Lucky Catch Cruises was one of the highlights of my first visit to Portland. As a solo traveler, I was looking for experiences that felt comfortable and fun on my own, and this was absolutely perfect. The excursion was not only enjoyable but also educational. I learned so much about Maine's lobster industry including how lobsters are caught, which ones are kept for restaurants, and why certain lobsters are returned to the water. It was fascinating to learn about the process and get a behind-the-scenes look at such an important part of Maine's culture. One of my favorite parts was getting to choose my own lobster. It was only $12 to keep the lobster I caught, and then I took it over to Portland Lobster Co. (just about a one-minute walk away) where they cooked it for an additional $15. The meal came with corn on the cob and a baked potato, and I was able to enjoy it right on the waterfront with plenty of seating, additional menu options, and live music. The boat ride itself was about 1 hour and 45 minutes and included beautiful views of Portland's coastline, seals, and other famous landmarks. The crew was wonderful, friendly, knowledgeable, and they made sure everyone had a chance to participate. Even with 17 people onboard, no one was overlooked. They also took photos of everyone, which was a thoughtful touch. A few tips for future visitors: the boat has limited restroom availability, so I recommend using the restroom before boarding. Also, if you have time, definitely plan to enjoy your lobster afterward at Portland Lobster Co. it completes the experience. This was such a memorable way to experience Portland and a must-do for anyone visiting Maine. read more

See all

We had such a great time on the lobstering excursion! It was early season but our crew managed to snag two lobsters. Even with the limited catch the crew were super friendly and provided some good information about lobsters, the industry, and the harbor! They made sure that everyone was able to get involved and had plenty of photo opportunities! We bought two lobsters off the boat and took it to Portland lobster co next door afterwards! I'd recommend this trip! Make sure you bring cash to purchase the lobsters from your trip. They were $12.50 each for ours! read more

Lucky Catch Cruises - Boat Charters Near Me - Portland, Maine

Really happy we booked this, what a fun memory. You get to go out with a crew and pull up traps and check what's in them and measure lobsters to see if they are big enough to keep! Also great to see what else is in there, fish, snails all kinds cool stuff! We had little ones with us and they were so great about getting everyone involved and having the kids stuff the dead fish in the bait bags. Stinky work! We all loved it and at the end you could buy the lobsters and take them next door to have the restaurant cook them for you! $12 each, cash only! read more

See all

Highly recommend this experience. It was one of the highlights of my trip. You get to catch and eat your own lobster. It's fun for all ages. read more

Lucky Catch Cruises - Boat Charters Near Me - Portland, Maine

This is such a fun and unique experience! The email says arrive 20 minutes earlier, however you don't board until 5 minutes before. Be aware of that because you will have to wait in the heat. The tour guides were very informative! It was very cool being able to band lobster claws, push the cages in the water, and measure the lobster sizes. You can also purchase live lobsters with cash. Definitely recommend trying the tours here! read more

Lucky Catch Cruises - Boat Charters Near Me - Portland, Maine

See all

What a fantastic experience with Lucky Catch Lobster Fishing! Everyone in our family had an amazing time. The crew was incredibly kind, friendly, and informative, taking the time to explain the lobster fishing process and answer everyone's questions. It was a fun, hands-on adventure and a great way to learn about Maine's lobster industry. We highly recommend this experience to families and anyone visiting the area! read more

See all

If you're on the fence about doing the cruise... just DO IT! I'm not really one to say something is a must do whenever you travel somewhere, bc everyone enjoys different experiences, but going on a lobster boat cruise when you're in Maine is a must do. The lobsterman and woman who led are tour were excellent; they were very knowledgable, kind, and ensured everyone on the cruise had a great time. The best part is you are allowed to purchase lobsters which are caught on your cruise. There is a restaurant a few steps off of the boat that will cook up your lobster for you as well! I wouldn't hesitate to go on a Lucky Catch Cruise again if I happened to travel back to Maine. read more

See all

I wanted to go on a tour that would help me understand Maine better and as the oldest working waterfront this seemed like it. I was really happy with the balance of chill but also education. The vibes were a perfect balance of down to earth educational but also chill- it didn't feel cheesy Disney ick. Which makes sense because they're real lobstermen/women who are capitalizing on tourists. Get that bag. They also strike a good balance of encouraging you but not going to push your asshole uncle to the point of a fight. read more

