Acadia by sea nature cruise was exactly what my friends and I were looking for! It ended up being a beautiful day so we decided to buy these tickets the day of. We all wanted to watch a natgeo special or just get some Acadia facts/history and this tour satisfied that need! Our guide, Hugo, did an amazing job. The tour was very informative and important to the history of Acadia. Travel tip: It was super cool to have walked ocean path in the morning, then get an alternate view from the boat soon after! read more

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Being from the Midwest we wanted to have an Oceanside experience and this is one I would recommend to anyone! The company not only has an efficient system as to getting people on the boat, they make very clear instructions on anything you could ask for. Lots of tips and tricks for navigating the boat and what to look for out on the water. The guide was extremely helpful along with the staff. Our particular trip we were able to see tons of whales and dolphins as well. If you're worried about being seasick, not seeing any whales, etc. They have several measures put into place to make any circumstance more than fair. If you end up missing the photos or not a fan of your own, they have other photographers on board with pictures you can access. Thank you Captain Larry and Julie and the rest of the crew. read more

I really appreciated that this company has a guarantee.And they stand behind it.If you do not see a significant number of whales on your watch, they give you a voucher that is good for another whale watch or another excursion , and you have three years to use it. The staff is very, very helpful and friendly and kind.And they work hard to make you comfortable. There are multiple warnings about seasickness,And if you decide when you get to the boat that you are feeling sick or you hear the announcement that the seas are rough , they will give you a refund or a voucher , your choice. The naturalist on board gives significant information and points of interest for all the different wildlife that you see , birds , porpoises , whales , seals , anything that comes up , they know a good amount of information and they relay it over a loudspeaker system. The pap a system could be louder and upgraded , but it is manageable. The cabin of the boat is very comfortable with large, comfortable chairs and tables.There is a deck with a galley where they serve drinks and snacks. They also sell hats and gloves if you're cold and drammine , if you feel sick. The admonition to dress really warm is for real , for real. It was about seventy degrees at the dock , but it was about forty degrees out in the middle of the ocean. We really did need winter gear to be comfortable outside on the deck. We found that as we get cold , we would add another layer and that worked really well. The deck has seating all around and safe rails.So you can stand against the rails , the boat speeds along , so you can get to a whale quickly , and then it slows down to a stop when there is a sighting of any kind of significant wildlife. When I felt sick after a good hour of a bumpy rough sea, which we were warned about , they immediately brought me ginger ale and a seasick bag. Unfortunately , on this trip , we only saw the back of a humpback whale , and then we saw a deceased whale. They took many photos and alerted researchers to come and find it so that it could be determined or studied how it might have passed away. They are very responsible and responsive to the safety and health of the sea life. Upon arriving back at the dock we were immediately emailed vouchers that we can take three years to use. That in and of itself is a guarantee to me that they care about their customers and want their patrons to have a lovely, well watching excursion. read more

Bar Harbor Whale Watch - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Bar Harbor, Maine

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I've wanted to see a whale in the ocean since childhood, and this was absolutely the place to do it! Not only did we see plenty of whales in the whale watch tour, we were also so fortunate as to see one on the Puffins and Lighthouses tour! Saw humpbacks and fin whales, harbor and gray seals, harbor porpoise, puffins, and various other sea birds. Each tour has a naturalist who narrates what you see and educates on conservation practices, and each tour helps further research at the local stations. You can adopt a whale, too! In the ship is a cash only bar with snacks and beverages, even alcoholic ones, and a limited supply of rentable binoculars. Dress warm, it's cold on the water. I had a heated vest and Uggs, and still felt the chill, in July! I won't post too many pictures, save a fluke, the experience is better spent experiencing than trying to set up the perfect shot. read more

