Had a great whale watching boat ride. Was lucky enough to see a humpback whale..it was great despite rain on way back inland. read more

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While on Cap'n Fish's Whale Cruise, we saw _a_ (sigh...) Fin Whale and had a roller coaster ride through decent-size swells and high, cold winds, but it was a great time! Throughout the cruise, there are pretty views of Booth Bay and the coastline, then of the ocean. The captain handled the boat well, and a staff member naturalist called out sights and explained about whales and what to look for to try to see them, as well as about other critters around that we saw (a couple of porpoises and various types of birds). The staff members in general are friendly, knowledgeable, and conscientious. The boat was a decent size. We sat on wooden benches on one side the whole time and found them to be comfortable. The inside of the boat has padded benches; the upper deck has more wooden benches filling most of the space, and a few of what looked like lawn chairs in front of the pilothouse. Apparently, you can show up an hour early to get seats; we showed up 20 minutes early and the inside seating and side seating were still wide open, while the top and the back were already full. (Seating at the bow wasn't opened due to the swells.) One side note. I'd suggest parking at the Boothbay Harbor Municipal Parking Lot that's just up the hill from the harbor, if you can. At $8 per day, the price is _much_ cheaper than the lot right by the boats, if you don't mind the 2-block walk. read more

This review is for the Audubon Puffin & Scenic Cruise. The highlight of the tour is viewing the Puffins at Eastern Egg Rock and learning about reestablishing the Puffin Colony there. This is the Atlantic Puffins southernmost nesting island in all of North America. They are truly magnificent to watch...but not always behaving for a photo op (lol). Seeing them in action is just an amazing sight. In short...they are very cute! Moreover, you will also see a variety of birds and seals as well on this eco-cruise. The Audubon Society gives a wonderful briefing on all the birds and their current research...it is a nice learning and educational experience. An additional treat is viewing the scenic lighthouses, boats, homes, and especially the Maine coastline and all her beauty. There is parking located at the main office & pier. If it is full, that is ok...there is plenty of other parking lots in town and everything there in Boothbay is a short walk. Most of the lots are paid parking and vary in cost. Of course, if you are staying at one of the hotels in town...just walk! Your pier number may change (ours did), but they are all within a short walking distance of each other. We took a whale watching boat instead of the boat they normally take for the Puffin cruise due to maintenance. It was a good opportunity to walk and see a few sights and I'm not sure what impact or difference the boat may have had, but I'm thinking it may have been less rough. If you have an issue with sea sickness, keep changes in mind and be prepared. The staff was really friendly and accommodating from the folks at the booths for information to onboard the boat. The boat was as comfortable as a touring boat can be I suppose. There are restrooms onboard as well. Bring layers! We went in June and it was fairly warm when the cruise started, but then once you got out on the water it got a little chilly and even cold at times. Then when you stop to view birds, you can feel overheated...the boat moves and you're chilly again. Don't forget the sunscreen!!! I would also recommend binoculars or a camera with a zoom lens. We couldn't get that many pictures due to the boat movements, but the zoom lens sure did help to see the birds up close...pictures or not! The price of tickets is...I don't know...confusing to perhaps. I bought our tickets online and I had to call to verify what I was seeing. It states $35+ for adults and $20+ for children 12 and under...the "+" being taxes & fees. Then when you go to check out, fees are attached to the adult tickets only. The $6 per adult may catch you off guard. I had to call them to make sure...and yep, $41 is the cost per adult (age 13+ that is). I read in reviews where people state the tickets cost more online due to the fees. I spoke to folks who bought tickets at the booth and online and there wasn't any difference/savings really. So, how you buy your tickets is up to you. I would keep the refund policy in mind when purchasing online. Then again, buying online keeps you from standing in line. And no matter what...remember that a part of the proceeds go to the Audubon Society and that's a good thing (in my opinion)! (17 pictures posted and only one is attached to this review. As usual, hopefully they'll catch up to the review at some point. In the meantime, you'll have to search for them if you wish to view.) read more

