Top Portland On the Water

Few things are more beautiful than a majestic sunset. However to see it from the waters of Portland's magnificent Casco Bay is a truly remarkable experience. Whether a first-time kayaker or experienced hand, this 2-hour tour offers phenomenal vistas of Portland harbor and cityscsape. Your only neighbors are your guide, your small group and the wildlife as you leisurely paddle back to shore.

Visit Portland’s scenic coast, historic sites and most vibrant neighborhoods with a sightseeing and shopping tour on a classic fire engine. Get great views of picture-perfect lighthouses and architecture from high up on the engine, and listen to live narration as you tour the city. Learn about Portland’s maritime past as you explore cobblestone streets with enjoy plenty of time to browse souvenir shops and sample the area’s most distinctive foods. Finish your tour in the heart of downtown, near historic wharves, restaurants and boutiques.

Explore the heart of Portland and head out to see some of the area's hidden gems and less-visited spots with this guided sightseeing tour. Your guide, a born-and-raised Portlander who works as a college librarian by day, shows you off-the-beaten-path locations and shares with you all sorts of local lore along the way.

Board your boat, the Elizabeth Grace, near the Portland ferry terminal and cruise around Portland Harbor at sunset, when Casco Bay and the coast of southern Maine are the most romantic. See lighthouses, historic forts, and stray groups of swimming seals and enjoy local craft beer from the boat. As the sun sets, turn toward Portland to see the town light up before returning to harbor.

See a new vantage on Portland and the Maine coast—and enjoy a relaxing excursion out on the water—on this sailing tour. Make your own way to the Maine State Pier, and hop aboard a traditional, Maine-built windjammer. Once you set sail, soak up the sea breezes, look out for seals, and even take a turn at hoisting the sails or behind the ship’s wheel.

Visitors to Portland can easily miss some of Maine's most stunning sights, since you really need a car to explore the scenic coastline. Avoid the headache of arranging your own transportation, or renting a car, on this guided tour of Portland's must-see sights. Stop in downtown Portland, and visit three lighthouses, including Portland Head Light—an historic lighthouse perched on the rocky coast.

Paddle among the magnificent islands of Casco Bay during this 4-hour guided sea kayaking tour in Portland. Island-hop by boat through the scenic landscape of this coastal area, admiring 19th-century forts and lighthouses along the way. As you travel you’ll scout for marine life like seals and seabirds and take a break on a local beach for snacks and exploring.

100% Private Charter for Groups up to 15 — Flat Rate Pricing This exclusive 2-hour boat tour is designed for private groups seeking an authentic, intimate experience on Casco Bay. Unlike crowded public cruises, your group of up to 15 guests will enjoy the full comfort and charm of one of our classic wooden vessels—all to yourselves. Cruise past iconic lighthouses, historic granite forts, and stunning stretches of Maine’s coastline, with opportunities to spot harbor seals, seabirds, and other local wildlife along the way. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply gathering with friends, this charter offers a personalized, relaxed way to experience the best of coastal Maine. Feel free to bring your own food—we provide all the glassware, plates, and utensils you’ll need. Local craft beer, wine, and other beverages are also available for purchase onboard, making it easy to sip, savor, and soak in the scenery.

As we cruise the waters around Portland Harbor we will make stops at Portland Breakwater Light, Spring Point Light and Ram Island Ledge Light before stopping at Maine’s oldest and most iconic lighthouse, Portland Headlight. This historic beacon, with its striking architecture and stark coastal backdrop, is a sight to behold from the perspective of the Atlantic Ocean as seafarers have done for more than 200 years. After photos and information about this iconic lighthouse, we continue the ride along the rocky shores of Cape Elizabeth to Two Lights State Park, whose twin lighthouses perch atop dramatic cliffs. Our best chance for wildlife comes during the next leg of the ride as we cruise open waters to Halfway Rock Lighthouse, a true maritime relic. Standing proudly on a remote ledge in the open ocean, it has guided mariners through thick fog and turbulent waters for over a century. Seals are often found hanging on the rocks and feeding in the nutrient-rich waters.

Charter a vintage lobster boat, dubbed MONHEGAN, and set sail with this two-hour tour into Casco Bay. You'll get great views of the Maine coastline, passing by four lighthouses as you go. This is a great opportunity to take photos of the coastline and waters, while learning about local nautical history from a knowledgeable captain.

Looking for a romantic way to watch the sunset while in Maine? How about chartering a vintage lobster boat and heading out to Casco Bay, where you'll take in great views of the sea and coastline. Your captain and guide will be on board to point out lighthouses, historic forts, and natural features. A round of drinks is included to toast the sunset with, but more beverages are available to purchase onboard.