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Here are a few tips to get you started. 1. Get there early for parking (in yellow) pic incl. Pay at the meter for 5 hours which is about the length of the Whale watch trip and back, costs $20 bucks. There are other parking areas available. 2. Clothing, Long pants, with long sleeves shirt windbreaker jacket maybe even a hat, Sunglasses. Pack shorts to change into upon return temperatures will be warmer. *Trip out to sea is windy and chilly. Point here is to feel comfortable. 3. You can pack your own lunch and bring a backpack. There is a Galley on board the ship for food purchases. 4. Bring a camera (i brought my Insta 360 5X camera and a 3 foot selfie stick) and Cellphone and be ready to take pictures. *I have Boost Mobile and I did get cell service out there. *All in all be expected to pay a little over $100.00 per person for slightly over 5 hours ride. Two boats can go out at the same time depending on the crowds. Lines will be long and they will take your picture before you board, (A novelty idea by them to get you to buy a photo of yourselves after debarking). We opted out politely. *Note: We went to the top floor which was all seats. Expect to be chilly. Standing by the rails on top minimal room. Downstairs more room but more crowded, an enclosed area, 3 co-ed bathrooms and Galley. *Final thoughts: Having a physical crew member narrative at top on the microphone was actually a good way to pass the time and learn a few things about what we would encounter. We have a whales "Tale" to speak of when we get back home. The Review Guru* Long Island NY read more

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They did a great job. We saw quite a few whales. They really made an effort to make the trip great. Definitely the whale watch to go on. Our second time with them. We go out on quite a few boat trips and they do a great job. read more

Amazing tour, excellent staff!! Our family of 4 went and loved the adventure. Tour operators went out of their way to find whales and other sea life., read more

For my birthday, we joined a whale watching tour in the Gulf of Maine.  We honestly weren't sure what to expect but were blown away by getting to see 3 different types of whales (Humpback, Minke, Finback), with multiples of each type and also two blue sharks. The people that led our tour were knowledgeable and friendly and I also appreciated they had food and drinks onboard for sale (and single serve dramamine). We had a hot dog, their ocean gin drink, and a blueberry harbor ale and couldn't have had a better time. Make sure to get there early as the most in demand seats on top of the boat were full after they let the people waiting in line early on the boat. I'd say we got there 30 minutes earlier than needed and got some of the best seats but there weren't many left. There is a shop with good coffee close so you can have one person hold your spot in line while others do that. Dress warmer than you think you need: we ended up wearing long sleeve shirts and pants with jackets and beanies and it wasn't a rough or especially cold day at sea and closer to 70 degrees on land. . read more

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The trip was exactly as described and so rewarding! Be sure to read the informational emails so you know what to expect and how to prepare. Our original date was cancelled due to weather, but we were easily able to reschedule for the next day. We saw dolphins, whales, and seabirds galore! Hugo narrated the trip, and he was friendly, knowledgeable, and funny. You can tell that he and the crew love what they do and want you to have a great experience. Highly recommend this tour. read more

Spent the July 4th weekend in Bar Harbor and we booked this company for the whale watching as well as for the fireworks on the water. I will start by saying that the staff is absolutely wonderful! Super attentive and polite and was constantly checking on all of the riders. The ride was long but we went to two locations before we finally got a glimpse of one humpback whale- Anthur. The captain did his best to get us as close to the whale as possible without disrupting it and also tried to make sure both sides of the boat got ample time to view. The narrator on the boat had a ton of information to provide which was really cool. It wasn't just about whales, we learned about other sea life and productivity and sustainability as well as about the harbor and Acadia park. It was an experience for sure. I do tend to get a little motion sickness which thankfully I was spared on this trip- but unfortunately it seemed like it was happening all around us where people were just losing it. The staff was quick to react and accommodate those riders with bags, drinks and food. Prepare for the cold because even though it was 80 degrees on land, it was extremely windy and freezing out of the water. They do provide hot chocolate and coffee and snacks on board for purchase, you can also bring food on board as well. We went back out again in the evening for the fireworks- they do a trip out towards the lighthouse and the porcupine islands and again provide lots of information about the islands, sea life, and about the earlier settlers. That part was great- the fireworks (out of their control) was eh. Everyone said Bar Harbor has some of the best fireworks and unfortunately they were super underwhelming. Would I do it again..... probably not, but it was an experience that we enjoyed and have stories to tell. read more

Bar Harbor Whale Watch - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Bar Harbor, Maine

