Top Portland Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises

Relax and unwind at sunset on this guided cruise of Casco Bay, Maine. Set off from the city of Portland and listen as your guide narrates your journey, sharing interesting facts and history about the area as you pass lighthouses and former military forts. It’s an ideal way to end a busy sightseeing day or begin a romantic evening.

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.

Experience the beauty of Casco Bay and set sail from Portland, Maine for an unforgettable sunset cruise. Bring your own snacks and drinks, kick back, and relax as your captain sails towards incredible views. Feel free to ask your captain and crew questions about the scenery, and remember to keep your eyes peeled for seals and seabirds.

Set sail for some incredible sights off the coast of Portland, Maine. Keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife, and feel free to pick your captain and crew’s brains on the scenery. Kick back, relax, and bring your own snacks and drinks to enjoy as your captain sails towards wonderful views of lighthouses and historic forts.

Half maritime adventure, half sightseeing exploration, the best way to catch Portland’s history is from the water. Gliding along Diamond Pass, you’ll catch views of Civil War–era forts, historic lighthouses, and likely some lobster boats bobbing in the breeze. Perfect for all ages, you’ll get to know the city and its maritime heritage, all while taking in its most scenic side.

Experience the scenic coastline of Casco Bay in Portland, aboard a traditional Maine windjammer. Sail past lighthouses, rocky islands, and wildlife while enjoying the peaceful pace of a classic schooner cruise. Bring your own picnic and drinks to enjoy on board as you take in the views. Suitable for all ages, this relaxing sailing experience offers an authentic way to discover the beauty of the coast.

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.

Ditch the standard sightseeing itinerary and indulge in stories of the strange, supernatural, and macabre during this evening walking tour through Portland’s historic Old Port district. Listen to ghost stories from your guide as you take in the picturesque waterfront and historic waterfront, including mysterious apparitions and a sea serpent named Cassie.

Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Atlantic Ocean on our whale-watching tour departing from Portland, Maine. Set sail from the historic harbor, where you'll board a comfortable vessel equipped for a thrilling marine adventure. As we cruise along the rugged coastline, keep your eyes peeled for the majestic giants of the sea – humpback whales, fin whales, and minke whales are frequently spotted in these waters. Our experienced naturalist guides will be with you every step of the way, providing fascinating insights into the behavior and biology of these incredible creatures. The tour also offers the opportunity to observe a variety of other marine life, including seals, porpoises, and a wide range of seabirds. Don't forget to bring your camera, as you'll want to capture these unforgettable moments.

Experience Portland's rich history from its most impressive vantage point: the water. Adventuring along Diamond Pass, you'll glimpse a Civil War–era fort, old-school lobster boats, and all the lighthouses Portland is so famous for, including Portland Head Light, Maine’s oldest. Suitable for all ages, this excursion is both a dive into Portland's past and a sightseeing adventure, a two-fer that’s leisurely, scenic, and fun.

Embark on a boat to a private island historic fort that’s only accessible with this tour. Leave from Portland and for a boat ride on Casco Bay, landing at the privately owned Fort Scammel on House Island. There, explore the architecture and preserved ruins of the stone fort—the only fort in the Portland harbor to see battle. Discover underground passages and learn the history of this previously inaccessible site.

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 small-group 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.

Join us for 1 1/2 hours as we cruise along the rugged coastline, complete with lighthouses, seals, seabirds, and historic forts. Pack a meal, bring your favorite wine or beer, and sit back and relax as you slip through the tranquil waters of Casco Bay. All ages are welcome! Whether you are nine years old or 99, cruising aboard Ruth is a unique adventure, a 39’ long classic, picnic style tour boat built in 1935 at Handy Boat in Falmouth, Maine.

This tour balances great food, stories, and a relaxed, local feel. Rather than rushing between stops or focusing only on tastings, this experience is designed to give you a genuine sense of Portland, how the food scene connects to the city’s history, and the people behind each kitchen. You’ll visit a mix of hidden gems and locally loved spots, from bold Colombian food to a cozy European bistro to classic Maine seafood, all thoughtfully paired to show the range of what Portland does best. With a small group size and a knowledgeable local guide, the experience feels personal, unhurried, and engaging, more like exploring the city with a well connected friend than following a script.

On this smartphone-guided adventure, you'll see Portland’s historic streets and discover its stories. Go at your own pace, anytime. The tour never expires. The tour is professionally produced with pro narration and music. It's location-aware walking step by step through the city. You’ll see the cobblestones streets, wharf street, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s home, stops on the underground railroad, city hall, exchange street, the lobster square, historic buildings, and the best spots to eat, including the best donut shop ever. Really, it’s that good. You'll hear the stories of Portland, Anna Kendrick’s favorite hangs, Longfellow’s history, stories of lighthouses, adventure, prohibition, bootleggers, the underground railroad, Japanese mailboxes, the revolution, colonial times, and much more.

Embark on an unforgettable 1.5-hour cruise along Maine's breathtaking coastline at sunset. See four of Maine's most iconic lighthouses, spot seals and seabirds, and take in the historic forts that dot the landscape. Bring your favorite wine or beer and a delicious meal, and unwind as we cruise through the serene waters of Casco Bay. Journey aboard Ruth—a charming 39-foot classic picnic-style tour boat crafted in 1935 at Handy Boat in Falmouth, Maine. Don't miss out on this unique sunset experience!

Set off on a refined culinary adventure through the serene waters of Casco Bay. Your journey begins at Portland Beer Hub, where you’ll gather before being escorted to the waterfront to board your boat. As you glide past the stunning coastline, savor freshly shucked oysters perfectly paired with crisp prosecco. Whether you’re toasting to a special occasion or simply indulging in a moment of pure relaxation, this experience blends Portland’s finest flavors with breathtaking coastal views—an unforgettable way to enjoy the best of land and sea.

With this small-group walking tour, you'll go beyond lobsters and lighthouses and get a look at the true Portland, Maine—across 400 years of history. Meander downtown and the Old Port, visiting hidden landmarks and learning about Wabanaki leaders and other people and events left out of the history books. Discover centuries of destruction, revival, underrepresented perspectives, and other elements that mainstream tours gloss over.

Dive straight into Portland’s working waterfront—where the smell of the sea, and the bustle of the wharves, set the tone for an unforgettable walk through the city’s past. This immersive experience blends local history with maritime culture, offering a deeper look at how Portland grew from a rugged seaport into one of New England’s most vibrant coastal cities. As you stroll the cobblestone streets and working wharfs, your guide will share tales of shipbuilders, merchants, fires, and fishermen who shaped Portland’s story.

Witness the stunning sunset over Casco Bay on this two-hour public powerboat cruise aboard the classic Maine-built vessel, Avelinda. As the sun sets, enjoy picturesque views of iconic lighthouses like Portland Head Light and serene islands such as Peaks Island. With a maximum of six guests per boat, relish an intimate experience while keeping an eye out for local wildlife like seals and seabirds. Captains with extensive local knowledge share tales of the region's rich history, making this cruise a perfect way to unwind and soak in the beauty of Maine's coast. Open to all ages, it’s a memorable outing for families and couples alike. - 2-hour scenic sunset cruise through Casco Bay - Maximum of 6 guests for an intimate experience - Spot local wildlife and iconic Portland lighthouses - Knowledgeable captains share local history and ecology

See Portland’s iconic lighthouses from the water for views you can’t experience from shore. This intimate harbor cruise showcases Casco Bay’s coastal scenery, historic forts, islands, and working waterfront while your captain shares local insights along the way. Relax with a drink as you enjoy a memorable perspective on Maine’s rugged coastline.

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.

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.