See all

I don't think I've ever been to a place that has a 4.9 rating. It's so deserving of it too! Such a great time and cool experience! Dave and Rhoen did an excellent job of explaining everything and answering all of our random questions. lol It's honestly great for all ages. We saw some forts and light houses maybe a seal head and even deer which was totally random. lol We truly had such a great time! read more

See all

I would highly recommend you go and do this working tour. So much fun and you get to work the lobster boat and get your knowledge up. The boat t actually brings up lobsters from the Portland bay. If you want to get one after the trip you can purchase it for $10 and get it cooked right on the dock. read more

See all

Two weeks of traveling around Maine and this was a highlight. We did a catch and release tour but bought lobsters off the boat for $15 a piece and walked them 100 feet off the boat to get them steamed for $15 and they added fries, coleslaw, corn and ate them on the pier. The team was so knowledgeable as this is a real lobsterman who does these tours for just a few weeks in the summer and lobsters the rest of the year. We walked through the process to pull and drop traps three times and everything had a chance to participate. So educational, fun and unique, especially when you eat them fresh off the boat! Highly recommended!!! read more

See all

Super cool tour. I can't say enough good things. The guides and the captain made sure to keep our whole crew engaged throughout the tour, which took us out to 8 lobster traps, past an island of seals, and let us catch our own lobsters, which we bought from the boat for $15 each upon our return to the dock. You can take those to the restaurant on the same dock and they have a deal where they cook it for you and add sides for another $15. We measured lobsters, learned about invasive green crabs, held sea slugs, etc. The boat was super clean. The crew was constantly wiping up any spills or water on the deck. A few little things that could have been better, but don't necessarily impact my rating because they could have been a one-off: - One of the guides handed my kid a really spiny fish. She was irritated when he dropped it. Yeah it wasn't ideal, but she probably could have handled it better. - They took pictures of each group, smallest to largest. When it was our turn, we were super rushed and didn't get a group shot. I don't think the crew planned accordingly. - The bags they gave us to hold our lobsters immediately gave out and had to be replaced. read more

I researched and researched lobster cruises to take my family on while visiting Portland and settled on Lucky Catch. I am SO glad I did! Captain Brian and Suzanne were amazing. They were very engaged, happily answered all of our questions, and made sure the kids had a hands-on experience. I would most definitely recommend Lucky Catch Cruises to anyone looking! read more

Lucky Catch Cruises - Showing us the difference between male and female lobsters. - Boat Charters Near Me - Portland, Maine

Really enjoyed this cruise. Great information. Good crew. Not cheesy worth it 10/10 even if you don't have children with you

We went on their sunset lobster bake excursion to peaks island and it was relaxing and informative! We pulled lobster traps and got to hold the lobsters. You can be as involved as you want or not at all which is great for people that just want to observe and listen. After we learned about the lobster regulations. We made our way to Peaks island to go to island lobster company for our lobster bake. It includes a full lobster, corn, potatoes, and steamed clams. If you want to purchase a drink they have a bar just inside. It was really nice to watch the sunset from the island with the view of Portland in the background. The staff is super nice and very knowledgeable about the world of lobsters! It's a great activity to do if you want to learn, eat lobster, and sightsee from the ocean! read more

See all

We had a blast! The captain got everybody involved and made it a very fun trip. You're not doing much fishing, but it's still an enjoyable experience and learn so much about the lobster industry. Very worthwhile for our family with three kids. We bought a lobster at the end, took it next-door and eat it for dinner. What an experience! read more

My husband and I went on this tour and had a blast! We participated in baiting and measuring and banding lobsters from the traps. We learned so much about the whole process and had a great time! The folks were so knowledgeable and made the whole evening so much fun. And the scenery was fantastic as well--bonus!! read more

See all

Amazing. Stumbled upon this excursion while we only had one afternoon in Portland (passing through). Easy to book online! Even though it rained all day our guide and excursion was INCREDIBLE! Both guides were exceptionally knowledgeable, fun, and friendly! They told us about harbor and Portland history and everything we could imagine about lobsters! We bought 2 onboard and had them for lunch at the restaurant next door! The full circle experience! Rain or shine... DO NOT MISS THIS! read more

See all

My wife and I didn't want to just sit in a boat to listen and look around. We wanted something a little more interactive, and this was exactly what we were looking for. The crew and everyone involved were great. Everyone got their hands dirty, or wet and took part in some fun. The little kids in the group we boarded with were in heaven. We got to see some seals up close to boot. Definitely get value for your money. Highly reccomend. read more

