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The ULTIMATE Guide to Seeing Puffins in Maine

If you aren’t intrigued by puffins in Maine, we encourage you to keep reading! These colorful and elusive birds with boisterous calls and curious tendencies were once extinct, but thanks to the dedicated efforts of scientists at Puffin Project, the birds came back to the Pine Tree State.

Wait until you hear how they had to be tricked into returning!

Now, puffin tours in Maine are among the most popular activities during the high season, offering visitors scenic views and a chance to see these majestic birds.

But the trips take some careful planning and generous understanding from the visitors who want to get a peek at puffins. Read on to find out how you can see puffins for yourself!

Getting to Know the Puffin

You’ll find Atlantic puffins in Maine, one of four puffin variations in the world. The scientific name is Fratercula arctica, meaning “little brother of the north.”

Puffins are known for their striking black and white plumage. They also have a black back and white chest, with distinctive orange-red webbed feet. The most iconic feature is their brightly colored, triangular beak.

This has earned them the nicknames “sea parrot” and “ocean clown.”

As the name suggests, Atlantic Puffins are only found in the Atlantic Ocean. Iceland is the top destination for puffins and is home to the world’s largest colony of puffins.

LISTEN : The distinct (and rather mind-boggling) mating call of an Atlantic Puffin .

Puffins live at sea most of their lives, only coming to land to build a nest and mate. Puffins love being around each other, but don’t like people so much; that’s why the puffin tours in Maine have to be carefully planned.

Puffins measure a foot to a foot and a half tall and grow to about the weight of a soda can. Their daily diet consists of small fish and some crustaceans with adults feasting on up to 40 fish a day.

These colorful birds live about 20 years on average, living on the open ocean for most of the year before returning to remote islands during the breeding season. The birds mate for life, returning to a colony once a year to produce an egg.

How Did Puffins Disappear from Maine?

One hundred years ago, puffins were hunted for their feathers, eggs, or meat. Overfishing caused the food supply to dwindle as well. Puffins eat small fish from nearby waters, and when the sea is overfished, parental puffins don’t have enough to feed their pufflings, which can eat up 100 fish a day.

DID YOU KNOW? : In 2008, Sex & the City fans watched Carrie Bradshaw famously say, “I put a bird on my head, ” referring to her bridal gown accessories. Turns out, Carrie was tapping into a fashion trend of the past. Another reason puffins were hunted was for “millinery purposes,” meaning the fashion trends in the late 1800s included feathers and stuffed birds on women’s hats.

In 1901, just one pair of puffins returned to Maine. Fast forward to the 1970s, the Puffin Project attempted to bring the colorful birds back. Since puffins only want to go where other puffins are, Stephen Kress and his team of scientists put decoy puffins on the island and created burrows for the birds.

This project worked and now most estimates put Maine’s puffin population at around 3,000.

How Puffins Eat

Have you heard the saying, “A bird and a fish may fall in love, but where would they live?”

Puffins seem to be the answer to that riddle. These birds who love to live at sea can swim up to a minute underwater and dive up to 200 feet. They are essentially flying underwater using wings for speed and webbed feet to steer.

Their beaks have spiny points inside that allow them to carry fish back to shore. While one dive usually catches about ten fish, one count holds the record at 62 fish in one beak! Once above water, they can fly at speeds up to 55 miles per hour!

Planning a Puffin Tour on Your Maine Vacation

Since puffins love to live at sea, you can only take a puffin tour in Maine from May through August when the birds come to their colonies.

They need isolated spaces away from predators and people. That means you must travel to isolated places to see them but can’t get too close.

It’s important to know that puffins won’t come to the mainland, so dash any hopes of a puffin pack coming to beg for your lobster roll in Kennebunkport or Portland.

To start your puffin excursion, you can visit the Puffin Project offices in Rockland, Maine.

If you’d like to save time, you can watch this documentary , which is shown at the offices.

A few things to know before you book a puffin tour:

• Most cruises can’t and won’t stop at the island to give puffins the solitude they need. Many of the nesting habitats are protected by the Audubon Society.
• Only ONE island tour allows visitors to walk on land, and that number is VERY limited (more on booking that tour can be found below).
• The islands are remote, some more than others, so visitors prone to seasickness should know this in advance.
• You will see a lot more than just puffins on the tour, with the potential to spot whales , seals, and dozens of other birds.
• You’ll want to bring binoculars and a camera with a long lens.

Where to Find Puffins in Maine

Puffins aren’t found on just any islands. As noted above, they return to the same colonies year after year, so only certain islands are part of official puffin tours.

Below, we’ve detailed the location and the port of call for many different tours.

Eastern Egg Rock

This seven-acre island is most synonymous with puffins. It’s where the puffins were first reintroduced to Maine.