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We had harbor cruise. Duration is short enough to keep my two kids interested and engaged. Yet long enough to enjoy a nice outing. Recommend to arrive early to find the pier to board the cruise. read more

We did the Whale and Puffin Tour. Prior to getting on boat, it does explicitly state that it is a 4+ hour tour. The boat was spacious, with a full bar and food available on board. There is in door seating and outside seating. We went mid June on a cooler day. They also do prepare you prior to boarding of everything you need. We saw everything as advertised- puffins, lots of puffins and Humpback Whale - mother and calf. The downside, no fault of the company is 4+ hours is a LONG TIME to be on a boat, if not used to it, do not have sea legs and don't like the cold. It was a lot of riding on rough, rough waters and was COLD. read more

This was a very nice tour! It was long- we left at 1:30pm sharp and didn't get back to land until 5:30, and this was for the whale watch/puffin combo tour. We only saw one small Minke whale right at the opening of Boothbay Harbor itself. We saw many puffins on Eastern Egg Island but they were very small- those who brought binoculars and telescopic lenses were better prepared to enjoy the scenery. Definitely bring layers! I went in mid-JULY and didn't get the memo and was wearing shorts, sandals and a long-sleeve sun protective shirt and I was freezing. Seriously, my lips turned blue and i couldn't feel my fingers for hours afterwards. Wear pants and bring a jacket or sweatshirt. You may feel hot while waiting in line to board but you will be cold once you're out to sea. Also, if you wear a hat make sure it's securely fastened- I saw one boy's baseball cap fly overboard. The naturalist was named Brendan and he was fantastic. Very knowledgeable and engaging. He encouraged people to ask him questions and he was very familiar with the part of the Atlantic we were navigating through. Definitely worth it, but be more prepared than I was. read more

Enjoyable day at sea, followed the diving of one whale. My wife was excited to see the whale at sea.

The boat was very comfortable. The day was beautiful and we say several pods of Fin Whales! There 2 clean bathrooms on board. The environmentalist on board was fantastic. She knew her stuff and made the trip entertaining. There is food and drink available for sale on the boat. read more

My family and I went on the 11 AM lobster trap haul, lighthouse, and seal harbor tour yesterday. We had a beautiful weather day. They have plenty of options on the lower deck, upper deck, or inside the main cabin for people to choose from. We were a group of 9 that enjoyed all of the areas the boat had to offer. The left side of the boat seemed to have all the action yesterday. If you have to pick a side I'd recommend the left side becausenof how the harbor tour is travelled. We saw porpoises, tons of seals, and a sun fish. The lobster teap haul was neat too. For those not in the front of the boat to watch it be hauled in, they brought the lobsters around to everyone on the boat. The staff and captain were wonderful! The information the captain told us during the tour was interesting. We'll definitely go back for a whale watch or the puffin cruise in the future. read more

My family and I went on their Puffin Cruise and had a blast! It was a beautiful ride out to Eastern Egg Rock Island. The Audubon Naturalist pointed out sea birds on our ride and the entire crew was so friendly. We will definitely be back! read more

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Not really complaining about seeing one whale. I understand they move. The long stretches of time not knowing what we were doing is the thing. Also if you charge as much $ as you do & don't see what you paid to see there should be a discounted or free additional trip. read more

Great tour, great guides, very informative. Saw lots of puffins and had a great time following a humpback whale for a while. Would definitely do it again. read more

We did the Cocktail Harbor Cruise, and it was great! The cruise passed summer colonies, lighthouses, and small islands. We saw lots of seals and the captain was very informative and we learned a lot! We sat in the back on the second level. It was tough to hear what the captain was saying some of the time, because the speakers were really quiet (and there were very loud drunk people sitting behind us.) Honestly, this cruise was SO much fun and the weather and views were beautiful. The bar on the first level of the cruise sold cocktails, wine, and beer. I would absolutely come back to Cap'n Fish's for another cruise! read more