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Scheduled a sunset tour just to be informed AFTER reaching the location that it's cancelled. (they didnt formally tell us until after an hour past our reserved time). Rescheduled the next day, reached here on time, just for them to end up leaving as we were parking. Website states that they do not leave until 15-30 minutes after the reserved time. We attempted to check in and they denied us. DO NOT BOOK WITH THEM read more

Amazing experience!!! We did the sunset cruise and it was absolutely beautiful -- I highly recommend it! The views were breathtaking and it was such a memorable family experience. We also did the puffin cruise, which was great. I just wish our whole group wanted to do the whale watch because we heard they saw 7 whales the night we went! Honestly, any cruise you choose is worth it -- the scenery is incredible. Family tip: they have bathrooms on the ship and nausea medicine if needed. Bring hoodies, extra layers, and blankets for the kids because it gets chilly out on the water. We would definitely do another cruise again! read more

This was a wonderful boat and enthusiastic Naturalist guide~ Courtney. If you get there before 8am, (it won't let you reserve at the kiosk before 8am) just scan/ download the parking kiosk to get the app. Know your license number and the Kiosk number. Check-in was quick and efficient. From a former whale watch trip, I recommend no greasy breakfasts or anything with dairy before the trip. You may bring your own food/snacks. If you are prone to motion sickness~ take the Dramamine 1 hr before you set sail. Take along Ginger candy or ginger ale for any upset tummies. If you sit anywhere in the exterior, bundle up in layers. It's very windy heading out to the spot and coming back in to port. We were able to secure an inside Main Deck booth and headed around the boat when there was a sighting. Everyone was kind in sharing photo ops. The top is great as our guide sat upstairs (bundle up and wear layers) with the view of the bow or starboard sighting of the whales. We were fortunate to see humpback and fin whales, dolphins, porpoises and variety of birds. The galley is cash only. They also provide emesis bags. Please use them if you feel like vomiting. I was unfortunate to be below a deck from the top and a fluid with blueberry chunks came dripping below. Otherwise, it was a memorable excursion with great sightings. Make sure to have a quick shutter camera with lens to get a great shot of the blowhole, back and tail of the whales. read more

Bar Harbor Whale Watch - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Bar Harbor, Maine

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It's laughable how unorganized and amateur this tour group is. Our whale watching tour was cancelled. We were the second group in line. You would think they would go down the line rebooking or refunding everyone, but instead they let other people walk forward, shoving us out of the way to rebook their tour tickets. They also didn't know what the cost of anything was. We had to do a different tour because we were only in town for the one day and the puffin and lighthouse tour was terrible. Uninteresting. read more

This whale watching excursion was disappointing. The boat was far too large, making it difficult for many passengers to get a good view of the whales. Additionally, it took nearly two hours to reach the whale viewing area. The biggest issue was the speed of the boat in rough waters. On the way out, the captain traveled much too fast, causing severe motion sickness for a large portion of the passengers. I would estimate that about 75% of the people onboard became sick. Once we reached the whale area and the boat slowed down, most people began to feel better. Unfortunately, the return trip was just as bad. The boat again traveled at a high speed through rough seas, causing many passengers to become sick for a second time. While seeing the whales was enjoyable, the overall experience was overshadowed by the uncomfortable and unpleasant boat ride. read more

I took my two kids on the whale watching tour out of Bar Harbor. We signed up for the 8:330 morning tour, and I was a little worried because it was still pretty foggy and the seas were still pretty rough leaving that early. It might've been a little bit smoother of a ride if we would have waited for the afternoon tour. We got there about 45 minutes early and had pre-booked everything online ahead of time. There was already a pretty good line of people. waiting to get on the boat. We had our QR codes on our phone so we didn't need to check in or do anything ahead of time. We are also able to find paid parking in the parking lot right outside the office. It did cost about $25 for the day but that is pretty typical in Bar Harbor to park. Once we boarded the boat, we were able to find some of the last spots outside on the front of the boat. There was plenty of sitting inside, but lots of people were trying to get the outside seats. They also made an announcement that the seas were gonna be pretty rough and if anyone wanted to get off, they would fully refund your ticket which I thought was pretty nice that they made that offer. We decided to stick it out. It was definitely super rough on the way out and we ended up having to go about 50 miles out to try to find some whales. . They also had warned us that it may be a long ride out. My daughter did end up getting seasick along with many other people on the boat. The people working were on top of it and made sure everyone had barf bags and moved all the people who were sick to the back of the boat and kept things very, very clean. I was impressed with how attentive they were. But after searching for quite a bit, we found three humpback whales and we're able to sit and watch them for a good 30 minutes. They made sure to get us as close as possible without being too close to the whales. The fog had cleared up and it ended up being a beautiful day and the ride back was very smooth. Overall, I was very happy with the experience and they delivered on everything That they had promised. read more