The National Audubon’s Project Puffin Seabird Restoration Program team narrates two puffin tours to Eastern Egg Rock, an experience you can’t get with any other vendors. You’ll hear directly from those who made puffins come home again.

Eastern Egg Rock is also one of the closest islands to shore, offering calmer seas than the more distant trips.

Three tour boats can take visitors around Eastern Egg Rock.

• The Hardy Boat : Departs from New Harbor daily during puffin season.
• Cap’n Fish’s Cruises : Departs from Boothbay Harbor four times a week, with options for a puffin and whale-watching tour.
• Monhegan Boat Line : Departs from Port Clyde four times a week from mid-June through August.

Is Monhegan Boat Line still operating? In late September 2023, an out-of-control fire burned through the historic buildings on the Port Clyde dock. The Monhegan Boat Line office was badly burned , but the boats kept running. Visitors are welcomed and encouraged to visit this seaside community as it heals.

Machias Seal Island

The Machias Seal Island (not to be confused with Seal Island below) excursion is hands-down one of the best puffin tours, most unique experiences, and hardest boat seat to get in Maine. Several aspects make this an epic tour.

First, there’s the land dispute about who owns the island. Canada and the United States have each claimed ownership. Luckily, they share the land nicely. Let’s be honest – the puffins really own this island — thousands of them.

This is the only puffin tour in Maine that allows you to go onto the island where puffins live. Only one tour is given each day, and seats are limited to no more than 15 people .

Once you’re on the island, you’ll be guided to blinds, where you stand inside to be surrounded by the puffins, getting as close as three feet to the majestic birds.

Those who don’t want to ride the dinghy to the island or walk the treacherous trail are welcome to stay on the boat. You’ll still get great puffin views. Plan for 5+ hours for this trip.

Only one tour company on the U.S. side offers this trip: Bold Coast Charter Company out of Cutler Harbor.

Matinicus Rock

The distant island of Matinicus is one of the most underappreciated islands in Maine, though that’s how the locals like it.

Remember earlier when we said just one pair of puffins survived the harvesting in the early 1900s? Those puffins were on Matinicus Rock, five miles southeast of Matinicus island and plantation.

You’ll be a good 23 miles off the coast of Maine, so strong sea legs and an appetite for adventure are a must.

Just one boat option is available to visit Matinicus Rock, where the puffins play. That’s Matinicus Excursions departing out of Rockland.

The island, where Matinicus Rock Lighthouse also stands, is off-limits to foot traffic during nesting season.

Petit Manan Island

This 16-acre island is 10 miles east of the Schoodic Peninsula, making it one of a few options for those visiting Bar Harbor, Winter Harbor, and Acadia National Park . The second-tallest lighthouse in the state is on Petit Manan.

The island is part of the Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge . As with many other islands, no island walking is allowed during nesting season, but you have four tour options to explore the perimeter of the island.

Bar Harbor Whale Watch

You have two ways to see puffins on a cruise from this Bar Harbor departure point.

First, a whale-watching cruise will go by Petit Manan Island for puffin fans. Second, take a puffin and lighthouse tour to see more of the waters off Mount Desert Island and the Schoodic Peninsula.

Acadian Boat Tours

Another Bar Harbor favorite, this tour promises puffins, lighthouses, and seabirds in less than four hours.

You’ll explore the shoreline of the mainland Petit Manan island while passing three lighthouses. These boat tours only fill to half capacity, offering plenty of room to explore two boat decks.

Acadia Puffin Cruise

Here’s a piece of privy puffin information — if you’re tired of booked puffin cruises or concerned you won’t get close enough, take the journey to Steuben, Maine, less than 50 miles from Bar Harbor.

The departure dock is about as close as you’ll get to Petit Manan Island, offering respite from rough seas while still getting closer to the island than most other boats can.

Three tours a day are offered, making it easy to schedule around your itinerary.

See Schoodic Peninsula: While you’re on this side of Acadia National Park, explore the Schoodic Peninsula and don’t miss Schoodic Point!

Robertson Sea Tours

Also on the Schoodic side, you can head to Millbridge and catch a puffin cruise on a lobster boat. The seabird sightings are just part of the fun. You’ll get the lighthouse views and help pull in a lobster trap if you’d like.

Since this is a smaller boat, you’ll be able to get closer to the puffin colonies while still being the required distance away.

Seal Island

Even farther out than Matinicus Rock, Seal Island is also a wildlife refuge.

Be sure you’re looking at Seal Island with a Vinalhaven address since there are several Seal Islands in Maine.

If you’re a bird fan, you should also know this tour will include Great Cormorant sightings in addition to puffins. The tours kick off yearly with the Wings, Waves, and Woods festival on Deer Isle.

Your options include:

• Isle au Haut Boat Services : Tours are held on Sundays during puffin season, with a few Wednesday trips. Departs from Stonington.
• Swans Island Charters : You’ll need to take the ferry to Swan’s Island from Bass Harbor on the southwest side of Mount Desert Island to reach the charter departure point. You’ll get two stops on Isle au Haut during this adventure but check the price tag. It might be outside of many travel budgets.

