Casco Bay Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Casco Bay. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Harbor Lights and Sights Cruise

• Portland Tall Ship Cruise on Casco Bay

• Sunset Sea Kayak Tour on Casco Bay

• Private Sightseeing Charter on a Vintage Lobster Boat With Drinks

• Casco Bay Half-Day Sea Kayak Tour

It’s free to look out over Casco Bay from Portland’s waterfront, but you may wish to explore the bay and its islands by boat. Round-trip tickets for the Casco Bay Lines ferry cost US$14 for adults or US$7 for kids and seniors. Guided cruises are also popular and start at US$55.

Yes, Casco Bay is definitely worth visiting, as it's a postcard-perfect slice of New England that offers views of lighthouses and little islands off the Portland Harbor. You'll no doubt see the bay while exploring Portland's waterfront attractions, but to get a sense of its natural and military history, it's best to book a guided tour. Casco Bay cruises get you up close to Fort Gorges and Peaks Island, and they're a great way to unwind after visiting Portland's busier attractions on land.

Per one customer who booked the Harbor Lights and Sights Cruise, "This two-hour harbor lights and sights tour in Portland was packed with nonstop narration from our guide—informative and entertaining the whole way. We spotted seals, took in the stunning coastline, and even felt the temperature drop as we neared the open Atlantic. A memorable way to experience Maine by water!"

That depends—there’s plenty to consider. Casco Bay in Maine is home to hundreds of islands, which range from small and uninhabited to populous and popular. Some of the best to visit include Peaks Island (the closest to Portland), Great Diamond (home to Fort McKinley), and the scenic Chebeague Island.

There are multiple theories about the origins of Casco Bay’s name. Abenaki native people called the bay “Aucocisco,” which may have been shortened by European visitors. As an alternative theory, some believe it was named by Portuguese explorer Estêvão Gomes in 1525, thanks to its resemblance to a helmet (casco).

Although a popular myth suggests that there are as many islands in Casco Bay as there are days in a year, the bay contains far more. According to current estimates, there are a staggering 785 islands, islets, and exposed ledges scattered across Casco Bay.

Peaks Island—the most populous island in Casco Bay—is also the closest one to Portland. Home to around 1,000 permanent residents (alongside an additional 2,000 residents in summer's high season), the island is 17 minutes by ferry from Maine’s largest city—and it's thought of as Portland's bonus neighborhood.

Boasting unspoiled New England coastal scenery and habitats, Casco Bay is home to a wealth of wildlife, including harbor seals and gray seals, as well as lobster, bluefin tuna, porpoises, and dolphins. The bay is also frequented by migratory whales, including humpback, pilot, finback, and minke whales.

Casco Bay is home to numerous aquatic bird species. Birdwatchers come from far and wide to catch glimpses of the bay’s northern gannets, Manx shearwaters, petrels, sandpipers, terns, cormorants, and more. If you want to embark on a birdwatching excursion, follow the Casco Bay Birding Trail—and keep your eyes peeled.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting Casco Bay. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Portland:

• Portland Head Light

• Fort Gorges

• Eastern Promenade

• Victoria Mansion (Morse-Libby House)

• Tate House Museum

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Portland.