A totally worthwhile experience that should be experienced by anybody visiting Maine, specifically in the Portland area. It is a lot of fun, learning a lot about how to lobster and yes, it is an interactive experience. Everybody wears the wetsuit and takes turns taking part in the process. Be ready to get your hands dirty! Depending on the situation, you can also keep the lobster you catch if it reaches a certain length. Unfortunately we did not get to that. But it is really cool to watch and take part in something that has been done for centuries. As our captain said, they are farmers, but farmers of the ocean rather than the land. Speaking of captain, our captain Bryan and his first mate Nora were an absolute hoot and awesome to be with for 90 minutes. They made everybody comfortable and really made it a fun experience. He even took us around some lighthouses, and got to see some wildlife as well, like seals and porpoises. You can also buy a lobster and have nearby restaurant Portland Lobster Company prepare it for you, for an additional fee. I chose not to do this, because I stink at eating lobster. But go ahead if you want to. Five stars from me. read more

Lucky Catch Cruises - Yes, the claws are pinched shut - Boat Charters Near Me - Portland, Maine

Going on a lobster fishing boat is a must-try experience when in Maine! For $40 a person, you can learn all about lobster trapping, handle lobsters, and get up close and personal with the sea life! The staff were really friendly and did a good job engaging all of the passengers on the boat. Each boat takes 12-14 passengers at a time so everybody has the chance to participate. You can buy a lobster off the boat for $10 and take it next door to have it cooked and garnished with sides (corn, French fries, slaw) for an additional $12. Well worth it in my opinion! The lobster meal was huge and we ended up splitting one lobster meal between two adults and being completely full at the end. Don't forget to bring cash for a tip at the end for the hard working and friendly crew! read more

See all

This was an exceptional experience. We booked a private tour on their smaller boat for our group of 14. Reservations were simple over the phone and they had availability on the day/time we wanted (booked one week in advance). The price was $450 for the hour and a half private tour. The guides are what really make this tour special. They were so engaging and found ways to keep our kids involved in the process from start to finish. Kids got to set bait, push out the traps, band the lobsters, hold the lobsters, and touch a variety of other sea creatures. They learned the difference between a male and female lobster, how to measure a lobster, and the parameter's for keeping one vs. tossing it back in. The guides were patient with our questions, patient with our kids on board, and really just created a fun, memorable experience for all of us. This was my favorite thing we did in Maine. I recommend without hesitation, book it! read more

Bottom Line: So much fun for everyone even if you don't catch any lobstahs! My husband and I went out on a 90 minute lobstering tour with Capt. Dave and Tom and it was awesome! I loved it! I enjoyed learning about how to bait lobster traps, how to measure lobsters to see if they are keepers, and how to tell the lady lobsters from the lad lobsters (not technical terms). It was fun to learn about the features of the traps and to see what was in them which included little lobstahs, three species of crabs, a baby eel and seaweed. The crew got everyone involved with baiting traps, cleaning out traps and putting traps overboard. Also, shout out to Lucky Catch for being so awesome with the little kids on board who were also having a fun time. In addition to messing around with lobster traps, we also did a little sightseeing of a Revolutionary War era fort, Civil War era Fort Gorges, several lighthouses and various other sights that Tom pointed out. Kudos to Capt. Dave for idling a bit in front of Portland Head Light while Tom offered to take photos of everyone in front of the iconic lighthouse. I enjoyed chatting with Tom and comparing notes on commercial crabbing in Maryland to commercial lobstering in Maine. We also got to discuss the rich heritage of Bath Iron Works and Maine's maritime history. Fun stuff! My husband and I had a super fun and action packed five-day vacation in Maine and lobstering with Lucky Catch Cruises is absolutely one of our very favorite memories! Here's a shout out to Mainahs working hard so tourists like myself can have a great time in your beautiful state. And here's a shout out to all of the commercial lobstermen and lobsterladies who work so hard on the water to bring fresh and delicious seafood to our tables. read more