You’re Prepared for Puffins

We hope this article has been helpful for planning a trip to see puffins in Maine. Puffins have made quite the comeback in Maine, and while it’s hard to guarantee puffin sightings, it’s a rare trip that doesn’t see any during the height of puffin season.

To prepare for puffin cuteness and to get excited for a future puffin tour, here’s a live camera with recorded sightings if you’re viewing during the off-season.

Jennifer Hardy is a journalist and content creator with more than 30 years of experience covering news, travel, and safety from coast to coast. When she's not behind a keyboard, she's out in nature with her golden retrievers.

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Puffin and Lighthouse Cruise

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May 9th-August 16th: 9:30 AM

See two of Maine's most iconic symbols: puffins and lighthouses! This three-hour cruise visits a puffin nesting island, three lighthouses, and cruises along the shore of Acadia National Park! Travel on one of our state-of-the-art catamarans equipped with amenities such as a galley and restrooms! A naturalist will point out wildlife and landmarks throughout the cruise! Sailing daily at 9:30 AM (May 9th-August 16th).

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• Atlantic puffins and other seabirds!
• Three island lighthouses!
• Beautiful coastal scenery including Acadia National Park!
• Ride aboard comfortable jet-powered catamarans!
• Guided by local naturalists and historians!

See Atlantic puffins on this cruise!

Bald Eagles are a common sighting during boat cruise!

Ride aboard one of our jet-powered catamarans! Egg Rock Lighthouse is a featured light on this cruise!

Seals basking on ledges near Egg Rock Lighthouse!

Visiting the osprey family nesting in a nearby daymaker!

Puffins can sometimes be seen just feet from the boat!

Egg Rock is part of Maine Coastal Island Wildlife Refuge!

Razorbills and puffins hanging out just along the shore of Petit Manan! Photo: Ruth Hill

Eiders are a common waterfowl seen in the area!

Northern gannets are a large pelagic seabird that will come closer to shore in the summer months.

Winter Harbor Lighthouse is a quaint lighthouse just off the shores of Acadia National Park and Schoodic Peninsula!!

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A group of Atlantic Puffins.

Two puffins on a rock.

An Atlantic Puffin prepares for landing with a mouthful of Herring.

Puffins at Machias Seal Island off of the coast of Maine.

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Puffin Watching

Maine ocean islands provide the only nesting sites for Atlantic puffins in the United States. Eastern Egg Rock in the midcoast region, Seal Island and Matinicus Rock at the mouth of Penobscot Bay, and Machias Seal Island and Petit Manan Island off the downeast coast provide habitat for more than 4,000 puffins each summer.

The small, photogenic birds have a black back and head, white belly, orange legs and feet, a white face and a stout but powerful beak outlined in orange. Their white face and small black eyes give them the look of a clown with wings.

Puffin Tours

The best months to see puffins from tour boats are June and July, but excursions to the islands happen from May through August. Early in the day the birds can be seen flying between the nest and the water bringing food to their young, while late-day activity is more relaxed with loafing on the rocks or rafting together on the surface of the water.

Tour boats depart from Jonesport, Cutler, Bar Harbor, Millbridge, Stonington, Rockland, Boothbay Harbor, New Harbor and Port Clyde depending on which puffin colony you wish to visit. Some have naturalists on board to share details about the birds and their island homes. You can head out to Eastern Egg Rock on a tour from Boothbay or New Harbor narrated by National Audubon’s Project Puffin so you get the history of puffins and the Eastern Egg Rock restoration directly from people involved with the project. Machias Seal Island is the only island that visitors can land on and view puffins from close range behind blinds.

The Project Puffin Visitor Center in Rockland is a great place for people of all ages to learn about the puffin and experience hands-on exhibits.

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Cap'n Fish's Cruises

Cap’n Fish’s Cruises offers a variety of daily sightseeing and nature cruises, including whale watches, puffin cruises, music cruises, and private charters.

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Whale Watch & Puffin Combo Cruise

See It All In One Afternoon!

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• Hour Glass Duration: Approx. 4+ hours

Perfect For Nature Lovers!

This special cruise is designed for the nature lover that wants it all in just one afternoon! Cruise aboard the Harbor Princess, Mid Coast Maine’s largest and fastest vessel! Powered by brand new, green, clean burning tier 3 diesel engines.

Venture to Eastern Egg Rock to see puffins, then look for whales at Maine’s prime feeding grounds. Great cruise for the entire family, with food, drinks, grill, and full bar aboard.

Some of the wildlife we will be seeking are w hales, Atlantic puffins, pelagic birds, ocean sunfish, seals, dolphins, sharks, and more.

Click to help decide which cruise is right for you!