We had a great time on our whale watch yesterday. We didn't see any whales. But we saw a tuna jump clear out of the water which was cool. The ride itself out into the ocean was just relaxing and so enjoyable!! The boat was plenty big and was not overcrowded. The guide, Abby was very helpful and descriptive in the spots she pointed out. It wasn't even disappointing not to see whales. It's the open ocean not a zoo. They gave all of us stand by tickets to return for another ride with them. Another whale watch or any tour, nature, light house. So that is great. We will definitely be doing that soon!!! Check out Captain Fish's if you are looking for a whale watching tour. So much fun!! read more

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We took the Lil Bit of Maine inland harbor tour. Really enjoyed it. Perfect mix of pointing things out but not talking non- stop. Saw osprey, seals, an eagle, and beautiful homes and islands. Appreciated the ability to get drinks while we were enjoying the cruise. Highly recommend! read more

Incredibly frustrated with this experience (or non-experience) Unfortunately we were two minutes late. We are out-of-towners who didn't realize that it would take a little longer than we would like to get to Booth Bay Harbor. We called ahead, spoke with the desk attendant a few times on our drive in to inform them on our progress and that we would be 2 or 3 minutes late. We arrived 2 minutes late and much to our dismay the captains left without us. There was absolutely minimal effort to wait. I understand there's a schedule to uphold but they were not waiting blindly for us, we were letting them know where we were and they all knew exactly how minimal the delay would be. I would not recommend this business to anyone. I am a business owner myself and I try my best to be flexible for my costumers, and this is the opposite; they showed inflexibility and limited problem solving and ruined a chance for someone to remove an item from the Bucket List. Hope it was worth the 1 minute head start boys. read more

Didn't see any whales on our trip but they have a wonderful policy about being able to come back and try again the next time we're in town, which we will definitely do! Thanks for the effort y'all read more

A fun day on the water with a naturalist on board. They allow you to bring your own food and drinks. We saw tons of cute puffins. Along the way you see a few lighthouses and we spotted a couple sea lions. It was a bit rocky today. Staff was friendly. read more

Cap'n Fish's Cruises - Boat Charters Near Me - Boothbay Harbor, Maine

We enjoyed the tour. It was very low key and perfect for our mother (82 years old) and her partner. They leave on time, so make sure you get there early! We almost didn't make it (arrived 5 minutes before and parked at the closest parking lot for $40!) read more

We lucked out! Perfect warm weather with very smooth seas. And we saw a humpback whale and it's classic tale! So freaking cool! Also literally cool. Glad we brought extra layers and a beenie and gloves. So glad they did not overbook the trip - plenty of room to social distance and move about the boat without being in top of others. The bonus was a super knowledgeable naturalist who narrated and gave so much info about the local lighthouses and everything you wanted to know about whales, their migration and their eating habits. Highly recommend! read more

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We had a great cruise, and were lucky enough to encounter a friendly humpback whale who came back for multiple visits. But we would have enjoyed the experience even if we hadn't seen a whale. It is expensive, though, and on reflection there were other options we wish we'd explored. Get there early to look for alternate parking, $40 for the day in addition to the price of the cruise was usury. read more

Great crew, saw Puffins and whales. Wish the speakers worked on the lower deck - could hear fine INSIDE on the lower deck and on the upper deck, but lower deck outside it was impossible to hear what they were saying. Also they need to improve the exhaust for the grill area. We were inside very little, but I still left with my clothes and hair smelling like hamburger grease. read more

Great little cruise about an hour and a half long. The captain was very knowledgeable about all the islands, birds and fish. They demonstrated a live lobster catch which was very interesting. We would recommend this tour to anyone. read more