See all

Had an amazing time at Lucky Catch Cruises! The cruise itself was 10/10 and an amazing experience. The guides are well spoken, fun, and informative! They involved all the people on the boat (about 11 of us) and still showed us as much as possible on a foggy day. We even got to meet/feed Jerry, the pet seagull who returns to the boat to get fed peanuts! Keep an eye out for the upcoming children's book that is coming out soon about him! At the end of the cruise, you can also hold one of the lobsters from their tank for a photo op! Best part of the cruise was being able to purchase a lobster from the boat for $10 and going right next door to Portland Lobster Company to get it cooked with corn, coleslaw, and a potato choice, for an additional $12! Eating right on the dock was fun and they offer Maine sodas. Good Things to Know: -There is a spot on the boat to set your things so they do not get wet -They give you aprons to avoid getting wet -Parking near the harbor is not cheap, so try to plan ahead if possible. (We parked in the nearest lot for $40 all day) read more

See all

This review is for Lucky Catch Cruises in Portland, Maine. So there was lots of speculation in my family what business do go lobster catching we check out so many of the tour guides until we decided on Lucky Catch Cruises. The people were some of the nicest people I have ever met they made sure everyone on the boat was engaged in all of the activities (e.g pushing the traps in, putting bait in bags, and holding lobster). They took pictures for us as well. They had excellent knowledge of history in the area. The on lady named Erin went out of her way to sit by us and answered all of our questions! We were even able to hold the lobster and learn about them. I definitely recommend this business to anyone visiting the area! This is my review for the Lucky Catch Cruises in Portland, Maine. read more

See all

Incredible tour! Very hands on and informative! Our tour guide Jamie, Pat, and Stef were amazing! Questions were answered and we were filled with a ton of knowledge. We bought 2 lobsters to cook. Overall absolutely amazing! read more

See all

As far as tourist activities go in Portland, this is a must if you are a fan of lobster. For $40/person (reserve online) one sets sail for around 2 hours with a group of about 15 other passengers and a crew of 3-4 to set lobster traps and catch them where the crew teaches you to do so while wearing the proper attire (don't wear any nice clothing since things can get dirty while dragging things along the bottom of the ocean). It's educational, hands on, and fun for folks of all ages. One has the option of purchasing a lobster for $12 upon docking and Portland Lobster Company will steam your lobster with cole slaw and fries for a reasonable fee if you wish to enjoy your fresh catch immediately. This is no Deadliest Catch, more like Friendliest Catch! Tip your crew and happy trapping. read more

What an awesome thing to do in Portland! We really wanted to go lobstering and decided on the private tour, although I think that's all they're offering right now anyway. It was nice not having to be crammed with tons of other people while on a tour. It was much more intimate and hands on. We had to wear our masks while doing anything hands on but while we were just riding around on the boat we could remove them. We learned so much and it was very fun and relaxing. We went past two lighthouses and learned so much history about the area. My daughter absolutely loved lobstering. She liked measuring them and rubber banding their claws. At the end we had the option of purchasing lobsters for $5 each. My husband got one and we took it to the restaurant and had it cooked up. It was delicious. I highly recommend this. read more

See all

HIGHLY RECOMMEND Lucky Catch cruises! It was so fun and very informative. We learned so much about lobstering, wildlife, Portland life, and lighthouses along the way. We brought our 18 month old with us and he was even entertained! The crew is fantastic! read more

See all

No question about it, this is the experience to do if you come to Maine! For $40, I chose the Lobstering excursion with views of the Portland Head Light. The group I was in was a great intimate size. As the boat picks up pace to make its way across war forts and lighthouses, the knowledgable Captain Tom was very engaging and provided information to give context to what we were seeing. I wasn't expecting the tour to be so interactive, but the whole excursion felt like a chill adventure. We got to personally bait lobster cages, push them off the boat, and wait to see if we got a lucky catch! Note peak lobster season is around July through December! Now imagine this hands-on education, all while taking in the nice light breeze, seagulls that keep landing on the boat, and the endless surrounding ocean. At the end of the tour, we got to pick and buy lobsters from their tanks on the boat that we enjoyed (courtesy of Tom's how-to eat a lobster video!) at a restaurant nearby. There's nothing like being able to eat what you catch! It's like a reward. This date was so fun and unique, I was sad I did this first thing on my Maine trip as it really set the standards high! read more

See all

Jeff- Olive - and Suzanne were amazing hosts. Giving us history of locations around the bay, about lobsters, clams and all that pertains to it. They made sure everyone on board participated in baiting and catching lobster traps. We were on the catch and release tour - but had the option to buy a lobster caught from another expedition at end of tour. They made to sure to get us photos near beautiful locations during the tour. Again- they kept all engaged - and made it fun! This was a blast!!!!!! read more