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Our team does their best to provide you with a high quality experience and has a long-history of conducting successful trips. However, wildlife moves around all of the time so we don’t follow the same route for every trip. That means that these cruises may run longer than 4 hours, so plan accordingly. If no whales or puffins are sighted on YOUR trip, you will receive a standby ticket good for another whale watch, puffin cruise, or other cruises. Sorry, no refunds. Please see Terms and Conditions .

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AUDUBON PUFFIN & SCENIC CRUISE

See how the National Audubon Society has reestablished a puffin colony on Eastern Egg Rock, as well as lighthouses and other points of interest.

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See whales, dolphins, sharks, seals, and more at Maine’s prime whale feeding grounds and enjoy a tour of the Boothbay Harbor region!

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SPECIAL PELAGIC BIRD CRUISE

Join us on this one of a kind cruise dedicated to off-shore birding! The fall excursion gives a chance at some very sought after pelagic species, such as the Great Skua.

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Puffin and Lighthouse Tour - Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co.

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We had a foggy experience. Did get to see a pod of whales and enjoyed it alot. Will do it again... read more

Our whale watching tour exceeded all of our expectations. The staff was so knowledgeable and we... read more

Puffin and Lighthouse Tour

We did the Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co.'s Puffin and Lighthouse Tour and really enjoyed it. The weather was beautiful although be prepared for a drop in temperature when you leave the area around port. There were so many puffins! Bring your binoculars or telephoto as you cant get too close but we still got some great pictures. We saw harbor seals, bald eagles including juveniles in the nests. The naturalist was excellent. The Captain does give a warning upfront about 15 min before departure about the sea conditions with the option to reschedule or refund if you dont think you will be comfortable . I can have motion sickness but took Bonine earlier and had no problems. The seas were 4-5 feet waves but the movement was up and down (and not sideways rocking) which tends to not bother me.

Thank you for taking the time to provide information, feedback, and a review for the puffin and lighthouse cruise! We greatly appreciate you joining us and we are so happy to hear that you enjoyed seeing the wildlife and scenery featured on this cruise!

Due to rough weather, our original cruise was cancelled. We were notified by text and offered an alternative. The nature cruise alternative was almost like a charter cruise - 13 passengers on a boat that could hold 350. The naturalist aboard was outstanding - good information, good sense of humor.

Thank you for your review and feedback! Sorry to hear your trip was cancelled due to weather, but we are happy to hear that you enjoyed the nature cruise!

We boarded promptly & was advised about weather conditions & nautical protocols. Our naturalist was very knowledgeable & gave us great insight to the area, animals, lighthouses & history of the area. We did the puffin lighthouse tour. We saw puffins although at a distance. We also saw bald eagles, seals & an osprey feeding it’s babies. Lighthouses were nice. I highly recommend binoculars & Dramamine should also be on hand if you get seasick. It truly is 10-20 degrees colder on the water as the boat goes fast. Staff was attentive & we really liked it. A nice trip.

Thank you for your review and feedback! We greatly appreciate you joining us on the puffin and lighthouse cruise!

The check in and boarding went very quick and easy. They most definitely think of your safety and well being. Our Whale tour got canceled (bummer) due to water conditions so I consider that a plus in looking out for our well being. We scheduled a nature tour the following day and it went off without a hitch. My only thought that affected the rating was they crew made me feel like they where just going through the motions of another trip.

Hello! Thank you for your review and feedback! We are sorry to hear your whale watch was impacted by the weather but so happy to hear you were able to join us on the nature cruise! We greatly appreciate you joining us for one of our bay cruises!

Incredible sunset cruise. Crew was very friendly and attentive. The cruises definitely offer the best views of the park’s coastline. We came away with some stunning memories and photos. The captain turned the boat around and hovered in place so everyone can see and take pictures. Even my 15 year old son had a good time.

Thank you very much for your review and feedback! So happy to hear everyone enjoyed the experience!

The ride on the boat was very fun, however, you must be prepared for chilly weather. Early June water temp. is 45 deg. added with 30 knots on boat equals a very cold wind if you chose to stand outside the cabin area. Winter coat, winter hat and gloves are a must for comfort. It was early in the season, the second trip out to sea for the year. Although no whales were spotted, seals, sea birds and Bald Eagle was. Whale sighting are guaranteed or a free trip in the future. An excellent excuse to return to Bar Harbor, Maine for another Whale Watching boat trip. The trip is 5 hours long and well worth the nominal fee. Get in line early to get a seat on the top deck. If your adventures I suggest the Bow. If not I suggest the cabin during travel between stops.

Thank you for joining us and taking the time to provide information as well as a review! We do hope to see you again in the near future!

Acadia Puffin Cruise

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Reservations will be available year-round for cruises. Our season begins on May 20th! Please confirm your reservation through email at [email protected] or by calling us at (207)-598-7900.

