Island Cruises

Island Cruises takes families beyond Bar Harbor Harbor and into the stunning outer reaches of Frenchman Bay, where a scattering of wild, mostly uninhabited islands hold lighthouses, seabird colonies, and the kind of rugged natural beauty that made Maine famous. The cruise experience is both visually spectacular and naturally educational, with narration that covers the ecology, history, and lore of the islands and the creatures that inhabit them. Puffins, guillemots, terns, and cormorants nest on the outer ledges during summer, and seeing these seabirds in their natural habitat from the deck of a boat is a genuine wildlife encounter that no zoo can replicate.

The landscape shifts dramatically as the boat moves from the sheltered inner harbor to the more exposed outer islands — kids feel the boat respond to the swells, see the shoreline of Acadia recede into the distance, and experience what it means to be out on the open ocean. The cruises are narrated by guides with deep knowledge of the local natural and maritime history, keeping curious kids and adults engaged throughout. For families who want to go beyond the typical harbor cruise and experience a wilder, more adventurous slice of coastal Maine, Island Cruises is an excellent choice.