We had an amazing experience. This was absolutely the highlight of our trip to Portland. Very informative! We were "lucky" to experience an amazing sunset. The lobster bake was good too! read more

I spent 6 days in Portland and Bar Harbor with my parents and we all agreed that this tour was the highlight of the trip. Our guides were so knowledgeable and nice and made sure that everyone got a chance to participate as much or as little as they liked. We did the lighthouse tour and it was a great way to see the sights while also learning about lobster trapping. We purchased several lobsters and it was much more cost effective than purchasing a whole lobster dinner otherwise. Definitely recommend! read more

See all

Best lobster dinner we had in Portland. Staff is amazing, pleasant, patient and knowledgeable! Parker was working so hard on the island and making the experience even more memorable. Views from the island were amazing. Food was made fresh as we sat and waited (except the chowder but it was delicious and warm). Boat ride was smooth and we learned all about catching lobsters, the size, gender etc. Lori (I type that was her name) did a fantastic job! This is one option I would do again and again along with recommending to everyone. read more

See all

There's a special place in my heart for companies that show you a good time while educating you AND feeding you. It does not get better than this. They made my friend, a beautiful bachelorette, feel great, they kept us safe, fed us VERY well, and took us on am amazing adventure. This made my first trip to Maine the first of many. Cannot wait to return. *Also, if you're a veggie like me, check out Curbside Comfort for vegan lobster rolls! read more

Lucky Catch Cruises - Mussel-less kelp. #veggiesgottaeattoo - Boat Charters Near Me - Portland, Maine

The Lucky Catch tour/excursion was SO much fun. We had a small group of about 12 people on board and everyone was friendly. And of course, we had our captains Brian and Erin. They were AWESOME. So fun and knowledgeable, they would teach us things without being overbearing or making you feel like you're in school again. We absolutely recommend going out on the water with them, you won't regret it! Plus, you get amazing pictures! Don't forget cash to buy your lobster or to tip them! read more

Lucky Catch Cruises - Captain Brian! - Boat Charters Near Me - Portland, Maine

See all

Fun activity in Portland! Did not make you feel like a tourist. The crew taught us some things about lobstering and lobsters in general. They show you how they measure the lobsters to decide if it's a keeper. The crew was really friendly and got everyone involved in baiting the traps, resetting the traps, showing the day's catch, allowing people to hold, rubberband, and choose your own lobster right out of the tank for purchase at the end. They give you orange aprons to wear and even have little sizes for kids. They guarantee enough lobsters already on board to purchase if no keepers were caught that day. We got about 5 keepers but caught 10-15 lobsters and crabs the day we went out. The biggest was over 2 pounds. There were also some cute baby ones (thrown back of course). The boat had about 15 people so not too big and didn't feel crowded. A bunch of little kids were on the boat and really enjoyed it as well - they got really involved. The heat wasnt too bad out on the water but don't forget sunscreen and water because there isn't much shade. After we chose our lunch, we literally walked down the pier, lobsters in hand, and around the corner to Portland Lobster Co. to have them cook it and prepare sides for it. Freshest lobster we have ever eaten. See my separate review on that! All in all an awesome experience and a good Portland activity for all ages. read more

See all

Absolutely outstanding excursion! 5 stars for EVERYTHING!!! Captain and crew were amazing. Had a 4 yr old granddaughter with us and she was included in EVERYTHING!!! Loading bait, launching traps, banding a lobster.... trip of a lifetime. If you are going to Portland Maine.... book this amazing cruise!!!! Thank you for such an educational, informative, hands-on, fun experience!!!! read more

See all

If you come to Portland make sure you take a Lobster excursion with the good folks at Lucky Catch Cruises. Captain Brian and Genna did an outstanding job explaining and showing the ins and outs of lobstering in Casco Bay as well making it fun and educational. If you're going on one lobster cruise make sure it's with these folks read more

See all

Definitely a must do!!! So much fun! The crew was so friendly and informative. The group was small enough so it was easy to participate if you want. We bought the lobsters and had the cooked at the restaurant next door!! So tasty! Amazing experience!! One thing to note- you can buy the experience online but if you want to buy the lobsters or anything at their booth (I bought a tshirt) and tip them it's cash only! read more

See all