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Adults : $75.00

Children under 12 : $45.00

For more information about private charter trips, please contact us at [email protected]

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Where to See Puffins in Maine: 5 Great Places (2024)

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When visitors start planning a trip to the Maine coast, a few things immediately come to mind— lobsters , lighthouses, diminutive fishing villages, and lots of scenic vistas.  But if you time your trip just right and are up for some planning, you might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a rare treat: the Atlantic puffin.  

Puffins in Maine

You’ve likely seen puffins before in calendars, on wildlife shows, or in tourism brochures for far-flung, frigid destinations like Iceland, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands, but never in person.  While most of their lifecycle is out to sea—and way far north of what a sane person would call a fun summer vacation!—a few rocky islands off the Maine coast, the southern reach of species’ distribution, host summer colonies where puffins mate and rear their young in burrows. 

Though Iceland accounts for more than 60% of the world’s Atlantic Puffin population and Newfoundland has the world’s largest single colony, this small summer window of mating season (mid-May through mid-August) means you can have a lobster roll, a beach hang, and see puffins all in the same day.  Take that, Faroe Islands.  So here are our suggestions for the best ways to see puffins in Maine.

Puffin Cruises to Eastern Egg Rock

Six miles out to sea in outer Muscongus Bay you’ll find Eastern Egg Rock.  Though tiny in stature (about a tenth of a square mile), Eastern Egg Rock is hugely important to the conservation efforts of coastal bird species.  Back in 1973, the Audubon Society and Maine’s Department of Island Fisheries and Wildlife set out on an ambitious project to reintroduce Puffins and Terns to the island. 

The birds had last been seen on the island in the 1880s when hunting for birds and their eggs essentially killed off the summer colony.  Scientists used a variety of methods to entice puffins; most notably, they played recordings of puffin calls and eradicated huge numbers of predatory seagulls. The efforts worked and the project became an international roadmap for reintroducing seabirds to delicate ecosystems.  

The restoration efforts have gone so swimmingly well that visitors can now responsibly observe the birds from Audubon-approved cruises to Eastern Egg Rock from both New Harbor and Boothbay Harbor .  

From the comfort of a boat, you’ll see puffins darting in and out of the water to feed, floating along in groups, and buzzing around in the air like brightly colored nerf footballs.  You may not get close enough for a zoomed-in Nat Geo-style photograph from the boat, but you’ll most certainly get some great group shots of birds and nonetheless have a stunning opportunity to watch and enjoy a unique species in the wild.  

The trip to Eastern Egg Rock has a lot more to offer than just puffins—you’ll pass a number of small rocky outcroppings charitably classified as islands where seals are often sunning themselves and napping on beds of seaweed as the waves crash over their bodies to keep themselves moist.

Sea birds of all kinds, too, will be visible on the trip to and from Boothbay or New Harbor with knowledgeable staff calling out species and information. The stunning and infrequently-visited Franklin Island Light will come into view, too: a photogenic navigational beacon on a small island and wildlife refuge.  We sure love all of Maine’s lighthouses , but there’s something special about the ones that are a little harder to see. 

Last but not least, there’s the Eastern Egg Rock “Hilton.” Researchers spend weeks at a time out on Eastern Egg Rock observing and cataloging data on Puffins during mating season; an odd-looking, low-lying building called the Hilton is their only communal space for living and eating during those scientific outings. A moody shot of the Eastern Egg Rock Hilton with seabirds flying in the background is a photographer’s dream. 

Cap’n Fish’s puffin cruises leave from downtown Boothbay Harbor, mid-May through mid-August.  Tours offer enough time for a leisurely on-board lunch (and an adult beverage, if you should so wish), some puffin watching, and ample daylight afterward for exploring the region at its summery best.

Cap’n Fish’s also offers daily lighthouse cruises, whale watching, sunset cruises, and regional tours. Boothbay Harbor has a number of iconic lighthouses and stunning shoreline properties worth exploring from the water as well as a burgeoning restaurant and nightlife scene. 

For the New Harbor cruise to Eastern Egg Rock, Hardy Boat offers daily runs late spring through mid-to-late summer. The Hardy Boat run is a ninety-minute trip, but they’re geographically closer to Eastern Egg Rock—so the amount of time watching puffins is about equal to the Boothbay option.

Plus, New Harbor is a great little village to spend time in, as well. 

There’s Shaw’s for noshing—a legendary fry shack and lobster pound with excellent food—as well as plenty of rental options for quaint coastal cottages.  It’s worth noting that Hardy Boat also offers daily ferry service to Monhegan: a lost-in-time island ten miles off the coast with a small yearly population, a thriving summer artists’ community, and a surprising number of options for lodging and food. 

