Fall Foliage Private Sightseeing Cruise

Overview

Experience COLORFUL Maine on this 2-hour sightseeing tour, where you’ll take in the vibrant fall foliage and the best coastal sights in the Portland area. It doesn’t get any more “New England” than this!

This private charter is a flat rate for up to 6 guests—all ages welcome!

Step aboard MONHEGAN, our sturdy lobster boat, equipped with rollable side canvas for comfort even if the autumn air is crisp. Cozy up with the blankets we provide and enjoy an authentic New England experience.

To make your tour even more special, we’re including a round of drinks—choose from locally brewed Portland, Maine beer or a glass of wine as you soak in the breathtaking scenery.

City: Portland

Sat 21 Jun

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $380.10

Make a reservation

Sat 21 Jun

Starting at $380.10

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Licensed Captain

Enjoy a local Portland, Maine beer or a glass of wine on us!

Private Charter for up to 6 guests (cost is a flat rate)

Bottled water

All Fees and Taxes

Restroom on board

Local Guide

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Infants and children are welcome. Children under age 10 must wear a life jacket (provided).

What To Expect

Portland

Board M/V MONHEGAN, a beautifully restored wooden lobster boat, and make yourself at home as you cruise through Portland's Harbor, past wharves dating to the period just after the Revolutionary War. At one point, Portland was one of the busiest harbors in the early decades of the United States, a fact attested to by the incredible stone fortresses protecting the harbor.

Bug Light Park

This is the smallest and first of four lighthouses we will encounter on our cruise through Casco Bay. On windy days, keep an eye out for gatherings of expert kite flyers and their colorful kites. Sometimes there's even a giant purple octopus floating lazily in the breeze! Just around the corner from Bug Light is a statue of the bow of a Liberty Ship. Many ships were constructed here during WWII, including the S.S. Jeremiah O'Brien, which is a popular tourist attraction in San Francisco and one of the only surviving Liberty Ships.

Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse

Get up close to Spring Point Light and nearby Fort Preble, a small gun emplacement built as a part of Portland's Harbor Defenses. In the early years, the lighthouse was not connected to the mainland by the granite breakwater that exists today, and ships that went on the wrong side of the lighthouse went aground on shallow ledge.

Cape Elizabeth

See the incredible New England Fall color on the shores of Cape Elizabeth, home to some of the most amazing seaside homes in Casco Bay.

Portland Head Light

See Portland Head Light, Maine's oldest and most iconic lighthouse, from the water. Commissioned by George Washington and constructed starting in 1791, this lighthouse has been an important navigational beacon and local landmark for more than 2 centuries. The lighthouse has withstood hurricanes and global conflicts. German U-boats sunk a US Navy ship just 15 miles off the Head Light in the waning days of WWII.

Ram Island Ledge Light

Marking the opposite side of the harbor channel from Portland Head Light, Ram Island Light sits atop a rocky ledge and at high tide appears to be floating and completely unattached to land. Whereas Portland Head Light has its stately keeper's house and beautiful white washed sides, Ram Island Light is weathered and gray almost inaccessible, with a now-derelict pier leading to a ladder that requires one to climb up 30 feet on the outside of the lighthouse before you get to the door.

Peaks Island

Enjoy fantastic views of the scenic cliffs on Cushing Island and the tree-lined streets and quaint cottages of Peaks Island. Once home to several amusement parks that were served by direct steamer routes from New York, Peaks is now a quiet island neighborhood that is technically part of the City of Portland but has a small-town feel all its own. By the time the fall colors are in full view, most seasonal residents have returned to their usual homes, and Peaks is home to just a couple hundred hearty year round souls who must take a ferry or water taxi to get to the mainland.

Fort Gorges

As the most conspicuous stone fortress protecting Portland Harbor, Fort Gorges is a landmark visible from much of Casco Bay, which is exactly why it was built on this rocky outcropping a short distance from Peaks and Little Diamond Islands and the mainland itself. The fort could fire more than a dozen cannons on attackers coming from any possible sea route, but was never used in active battle. Technological advancements in artillery during the Civil War rendered it too vulnerable to be useful. The fort did serve as a storage facility for the army during World War II, when underwater mines, electromagnetic sensing cables, and other systems were used to help protect Portland and Casco Bay from German attack. Remember, Portland was home to a large shipyard during WWII and was the start of a pipeline that supplies oil to Montreal and eastern Canada, so the region was of high strategic importance even in more modern conflicts.

Show 5 more stops

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (10)

Gina B

Oct 2024

Captain Zach and mate, Lauren, were very good at their jobs. We were lucky to see beautiful scenery, great lighthouses, and enjoy the perfect weather. We highly recommend it!

Diane_N

Oct 2024

Really enjoyed having the boat to ourselves. And the crew was very knowledgeable. Thank you very much

Robert_M

Nov 2023

This tour was one of the highlights of our trip to Portland. We had a fantastic time, the crew were amazing and the sights were incredible. What a Day!