This was such a fun experience. You actually get to help pull up lobster pots out in the bay. The…read morefather and daughter duo explain the whole process and teach you how to put the rubber bands on the claws. They point out different wild life and the views are gorgeous. The boat ride is not artificially extended for the sake of "getting your money's worth". It was the perfect length to get the experience of what it's like to lobster. The food cart and having your lobster cooked up fresh at the pier was incredible and such a lovely family run business. This is a great way to support the industry when hauls have been declining over the years to due to ocean warming. Definitely worth the drive to come experience this tour!!

You love lobster? You like wholesome? Don't sleep on this experience with Captain Dan, family and…read morefriends. I was in it for the hope of seeing puffins but not wanting to be on a huge tour boat. I chose this one also because it would give us the chance to "be a fisherman" and learn more about the process, industry of lobstering. Wait, I kid myself, it was totally about the FRESH lobster we'd get to enjoy at the wharf upon our return. This experience was the perfect 1.5 hr duration for us kicking off at 2:30pm. We had the most beautiful weather that still required layers for the chill in the air and splash of the boat ride. Speaking of boat ride, we took low drowsy Dramamine as a safeguard ahead of the trip, not sure if we really needed it or not because the boat was so smooth and steady even when stopped. Either way, a good precaution knowing how easily triggered we are getting by motion lately. Anyway, the last week of July we were SPOILED with perfect blue skies, a ton of seals, a ton of puffins and an amazingly sweet fresh lobster meal following the ride.

When you live in Maine, who thinks about taking boat tours? That's for tourists!! (Lol!!)…read more Seriously, though, we had guests in town, so we thought it'd be fun to charter a boat for the four of us to go up the Penobscot River to Bangor. (At least that was the initial itin.) Me matey, Jay (after some due diligence on boat companies in the Bucksport area) , chose Penobscot Boat Tours as our charter. Jay said the communication(s) with Capt. Jeff Sennett (Owner/Operator) was excellent; his boat was faster/stronger to get us to Bangor and back in the least amount of time; and, the price for a 4-hr charter was less than other quotes. Splendid!! It was a dreary start to Tuesday when we arrived at 11 am with weather not looking promising for a jaunt up to Bangor; windy, rainy and choppy waters on the menu. This daunted us not, though! So, "Gilligan" and the gang (that'd be Mr. and Mrs. Howell, and the Professor), arrived at the Bucksport Marina in good spirits for our "3-hr tour"... er, 4-hr tour at Penobscot Boat Tours! ;) The boat was very cool (as all boats are!), and the Capt. Jeff (our imposing "Skipper" for this tour) made us all feel very welcomed, in good hands, and rarin' to-go!! After some discussion about the weather and tour route, we all agreed to a downriver jaunt for lunch in Belfast, and return to home base. Prior to Belfast, though, we made a special request of our intrepid Capt. (despite the hairy weather that we could see going on upriver) to take us a few miles upriver to where the Marsh River confluences into the Penobscot River. The rough-n-tumble ride was, of course, E-Ticket! (In all honesty, though, the confluence was a bit anticlimactic, but the ride was awesome!) Anyway, we turned around and headed for what was to be drier climes. The weather improved immensely and made for some pretty alluring scenery! Normally, we just drive to Belfast (20 mins) mainly not seeing the water much, behind trees/forests and such. So, seeing the coastline from the water -- seeing all those privileged homes tucked and nestled in splendid nooks and crannies! -- was a totally new POV, that's for sure! Capt. Jeff would slowdown now-and-then to point spots of interest out to us, to see seals basking on rocky shoals, and numerous heads bobbing up-and-down in the middle of the bay was pretty darn awesome!!! When we got to Belfast, Capt. Jeff gave us a suggestion for lunch (which we took and enjoyed), while he waited. The trip back to Bucksport was leisurely and beautiful as the summer sun shone upon our last leg back. The whole experience of seeing the land from the water was just wonderful! We never felt rushed; Capt. Jeff was very generous with his time. It was SO worth the cost and, more so, the experience! We will definitely be chartering another trip in the near future with Penobscot Boat Tours...!!! We all had such a great time...!!! :D

Booked our cruise the day before for a 4-hour trip and had a wonderful time cruising up to Bangor.read more

Hands down this was the highlight of our week vacation in MDI. The nature and lobstering tour was…read morefantastic!! We learned so much and got to see so many animals! We would recommend this tour to anyone and everyone! Some things that helped us enjoy our adventure: Definitely arrive 30 minutes before your tour starts to get a shady spot. And don't forget your raincoat or sweatshirt, it gets cold, windy out further in the bay and splashy on the sides , I wish I had brought a beanie along as well. Super glad I brought polarized sunglasses. Thank you! Can't wait to come back!

What a fantastic sail on "the quiet side!" Much more affordable and a private cruise was just more…read morepersonal. The boat was comfortable for the 5 of us and a cooler with ice was awaiting any items we would have brought. Will definitely go again next year!

When in Bar Harbor, I definitely wanted to do a cruise around the shorelines of Bar Harbor and see…read moreFrenchman Bay, maybe see sea creatures, lighthouses, famous mansions. Well you do see this and more when you go on a nature cruise with Acadian Boat Tours. They have other tours as well like a Puffin or whale watch. We did want to do the Puffin tour but it was filled. I am so glad I got to go in this one. You need a camera, to take lots of pictures.They have drinks and snacks on the boat to purchase. It's clean, you get a narrated tour by professionals. You learn so much you can't come to Bar Harbor and not do it. Highly recommend!

