Acadian Boat Tours

Acadian Boat Tours is one of the most popular family activities in Bar Harbor, offering whale watching, nature cruises, and scenic tours that get families out on the waters of Frenchman Bay and beyond. Departing from the Bar Harbor pier, their tours combine marine wildlife spotting with stunning views of Acadia's coastline from a completely different angle.

For kids, the possibility of seeing a humpback whale surface or a colony of puffins perched on a rocky ledge is genuinely electrifying. Finback and minke whales are also common in the area, and harbor seals are nearly guaranteed on most tours. Naturalists on board narrate the sights and answer questions, turning the cruise into an educational experience as much as a thrill.

Morning departures tend to offer the calmest water conditions and the best odds for wildlife sightings. The open ocean can be rough on choppy afternoons, so if your kids are prone to motion sickness, plan accordingly and consider bringing preventative medication.

Dress in more layers than you think you need — temperatures on the water can be 15–20 degrees cooler than on shore, even in the height of summer. The experience of standing at the bow with cold Atlantic air in your face while a whale breaches in the distance is the kind of thing that makes a family vacation unforgettable.

Book online well in advance during peak summer season, as tours sell out quickly.