Tours and Tickets to Experience Casco Bay
15 results
What are people saying about Casco Bay
Olivia_H, Jun 2025
Beautiful Tour!
Great tour with Sam! Got to go out on the Casco bay and saw some seals and an ospreys nest with osprey in it. Also got to see a porpoise! Sam was a great guide and the weather was perfect. Definitely a highlight for us!
Jing_W, Jul 2024
Amazing
My family and I loved the tour. The boat is very different than the other tour boats that I saw, it is much lower to the water and faster. If you like excitement then it is perfect! It was also nice to see the different islands in Casco Bay and learn some history about the area. I would recommend the tour for anyone who would like a bit more speed than a normal boat tour offers.
Cheryl_J, Sep 2023
Fun In Portland
Keith was a wonderful guide … he was very knowledgeable, enthusiastic and safety conscious, Thank you for a beautiful afternoon!
Abrar_R, Sep 2025
Great for Groups
It is a thrilling ride around the bay. We had 13 people in our group that loved the ride. Definitely a highlight of Portland.
Katie_T, Aug 2025
Beautiful night!
We loved this tour! Joe was super friendly and the kayaks are well taken care of. Also the staff was really kind and they were very accommodating and kept our bags safe behind the desk. Great paddle, would love to come back and do the city line paddle. We did the seal paddle and saw a few.
Robert_L, Jul 2025
It is just a...
It is just a funexperience for two hours with a friendly crew. The schooner left on time and returned as expected. The fact that we had winds that day allowed the sails to go up - a plus
Erica_M, Jul 2025
The guides were friendly...
The guides were friendly and engaging, brought us a snack for our midway stop, and attentive to our needs and pace.
Jennifer_A, Jul 2024
Highly recommend
Excellent trip! Very informative with a splash of adventure. Loved learning about Casco Bay at higher speeds.
Joseph_J, Jul 2025
Tom was a great guide and...
Tom was a great guide and was able to quickly teach us less experienced kayakers. The weather was great which made for a perfect sunset.
Michael_B, Jun 2025
Captain Noah was great...
Captain Noah was great
Wonderful time
Have done once before
Thank you so much for your time
We look forward to helping
Mark_F, Jun 2024
Great tour of casco bay
What a fantastic way to see the spectacular islands and shoreline of Casco Bay. Our group of 4 adults had an excellent time. Stayed dry throughout, and the speed was exhilarating. We were able to see seals and porpoises during our trip. Our guides and captain were excellent!
Mary_L, Aug 2024
Fun Kayak Day
Suzanne was an amazing guide! We paddled to an island and saw seals along the way. Would highly recommend!
Casco Bay
5.0
(1,329)
Know before you go
Ways to explore
How to get there
When to visit

Casco Bay is a must-see for nature and history lovers.
With relatively calm water conditions and multiple islands to explore, Casco Bay is a great destination for families with kids.
Remember to bring comfortable shoes and sun protection.
It’s a good idea to dress in layers, as the weather can change quickly in this coastal region.
Ferries from Portland to the islands in Casco Bay are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.
People Also Ask
Which island is best to visit in Casco Bay?
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.
Why is Casco Bay called Casco Bay?
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).
How many islands are in Casco Bay?
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.
What is the most populous island in 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.
Which animals are in Casco Bay?
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.
Which birds are in Casco Bay Maine?
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.
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