Puffins. Great tour guides: George and Sam. Thank you…read more (Hahahahaha hahahaha banan. For extra characters)

This was a great value for all that we learned and saw. We left a sunny, warm day on the dock and a…read morefew minutes off shore ran into fog and mist. Be sure to bring warm (puffer jackets, rain/wind coats, hats) gear--no joke! Danny and Allison were the best hosts on the boat and so kind to the younger kids. Anyone who wanted to be involved in the lobster fishing experience was welcome to join in. We even stayed on the dock afterward to ask our hosts about halibut fishing. We loved the seals and saw their pups. All in 2 hours! Highly recommend the Lulu Lobster Boat!!

Worth every penny!!! Our narrator, Linda was amazing and was super knowledgeable!!! Loved learning…read moreall about the lobster business!

We had a great day with Travis on his lobster boat! He was…read moreaccommodating, friendly and knowledgeable and made our three hour charter an incredible time. I look forward to cruising with him again!

From the owner: Buggin ME Boat Tours is an owner run boat charter business. Capt. Travis is a 3rd generation…read morelobsterman. He is licenced and insured with his OUPV (six pack) Capt. License for up to 100 gross tons. There are several packages and options of trips ranging from hauling lobster gear, sightseeing, to Island hopping. Come climb aboard the Sarah B. For an authentic Maine experience. packages Maine experience (4hr hauling traps & nature watch) $575 Mini Maine experience (2hr hauling traps & nature watch) $375 Sunrise or Sunset cruise ( peaceful ride around the bay 1.5hr only at sunrise/set) $210 Around the Cape (relaxing ride seal/ nature) 3hr $440 4hr$520 Island hopping (6hr explore down the bay bring a skiff to access small inhabitated islands, accessibility is limited) $950 Custom $180/hr terms of service to be agreed upon with Buggin' ME.

Fabulous day out on the water... Although we took the whale watching tour a little bit early in…read morethe season, there was plenty to see. I imagine this ride would have been amazing for a birder - but I just found it really cool to see puffins floating on the water, and different birds soaring above - with the first mate naming each as they passed. For the whales... well, it took a little bit of time to find them, but once the captain and mate did - the experience was breathtaking. I've been on whale watches before - out of Boston, Gloucester, and P-town - but I don't remember feeling this close to the majestic creatures. A humpback calf entertained us (it really seemed to want to show off!!) with breaches and jumps and swimming under the boat. I'm no marine biologist, but this outfit really seemed to respect the whales' space too. Engines off when we were close... instructions to softly cross the boat when needed as stomping will scare them... and if there were other boats coming in to the space (rare) - this boat kept a distance, and/or departed for another spot. First mate Durlan (? sorry, bad with names) was very knowledgeable about the whales and the birds and took great pics. Had nothing but respect for the captain - he seemed perfect for the job. I happened to be able to spend some time with another employee of the outfit - just along for the ride and to take some camera shots. Jenn works part time in the office, but was a great ambassador for the tours. I learned tons about the birds and whales... and Grand Manan. Whether in awe (and yes, crying) at the actions of these noble creatures, or listening intently to the birding banter between other passengers.... to say that it was an enjoyable outing would certainly be an understatement.

Peter and Durlan are super professional and awesome tour guides. You won't be disappointed. I…read morehighly recommend their services when visiting Grand Manan Island

Highly recommend! The captain is a born-and-raised local who knows these waters inside and out. He…read moreshared so much interesting history, local knowledge, and information throughout the trip. Professional, friendly, and made the experience unforgettable. If you're looking for an authentic Maine charter, this is it!

Captain Walker was fantastic. He took my friends and I out on a ride around Stonington that was…read morejust perfect. He talked to us a bit about the history of Stonington, took us past some seals (rock sausages) and a few islands. We could tell he loves being out on his boat and sharing that others. Thank you Captain Walker!

I'm from Maine. I recreate in the outdoors all year round. I have seen and experienced a lot of the…read morebest of Maine and this is at the top of the best. Holy smokes. We had a perfect day, went ashore on the island, birds EVERYWHERE. The crew was great especially Abby. She was knowledgeable, knew all the bird species, knew the local history. Just great info source. She and the crew were pleasant, friendly, and safety conscious. Is it pricey? Yup. But it's a 5 hour excursion to a wild place jammed with amazing wildlife. Just get up there and do it. But sells out fast so plan ahead!

Great tour. They are very versed in the area. Captain Ralph makes sure you see everything there is…read moreto offer in the bay.

This a great tour. The captain has a wonderful wit. Got to see whales, dolphins, seals, and eagles.read more

Today started at 6:00 am to catch a 7:45 am boat departure with plan to see whales, seals,…read moredolphins, Bald Eagles, the lighthouse area we walked yesterday-the walking area to get to it is submerged in water at high tide today; ride through it and experience The Old Sows Pen (huge whirlpools where ingoing and outgoing tides intersect. Amazing 2 hour trip aboard The Lorna Dione Small boat with 6 passengers and our Captain Ralph. Man did Captain Ralph deliver !!! We saw 3 species of whales up close, heard their blow and got great pictures. Riding through the cut at lighthouse (we walked yesterday) was amazing and the whirlpools were thrilling. Captain Ralph made sure we got the whirlpool experience, including turning off motors and us going around 180 degrees .