Bold Coast Charter to Machias Seal Island

Cruises to Eastern Egg Rock are an easy, logistically-simple way to spend some quality hang time with the Atlantic Puffin.  But what if you what to get up and personal—like really, really close? To get that once-in-a-lifetime Nat Geo puffin photo, you’ll need to take a Bold Coast Charter trip to Machias Seal Island.

There you can get off the boat, onto the island, and into a bird blind with puffins mere feet away from you, all in a responsible way that won’t spook the birds while they tend to their burrows and offspring. It all sounds pretty dreamy, but it takes some serious planning and involves a longstanding border dispute between the United States and Canada.

“Wait , what!?” you’re likely asking yourself right now.  Yup, you read that right.  Machias Seal Island may host an enormous summer puffin colony complete with a research team, bird blinds, a lighthouse, and landing zones—but it’s also got a complicated back story and some tense political history. 

Ten miles out to sea at the entrance of the Bay of Fundy, the small rocky island covered in low scrub shouldn’t really be all too important.  Yet since the Treaty of Paris in 1763 that ended the French and Indian War, both Canada and the United States claim ownership over the island due to the inexact language in the treaty.  This wouldn’t matter all that much if the waters around the island weren’t so important to the lobstering industry. 

As the Gulf of Maine warms due to climate change, lobsters are migrating farther northeast for cooler temps and consistent food—all the way out to the pristine waters around Machias Seal Island.  The area is currently the most profitable haul along the Maine coast.  Due to differences between Canadian and US lobstering regulations (season, haul limits, gear, etc.), boats from both countries feel slighted at times. News reports of one country’s fleet fishing the others traps and violent altercations are an unfortunate mainstay of Maine public radio. 

To make matters worse, the commercial value of the lobstering industry around Machias Seal Island means neither country is willing to arbitrate in international court; whichever country loses the case will suffer huge economic impacts. It sure seems like a tense stalemate will remain indefinitely.  Don’t let the Canadian signs and the Canadian-run lighthouse fool you: the island is hotly contested.

Given the tense situation, it’s no wonder that one American and one Canadian boat each have permits to bring tourists on the island. Your one option on the US side of the border: Bold Coast Charter Company in Cutler, Maine.

Cutler Harbor, nestled into a quiet stretch of Downeast coastline, is worth a visit regardless. As you leave the calm waters of Cutler Harbor you’ll pass Little River Lighthouse with a bright green copper top on the light station and a bright red roof on the adjoining house. 

The calm waters end there, however—the ten-mile journey through open water to an island completely surrounded by unprotected ocean can and will get choppy.  In fact, Bold Coast Charter Co won’t even confirm departure until the evening before, and a landing on the island is by no means guaranteed. 

If you’ve got tickets and a reservation, make sure you have a day or two buffer for a rescheduled cruise due to rough seas.  Some avid birders will go through multiple rescheduled cruises to finally get out on the island.

If you’ve got luck on your side and get out to Machias Seal Island on a calm-enough day to board the island, you’ll be shuttled via skiff in small groups to an old concrete wharf covered in a few inches of slippery seaweed (have we conveyed yet how much work this whole thing is?!)

Once you’re safely on the island, some important rules kick in to help keep the birds feeling unbothered and content: you can only navigate your way around the island on designated, raised boardwalks to and from the bird blinds.  You’ll pass the lighthouse and the residence for the researchers, but once you’re in a bird blind you’re stuck there until your time on the island is up. 

After a few minutes in the blind, puffins will start appearing and you’ll be viewing them from just a few feet away.  With a decent zoom lens you’ll have amazing views of their bright beaks and adorable dance-like hopping from rock to rock. 

So what is the best way to view puffins in Maine? In my opinion, it’s a long drive to Cutler (five and a half hours from Boston), a ten-mile boat ride through rough seas, some decent luck for good weather, a sketchy landing on a slippery old wharf, and crouching in a small wooden box with three other people for hours. 

But if you ask just about anyone that’s done the trip, they’ll tell you the once-in-a-lifetime journey is beyond worth it.  

All that being said, getting tickets might itself be the toughest part.  As the only American tour boat with permission to land on the island, the demand is insanely high.  So set a calendar reminder, an alarm, check the website, and be awake and frosty for the ticket drop.  It’ll absolutely be worth it!

You can also visit 16-acre Petit Manan Island to hike, where puffins have been coming to nest since the 1970s, but if you’d like to increase your chance of seeing them there, you can book a Puffins and Seabirds Cruise through Robertson Sea Tours . Departing from Millbridge, Maine, their puffin cruise lasts about two and a half hours long and is one of the best ways to see the Petit Manan Lighthouse, the puffins’ favored place to nest on the island.

To learn more about Project Puffin and puffins in Maine, be sure to visit the Project Puffin Visitor Center in downtown Rockland, Maine. The National Audubon Society provides the narration for Hardy Boat Cruises and Cap’n Fish’s Cruises, as well.