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Whole experience was a thrill. The Crew boarding, safety, education all very smooth and good. If you want to be warm bring hats, gloves, face protection wind & mist. Several layers of jackets and waterproof windbreaker. know it's Cold. It was June 23 and out at sea boat going wind fog moisture Be ready. Exciting though, Saw Juvenile Hump Back! Thrilling. Glad we did the trip. read more

This was our second choice for whale watching because we wanted a smaller vessel, but that tour was canceled. In retrospect, this was a great tour. We saw no less than six whales among other fish and wildlife, and the crew was excellent. read more

I was nervous to book, but I'm so glad that I did! We were able to see so many whales! I was surprised! We took some nice photos of their flukes and the narrator even told us many facts about the whales. We were so excited to see pods of common dolphins! Schedule Overall, we started standing in line at 10:15am and I recommend doing that so you can get a nice spot at the top front of the boat. That's where you'll get to spot the most whales since they face directly towards the whales as they look for them. At 11:05am we set off and saw some eagles flying in the sky. At about 1pm, we started to see whales and dolphins. At about 2:30pm we started to head back. I recommend going downstairs to stay warm on the way back. We reached Bar Harbor around 4:45pm. Definitely bring warm layers, beanies, and gloves, it's very windy and cold. We had a sunny day with clear skies in mid-October, but it was still very cold! read more

Bar Harbor Whale Watch - Whale - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Bar Harbor, Maine

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Yesterday was a foggy/rainy day, but they continued with the tour. The check in process was quick and easy. We arrived an hour early which put us first in line and allowed us to pick out our seat. The boat seats were a little dated, but everything was clean. Plenty of emesis bags were available. They had some issues with the microphone, but made sure that everyone was educated on what to expect. Julie the expert was super knowledgeable about the ocean sea life and what to expect. She walked around answering questions. It took an hour to get out to our location. Some on the boat experience sea sickness. Our family cracked the window open and this seemed to help. We were fortunate enough to see Spoon the whale on several occasions without binoculars ( even up close when she popped up out of the water near the boat) . It was an experience of a lifetime for our family!!! We also saw a porpoise, seals, sea birds, and the light house. The trip back was smooth. They do offer a return trip voucher if you are unable to see a whale. We had a great first time whale watching experience. read more

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I was extremely disappointed. Packed in like sardines - object was to get somewhere as fast as possible and then back to pier so they could reload next group. $$$$$ Unable to hear educational feed over PA. Ship moving so fast that wind chill was awful. Since I couldn't run to opposite sides of ship to see what was being spotted I saw nothing. read more

This was the worst experience of my entire stay in Acadia. The whale watching operator canceled four days in a row, even on the last two days when the conditions were good. The most frustrating part was that they always canceled at the very last minute, which made it hard to manage the disappointment for my child. To make matters worse, we later found out that other companies were still going out to sea. My mistake was trusting this operator for four days without checking alternatives. I do not recommend them -- if you truly want to see whales, look for a more reliable company. read more