Discover the lighthouses and coastal landmarks of Portland on a small-group biking tour. Hop on a provided bicycle and follow your guide to the Bug Light, Spring Point Ledge, and Portland Head lighthouses. Along the way, learn about their storied histories. Other highlights include the Liberty Ship Memorial, Cape Elizabeth, and Willard Beach. Set at a leisurely pace, the adventure also includes a complimentary lobster roll lunch at an award-winning food truck.

Explore the Portland Peninsula by bike with this small-group guided tour. Start at the Eastern Promenade, making your way along the waterfront bike path until you reach the Back Cove Trail. Your guide takes you to the Old Port to see some of the City of Portland's prettiest old brick buildings, and you learn the significance of local food, history, and culture of this area.

Learn about Portland's history with this walking tour, which will take you through the Old Port, downtown, and waterfront areas. You'll see all sorts of historic attractions, including the home of Hendry Wadsworth-Longfellow, the Eastern Cemetery, and the Abyssinian Church, all with a professional guide on hand to share stories about the city's past.

Discover the beauty of Northwest Casco Bay on a 3-hour morning kayaking tour. No experience is necessary, as you get a crash course before the tour begins and your guide is on hand at all times. Double kayaks are available, if you prefer to paddle tandem. See Brunswick and its native wildlife from a unique vantage point. Then enjoy complimentary snacks and a brief land excursion, before your return.

With surrounding streams and ponds, beaches, man-made canals, and natural coves and inlets, Sebago Lake is ideal for exploring on kayaks. If you haven’t brought one with you, this rental can help you get on the water. After a safety briefing, take off from a private launch designed for easily getting in your kayak and into the water, and explore the natural beauty of the lake for about 4 hours.

Spend three hours kayaking through Casco Bay with this small-group tour led by a professional guide. You'll launch from Mere Point in Brunswick and paddle over to a couple of different islands, with the opportunity to see all sorts of marine birds, and maybe even a seal or two, along the way.

Sail with us for a two-hour Windjammer Sail on Casco Bay in Portland, Maine — the perfect way to experience the beauty of the rugged coastline, complete with lighthouses, seals, and seabirds (NOTE: This is NOT a narrated tour, but our crew is happy to answer any questions you have about the sites). Pack a meal, bring your favorite wine or beer, and sit back and relax as you slip through the pristine waters of Casco Bay. All ages are welcome! Whether you are nine years old or 99, sailing aboard one of our Maine historic schooners is a unique adventure. All of our wooden windjammers were built in Maine and three are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Explore one of Maine’s most picturesque boating destinations—and enjoy a more up-close experience of the sights than most other tours offer—on this excursion by rigid inflatable boat. Departing straight from the marina, you’ll set off into the bay with just a small group for company. Spy the region’s many islands and lighthouses; look out for seals, porpoises, and other wildlife; and really immerse yourself in the maritime scenery.

Kayak through the natural Maine wilderness and vast lake views for an on the water adventure. This two hour guided tour will begin with a safety briefing and lesson covering the fundamentals of recreational kayaking. Using the EZ launching system at Sebago Trails Paddling, the tour will explore the water-carved bends and twists of a meandering stream unveiling local wildlife in a rustic backdrop. Then continue onto Jordan Bay of Sebago Lake as the guides share stories dating back to the settlements of the region.

The hour just before sunset is the best time for stand-up paddling on the waters of Casco Bay. The sky tends to explode with color and the seas often become glassy and calm. This trip involves a leisurely paddle just far enough along the waterfront or into the islands to enjoy a panoramic view of the sun setting over the city as we paddle back to the East End Beach. This two-hour tour is designed for people of all experience levels — including those new to stand-up paddling.

What better way to see the delights than in the style of a private charter for you and five friends or family members? Experience the beauty and serenity of the rugged coastline as you gaze upon seabirds, sea houses, and islands. Guests are encouraged to help raise the sails with a deckhand and steer the ship for themselves. Your charter is your time to relax, celebrate, entertain, and sail, so you get to set the pace and atmosphere. Beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages are permitted on board.

Take in the famous autumn foliage of New England during a private 2.5-hour sightseeing cruise from Portland. With room for six people, it's an ideal intimate experience for couples, friends, or families. It’s also a great opportunity to photograph the leaves and wildlife from a unique perspective. Learn about the area from your private guide as you cruise at a gentle pace.