Read these next:

• Where to Find the Best Whale Watching in Maine
• 4 Beautiful Maine Islands Worth Visiting
• 9 Breathtaking Maine State Parks
• Where to See Moose in Maine
• 11 Fun Maine Lighthouse Tours for All Ages
• Best Moose Tours in Vermont: Where to See Moose in Vermont

• MCI Facebook Page
• MCI Islands
• Island Technicians
• Seabird Conservation
• Visitor Center
• Nature Store
• Art Gallery
• Virtual Tour
• Board of Directors and Staff

Where to See Puffins on The Maine Coast

• Where to See Puffins on…

Because most seabirds only come to land to nest, the nesting season from May through July is the best time to see seabirds on Maine’s coast. Visitors are not permitted on most islands, but one exception is Machias Seal Island, off Cutler.

Seabird Nesting Webcams

Check out Maine nesting birds right from your home from webcams on Seal Island. See puffins and  guillemots  in their burrows throughout the nesting season. Check out the puffin loafing ledge and the exterior view of the puffin burrow for other seabird activity.

Maine Tour Boats

There are many reputable tour boat operators on the Maine Coast, both large and small, that visit seabird nesting islands. Some have naturalists on board, some try to find whales and seals, some make it a point to pass by lighthouses. All are dependent on the variable weather of the Maine Coast! We encourage you to visit their websites and speak with the captains to find the right boat tour for you.

Tour Boat Operators

Down east area.

• Acadian Boat Tours , Bar Harbor 207-801-2300 acadianboattours.com
• Acadia Puffin Cruise , Winter Harbor 207-598-7900 acadiapuffincruise.com
• Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co., Bar Harbor 888-942-5374 barharborwhales.com
• Bold Coast Charter Co., Cutler 207-259-4484 boldcoast.com
• Robertson Sea Tours & Adventures, Milbridge 207-483-6110 robertsonseatours.com

Midcoast Area

• Breakwater Kayak, Rockland 207-596-6895 breakwaterkayak.com
• Cap’n Fish’s Whale Watch Cruises, Boothbay 800-636-3244 mainewhales.com
• Hardy Boat Cruises, New Harbor 800-278-3346 hardyboat.com
• Maine Kayak, New Harbor 866-624-6352 mainekayak.com
• Maine Windjammer Association, Rockland 800-807-9463 sailmainecoast.com
• Matinicus Excursions, Rockland 207-691-9030 matinicusexcursions.com
• Midcoast Kayak, Damariscotta midcoastkayak.com
• Monhegan Boat Line, Port Clyde 207-372-8848 monheganboat.com
• Morning in Maine , Rockland 207-691-7245 amorninginmaine.com
• Sail Muscongus, Bremen 207-380-5460 sailmuscongus.com
• Tidal Transit Kayak , Boothbay 207-633-7140 kayakboothbay.com
• The Mail Boat , Stonington 207-367-5193 isleauhaut.com

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Puffins & Lighthouses

Bar Harbor, Maine, US

Activity Level

Excursion Type

Wheelchair Accessible

Starting At

Minimum Age

Information Not Currently Available

Approximately 2¾ Hours

Meals Included

Meals not included

Head out into Frenchman Bay and the Gulf of Maine to see Atlantic puffins -- an iconic seabird often called the sea parrot because it sports a rather spectacular beak. You will cruise in comfort on a state-of-the-art catamaran with professional and knowledgeable naturalists and crew and view three island lighthouses along the way.

You may see seals and eagles as you approach Egg Rock Lighthouse, part of the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge.

The boat will pick up speed as you head offshore to Petit Manan Island . This location is another National Wildlife Refuge Island and is home to a nesting colony of Atlantic puffins, razorbills, guillemots, and common and Arctic terns. Petit Manan is the second-tallest lighthouse in Maine. You may have a chance to talk with the researchers based on the island. 　

Heading to Schoodic Island in search of eagles and other wildlife, your skipper takes the scenic route along the Schoodic Peninsula to view the shoreline of Acadia National Park and the Winter Harbor Light.

Keep an eye out for ospreys and harbor porpoise, or watch lobstermen haul up their traps. Cruising through the Porcupine Islands on Frenchman Bay, you'll head back to Bar Harbor.

Dress warmly in layers with a wind- and waterproof outer layer; bring gloves, a scarf and a warm hat. The boat may not be exclusive to Holland America Line guests. Wildlife sightings are likely but are not guaranteed.

Book Your Boat Cruise Adventure Today! Whales, Puffins, Lighthouses, Acadia, Lobster Fishing & More!

Boat Cruise Schedule

• Chevron down Schedule Notes

~ All  dates, times and prices subject to change without notice.

~Reservations are  strongly  recommended for all cruises. All tours need minimum number of passengers to go.