Went whale watching twice here...1st time here we didn't see any whales except a dead right whale...so we got to come back again within 3 years as part of the guarantee (if no whales were seen on the tour). Also, the guarantee covers inclimate weather as well. We had sunny days both times. We heard whales do come out more during the rain...but rather not be soaked going whale watching. Purchase tickets in advance and show up ahead of boarding time. Make sure to dress warm as it does get very windy and cold out in the sea. They have barf bags for anyone who feels sick. Get ready for the 3 hour tour... j/k :) One can choose to sit upstairs or on the lower level inside (especially if too cold). Restrooms on the lower level. Good educational tour while heading out to sea and back. Saw some seals and puffins along with 2 whales - Daffodil and Gunslinger on our second time. The tour guides stop and give both sides of the boat ample opportunity to take pictures once whales are spotting. They also ask for participation if anyone spots a whale - especially if you see the spout of water... One small boat was very lucky to have both whales come so close to them. Good tour if one has never gone before... read more

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Hugo more like huGOAT. he found 12 whales for us. Also a seal .

A wonderful 2 hour trip out on the water and back. We saw seals, an eagle, other birds, landmarks fishing vessels ect. The staff was wonderful. Ruth did an amazing job speaking. She is certainly a wealth of knowledge. The boat was large and very clean. The bathrooms were immaculate... locked myself in though. Ha! Decently priced as well. I recommend! Tips: Arrive early! Park early! Sit in the cafe area, especially if you are a photographer. You can get from one side of the boat to another to take photos, even go up front. Sitting up high got us no where fast. Bring a sweater or something to keep you warm, weather changes quick out there. Charge those batteries and place your phone on airplane mode to preserve the battery. Bring peppermint oil if yoI get a little sour stomach. I wore my mask the entire time and dabbed a few drops in the inside... game changer! read more

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Went for the afternoon whale watching cruise and we saw several appearances of the same 6 whales! I didn't know what to expect with whale watching, I guess I thought they were going to roll over and jump out of water? Lol. Instead we saw a lot of blowing, backs, and a few tail flips. What it's like: The ride out there was really long, almost 2 hours each way. Part of that is narrated. Bring something to do if you get bored easily. You can sit either outside or inside. If inside you are mandated to wear a mask (as of July 2021). You can open the window though. We sat inside and glad that we did because the views were still great. The ride out there had 2 foot waves which we rode most of the way. It wasn't too bumpy but you could definitely feel them. The way home was completely smooth, no waves at all. The naturalist on board was very informative and interesting to listen to. She provided some information on other animals too. On the way out and back, we didn't see too much other than sun fish, gulls, another type of bird, and there was one puffin and one seal visible from the other side of the boat. What to bring: It's a lot colder on the water than on land, so bring a jacket either way. If sitting outside, bring gloves and a warm hat too (even in summer). You can bring your own food and drink onboard, but there's also drinks and light snacks for sale. There are also bathrooms onboard. Bring binoculars if you want to see animals other than whales, or else you can rent them onboard. I didn't use them at all since the whales were close enough to the boat to see very easily. Overall: Unique opportunity to see whales in their natural environment and learn all about them from people who truly care. read more

Bar Harbor Whale Watch - Whale tail - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Bar Harbor, Maine

What a wonderful experience! Captain Matt found a pair male humpback whales pretty quickly. We were able to spend an hour and a half watching these majestic animals. Our Naturalist, Julie, was great and very knowledgeable Side note: there is always a possibility that the cruise could be canceled due to weather/ water conditions. I would suggest using the ap to pay for 1 hour of parking and then extend the time when you are certain your trip is a go. We had been scheduled to go a different day, and it was canceled and had already put in $24 for parking and there doesn't seem to be a way to get a refund. read more

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We had the perfect weather day. It did get cold once you got out. Out guide Ruth, was so knowledgeable. I love hearing her excitement as she described some of what we saw. Felt a little long after awhile watching the whales but did really enjoy it. read more

Even though we had a very foggy day, this trip was amazing. This company is top notch; thorough; keeps you updated through email; and provides you with all the information you need to make your trip successful. The employees were awesome; one person was nicer than the next. The snacks onboard were fairly priced and fresh. Since it definitely was a foggy day, the captain of the ship stuck with it until we got to see a few whales. Everyone on the boat was thrilled, but because we didn't get to see more whales the company gave the entire boat additional tickets to come again (that were in our email by the time we got back to our hotel). Can you believe it!?! read more

