves, brick warehouses, and the long sweep of commercial piers. Ahead, the islands of Casco Bay arrange themselves like a chain of small fortresses with lighthouses carving bright punctuation into the horizon.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Arrive early for parking
Plan to arrive 20 minutes before departure and use public lots near the Old Port—parking fills fast on summer weekends.
Layer up and bring a wind shell
Even on sunny days the wind off Casco Bay can be sharp; a windproof outer layer is essential.
Bring seasickness remedies if prone
The harbor is usually sheltered but rolling can occur; take preventative meds or bring acupressure bands.
Tickets and ID ready
Bring your mobile ticket and ID; the charter requires one booking per private group and enforces age checks for alcohol.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Harbor seals sunning on ledges
- Ospreys and bald eagles hunting near island shores
History
Portland’s harbor has been a strategic maritime hub since the early republic; the bay’s forts and lighthouses reflect 19th‑ and 20th‑century coastal defense priorities.
Conservation
Casco Bay’s islands are sensitive to erosion and human impact—stay on designated paths during onshore visits and respect wildlife roosting sites; operators follow no‑trace practices and avoid landing on protected islets.
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Adventure Hotspots in Portland
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Windproof jacket
Blocks the bay’s chill and gusts that intensify on open water.
spring specific
Non‑slip shoes
Provides secure footing on wet wooden decks and ramps.
Small camera or phone with protective case
Captures low light lighthouse portraits and changing seascape conditions.
Motion‑sickness medication or bands
Useful if you’re sensitive to rolling in open or choppy water.