~Our cruises can be impacted by weather such as dense fog and/or rough seas. Any weather cancellations will occur an hour to 1-1/2 hours before departure via email notification. Refunds will be issued if cruise is cancelled due to weather.

~If you need to cancel your reservation, please call our ticket office 24 hours before your scheduled departure in order to receive a refund.

~If interested in scheduling for a group or charter, please send requests to [email protected] .

DISCLAIMER: Due to the unpredictable nature of the weather, tours are subject to cancellation for safety reasons. The decision to cancel is made 1-1.5 hours before a trip’s departure. We do our best to alert passengers as quickly as possible. If you ordered tickets online or over the phone and provided an email address,  please check your email before arrival to confirm the status of your trip . You can also call our office at (207) 288-2386 from an hour to an hour and a half before trip departure. Due to high call volume, our ticket staff will do their best to answer each call as quickly as possible.

If cruises are modified or cancelled due to weather, Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. is not responsible for changes or interruptions to patrons’ travel plans including accommodation fees, transportation fees and parking fees or tickets incurred. 

HARDY BOAT CRUISES

Monhegan island ferry & boat tours in new harbor, me.

SELECT YOUR HARDY BOAT TOUR!

• Most Popular
• User All Ages
• Hour Glass 1 Hour Outbound, 1.25 Hours Inbound

Monhegan Island Ferry Service

Enjoy the beautiful waters and scenery of Bristol with our ferry services between New Harbor and Monhegan Island!

• Our award-winning trip!
• Hour Glass 1.5 Hours

Puffin Watch with National Audubon

Experience our award-winning puffin watching trip narrated by a National Audubon Project Puffin naturalist! This tour has been recognized as a high quality ecotourism experience.

SELECT YOUR ADVENTURE!

Hardy Boat Cruises is a small, eco-tourism business dedicated to the environment, sustainability, conservation and education. We offer an authentic experience with a genuine love for the Maine Coast, our community and the people we serve. Join us on the ferry to beautiful Monhegan Island and see the famous Atlantic puffins on our puffin watch !

LOCAL INFORMATION

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About Monhegan Island

• TripAdvisor

TRIPADVISOR'S #1 ACTIVITY IN NEW HARBOR!

Great customer service! We went to Monhegan Island for the day and had a wonderful experience. Captain was very knowledgeable and made us very comfortable!

I always travel Hardy Boat when going to the islands and birding. Great boat line. Great staff. No Boothbay traffic and a quicker trip to Monhegan Island, giving you more time on the island.

We went on a puffin tour and had an outstanding experience. The puffins were amazing! Excellent tour guide, beautiful scenery, and smooth logistics.

We had the best day. The captain and crew were knowledgeable and friendly. Saw many seals and eagles. Beautiful day to be on the water. We loved every minute.

ALL TRIPS DEPART FROM 119 EDEN ST-THE ATLANTIC OCEANSIDE HOTEL- 5 MIN DRIVE FROM DOWNTOWN BAR HARBOR

Public Boat Cruises

Browse all public boat tours in Bar Harbor and activities available with Acadian Boat Tours. We look forward to seeing you on one of our Bar Harbor cruises. Book yours online today!

• Most popular!

Sightseeing & Nature Cruise

• Clock 1.5 – 2 hours

Take a two hour, fully-narrated nature cruise of Frenchman Bay and enjoy the breathtaking scenery of coastal Maine, Acadia National Park, and the Bar Harbor shoreline. ( Pet friendly!) Book online today! 

• Prettiest Trip of the Day!

Sunset Cruise

Join our captain and crew for one of the prettiest trips of the day on our Acadia sunset cruise! This seasonal sunset sail from Bar Harbor will allow you to spot seabirds and marine life with a lovely sunset filter. Book your tour online!

Puffins, Lighthouses, & Seabirds Cruise

• Clock 3.5 hours

Join us for an adventure into Frenchman Bay and the Gulf of Maine to see the most awesome iconic symbols of Maine: Puffins and Lighthouses! Book your boat cruise to see Petit Manan Lighthouse and more online today.

Lighthouse & National Park Tour

• Clock 3 hours and 15 minutes

Visit three unique island lighthouses and the historic Islesford life-saving station — with plenty of time at each for photographs. Book your Bar Harbor lighthouse tour online today!

Fjord, Lighthouse & Park Tour

Cruise the shores of Mount Desert Island towns, villages and Acadia National Park on our spectacular fall tour! Book your Acadia fjord cruise online today!

Fishing Trips

• Clock 3 hours , 4 hours

We offer three and four hour Bar Harbor fishing trips in Frenchman Bay. These are great family trips! Book your Bar Harbor fishing trip online to experience the variety of catches in Maine!

July 4th Fireworks Cruise

• Clock 3 hours

Get the best seat in the house for the fabulous fireworks display in Bar Harbor! This 4th of July cruise includes a condensed sightseeing and nature cruise, too. Book online today!