During our trip to Maine, there were many options for whale watches and other sea tours. We selected Cap'n Fish's Cruises based on reviews and feedback and were not disappointed. They run an very organized tour, with plenty of pre-tour communications and helpful pre-boarding advice. We lucked out with calm seas, but also a fairly dense fog. Despite the low visibility, the captain brought us in close to the island and we saw many puffins, cormorants and other seabirds who were feeding around the island. We learned a lot about the history of wildlife in the area and would gladly head out on another cruise on our next trip to Maine. read more

What an enjoyable experience! Fantastic sights, lots of well presented info, extremely easy-going yet professional. Highly recommend. read more

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We had a good time. Weather was fortunately great (we wouldn't have gone otherwise), Puffins were plentiful (albeit far away), saw a few other things very quickly (like porpoises) narration was entertaining, trip was fun, and you get some great views that aren't possible from the shore. Only thing that was disappointing was how far away the Pemaquid Point Lighthouse was as we passed, but you get to see some others. All in all, a fun trip. TIPS - Bring cash. Take your Dramamine or bonine early. Avoid going if the weather turns or it is foggy (unless you are very confident in your Dramamine). If you start feeling queasy, venture lower in the boat before it is too late, and consider trying standing. Bring sun block if you'll be sitting up top, and ear plugs if you'll be on the loud lower level. Show up early if you want to search for cheaper parking (the lot for the tour is $20, but we managed to find free 4-hr parking roughly a 10 min walk down the street instead, and cheaper lots are available elsewhere, such as by the Opera House). read more

Our guide Dale was very knowledgeable of the whales and sea life like seals and krill, and also helped identify pelagic birds around us. It was very educational! And thankfully they had patches available onboard for unexpected seasickness. The covered interior downstairs provided a nice place to get out of the wind. We immediately saw a humpback whale show off its flukes. And then two minke pretty close. Overall a great experience! read more

Great cruise! Very comfortable and informative it was a beautiful day on the harbor ! Would recommend!

We did the puffin cruise for my nerd bird! Very knowledgeable staff! Clean boat, bar on board, and puffins! Great afternoon! Do suggest binoculars or zoom camera for best views. We were surprised how small and fast the puffins were! read more

Cap'n Fish's Cruises - Puffin on cruise! - Boat Charters Near Me - Boothbay Harbor, Maine

It was very windy and the cruise should have been cancelled for that day, but it was not they took us out anyway. It was so choppy everybody on the top deck was soaked by the waves crashing on the boat, except for the crew that was up front with the doors closed and really did not have much to say at all. So now we are booked on standby for the next cruise as we did not see any whales...not a good policy I was not impressed, I would have liked to have my money refunded instead. read more

Living in Maine my whole life I've been on a number of whale watches, this was my first time with Cap'n Fish. I did a different whale watch in Boothbay a couple of years ago and thought I was going on that one again. The other one (Boothbay Whale Watch, I think) was a whale watch and also included a tour of seal island and a puffin tour. I was disappointed to find out that Cap'n Fish whale watch did not include seal island or any puffins, you have to purchase and go on a whole different tour to see those. For $54 a person they should at least swing around the island and give you a glimpse of everything in the area. We were told by our hotel to be in line for the whale watch about a half hour early to make sure we got a good seat, and they were right-people were there lining up way ahead of time. Not to mention there is no parking and we had to drive around for 20 or so minutes finding a place to park and then walk back to the downtown area (which you have to pay for). About 1.5 hours into the whale watch we spotted our first whale which was a group of 3 fin back whales. The boat followed those 3 whales for the rest of the tour. They would come up to get air for about 30 seconds at a time and then go back under for about 10-15 minutes before coming up again. Of course it's impossible to know where they would come back up. By the time the boat got to where the whales came up they were getting ready to go back under again so we didn't get to see much of them, unfortunately. If I do another whale watch in Boothbay, I'll spend my money on one of the whale watches that includes whales, seal harbor, and the puffins all in one. Unfortunately Cap'n fish doesn't offer this :( Pro Tips: Bring a jacket even if it's hot outside- it gets pretty cold and windy out on the water. Bring your own water and snacks- it's very expensive on the boat. It's an additional $20 to bring your dog regardless of it's size. Bring your Dramamine- my poor parents were puking their guts out the entire time below deck. read more