Bar Harbor Whale Watch - You can't miss it - Bar Harbor Whale Watch - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Bar Harbor, Maine

Highlight of our day in bar harbor! We did the nature cruise and it was great. We saw so much wildlife, beautiful views and the naturalist was so insightful and knowledgeable. Really organized, accommodating to disabled people, and even had a beer or two to choose from. Will be back! read more

Bar Harbor Whale Watch - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Bar Harbor, Maine

It's a pretty amazing experience once in a lifetime. It is so beautiful I saw so many whales at least 30 they were popping up everywhere I saw The seats are very comfy to sit on or you can go near the edge of the boat and this is my opinion. It is the best spot read more

What an amazing way to spend the afternoon! Very educational, very entertaining, and super fun to watch these amazing animals in their habitats. Believe them when they say it is cold out there. It was close to 90° when we left shore and I had regrets about only bringing a fleece and a hat, and not a winter jacket on this trip. We had a great time and will definitely go again next time we're in town. read more

The worst trip ever!!!! Freezing inside and outside and we thought that inside has the heater on, NOT! Long trip for nothing. Save your money and avoid going on this trip. We took a whale watching trip in Boston in a little ten people boat and what they do is send ahead of time another small boat to feed the whales. When we arrived all the whales surrounded our boat and we almost touched them. It was an extraordinary experience. So, unless it's a small boat DON'T take the trip. To tge management: turn on the heater. read more

This place is legit. They took us on a LONG tour and we saw so many different whales and sea life. It was honestly incredible. The ship was clean, the staff were very knowledgeable. The only downside is that there were not seats for everyone and the seats on the outside of the ship were a tad small. (Looking at all of my plus size folks, they did have metal armrests that couldn't move.) BUT the seats inside the boat were bigger and padded! I suggest going early and grabbing a few of those seats. And don't forget your sweatshirt! It got chilly. read more

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There should be some disclaimer of sorts for people with abdominal/gyno medical history. The length and rockiness of the boat ride sent my girlfriend to the ER for half of our stay in Acadia. My girlfriend has had ruptured ovarian cysts and the motion sickness from this boat ride ruptured another one of her cysts. It was fun seeing whales in real life, but the length of the boat ride meant we got back to bar harbor when most of the shops and bars were closed. Plan accordingly and definitely reconsider if you have loved ones with gyno/abdominal problems. read more

I took a trip with my family early in June with the Whale Watch Company in Bar Harbor, and it was an amazing experience. We saw five whales, with two of them breaching non-stop and playing in the water. The trip was a bit long, about 3 1/2 to 4 hours, but it was totally worth it. We enjoyed every second on the water. The naturalist was very knowledgeable and shared some really cool information about sea life. The next day, we did a nature cruise and saw a bunch of seals and a couple of eagles. Don't listen to people who complain and say it's not worth it--we loved it. I highly recommend it. read more

Saw many whales!! Excellent experience!! The staff and naturalist were very helpful and knowledgeable. I give them many thumbs read more

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Did an afternoon whale watch. Ride was smooth and fairly scenic with the crew pointing out sights along the way. Saw a number of humpback whales. They came close enough to the boat to get some good videos and pictures. If I ever visit Bar Harbor again I'll go on another whale watch. read more

First time to see a whale and the cruise was so much fun! It was easy to board, a smooth ride, great weather, and we saw 2 lighthouses, several islands, 8 whales, dolphins, a seal and lots of birds. The crew was very attentive, made sure everyone was feeling okay and asked if we needed anything. Our cetologist was very informative and shared lots of fun facts! If you prefer to sit on the back deck or top, you should arrive early. We sat on the front and it was great! You should dress in layers and wear a hat or hood that won't blow off. Highly recommend! read more

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This review is based on first-hand experience. This company offers very pleasant and informative scenic and nature cruises in and around Bar Harbor. The Sunset Happy Hour cruise was great fun. The correct name for this listing should be... Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. Not really much difference, except Yelp almost always gets some detail wrong since they rely on crowd sourced info and usually don't check the facts. read more

Bar Harbor Whale Watch - Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Bar Harbor, Maine