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We take a capn Fish boat tour every year we go to ME. We absolutely think it's the best bang for your buck! They keep it very informative but not too much talking. The scenery is fantastic. They run a safe, clean operation. Thank you! We especially love the Pemaquid tour and the Kennebec River, Bath tour! read more

Way overpriced! Parking was $40.00 for the not even 4 hour cruise! The cruise was $80 each with extra fees attached! The best part was the well educated Marine biologist who made the trip very interesting! Just think the owner is price gauging the tourist. read more

I don't like boats or tours. But I liked this one. It was perfect, moving around and talking enough that I always felt engaged. Nice hourlong view of points of interest and wildlife, with some nice history. Pulled up some lobster traps and got to see a female with roe, which was great for the kiddos watching. I highly recommend this tour operator, it was fun for everyone! read more

While visiting Southport and Boothbay, my husband and I decided to take a boat trip. We went on the 1 1/4 hour trip that went to see seals, 2 lighthouses, and they caught a lobster. We paid $19/person and I feel that was reasonable. Since it was a shorter trip, we didn't eat or drink anything so I can't speak on that. The Captain or whoever was speaking while we were on the trip was a good speaker. He gave just the right amount of information and didn't talk too much so that it was annoying (we all know how that can be). We saw lots of seals which I was just as excited about as the kids on board. I saw another review mention that parking is $20. If you want to park right in front, yes, it is $20. But if you're willing to walk just a couple blocks you can park for the entire day for $7 by the Foot Bridge. If you need to drop someone off that isn't able to walk from any distance, they will allow you to drop someone off right in front as long as you don't park. If you're doing a shorter cruise and don't want to walk from the Foot Bridge, you can park close for free in one of the 2 hour spots. Just a tip for those visiting. We enjoyed the boat tour. We were on the Pink Lady II. Very nice ship. Smooth ride. If we were staying longer, we probably would have gone whale watching. Next time!! :) read more

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The cruise was great...well organized and quite interesting. We especially enjoyed all the historic highlights and little bylines of places we passed by. The only downside was the parking fee..$40 is Boston pricing, not Boothbay Harbor's. Never remember it being so high and will never use the lot, no matter how convenient it is. read more

Don't waste your money. Went on a cruise last week the only puffins I saw we're going 60 miles an hour overhead . We did see some minky whales. We saw their blow holes when they breached. All in all it was a disappointing and expensive day . I wouldn't do this cruise again. Thanks read more

We were told no beverages were to be brought on board. Sevreal people boarded with beverages. When asked, the Captain meant no alcohol. We were outraged that we followed the rules and felt punished for doing so. Beyond that, very few whales from a long distance. Don't waste your money on this boat. read more

My wife and I went on a Puffin site seeing cruise on Cap'n Fish's Boat Trips ($41 each a portion goes to the Puffin Audubon). The boat was very clean and in great condition. There are seats on the top deck, some in shade and an enclosed area underneath with a snack bar. The snack bar has hot dogs, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and a variety of snacks. The boat ride to the island was narrated and pointed out interesting things on the way to the island. Most of the narration was done by a biologist from the Audubon. She talked about the Puffin and other birds. She did a great job and it was very informative. The island had many Puffins on it, in the water and also flying around. There were other birds there that the biologist had mentioned. I recommend bringing binoculars and a camera with a zoom, high speed lens. The ocean can be really rough and it is very hard to walk around the boat. Also, make sure you secure your belongings and hats as the wind can be very strong. On the way back we saw Harbor porpoises and a seal which was a bonus. I highly recommend this trip if you love birds and being on the water. Enjoy! read more

Cap'n Fish's Cruises - Seating on top deck - Boat Charters Near Me - Boothbay Harbor, Maine

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Great tour all around. Staff courteous and professional. Tour narrator on Puffin tour was excellent.