Casco Bay private boat charter: Portland Head Light & forts

Four lighthouses and two forts from the deck of a wooden vessel built for your group alone

A private wooden boat charter from Portland's Old Port for groups of up to 15 guests, passing Portland Head Light, Fort Gorges, Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse, and other Casco Bay landmarks while a licensed captain and local guide narrate the history and point out harbor seals and seabirds. The boat is yours for two hours. Bring your own food and drinks, or purchase beer and wine onboard.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private wooden boat sightseeing cruise

• Board private wooden boat at Portland Old Port
• Pass by Bug Light lighthouse
• View Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse and Fort Preble
• See Portland Head Light from the water
• Pass Ram Island Ledge Light
• View Fort Gorges fortress
• See Peaks Island from the boat
• Cruise past Fort Scammel on House Island

The experience

The boat leaves Portland's Old Port, the working waterfront where 19th-century brick warehouses and fishing piers sit steps from boutique shops and restaurants. From there you pass Bug Light, the cast-iron lighthouse marking the harbor entrance, then Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse, built in 1897 to warn ships away from a ledge that claimed countless vessels. Beside it stands Fort Preble, a granite fortification from 1808 that saw action in the War of 1812, the Civil War, and both World Wars.

Portland Head Light comes next: the most photographed lighthouse in the country, perched on a rocky cliff in Fort Williams Park and guiding mariners since 1791. The captain slows down to give your group time for photos and stories of shipwrecks and early American history. Across the harbor, Ram Island Ledge Light appears to float on its rocky outcrop, skeletal and weathered, a stark contrast to the stately charm of Portland Head. Fort Gorges, a stone fortress built in the 1850s with walls designed for a dozen cannons, rises from a small rocky island between Peaks and Little Diamond. During World War II it served as a U.S. Army storage site supporting coastal defense. You also pass Peaks Island, the largest in Casco Bay, and Fort Scammel on House Island, the only fortification ever to fire in defense of Portland Harbor.

A licensed captain and local guide are included, along with bottled water, cooler and ice, and an environmentally friendly composting toilet onboard. Bring your own food or purchase beer and wine at the bar. The boat is a classic wooden vessel, restored and equipped for private groups: no crowded public cruises, no sharing the deck.

What’s included

• Licensed captain and local guide in English.
• bottled water.
• cooler and ice.
• onboard glassware and utensils.
• environmentally friendly composting toilet.
• beer and wine available for purchase on board.

Before you book

Days and timesThursday to SaturdayDepartures at 10:00 and 13:00

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Casco Bay Custom Charters, LLC

Is this one for you?Book this charter if your group is large enough to fill a boat (15 or fewer guests traveling together), and you want to see the major lighthouses and forts of Casco Bay without splitting up across multiple public cruises or coordinating separate bookings.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Portland Head Light like from the water?

Portland Head Light sits on a rocky cliff in Fort Williams Park and has guided mariners since 1791. From the boat, you get the best vantage point for photos. The captain slows down and spends extra time in front of the lighthouse so your group can take in its grandeur and hear stories of shipwrecks and wartime watchmen. You don't go ashore or tour the lighthouse itself, but seeing it from the deck of a wooden vessel is the experience.

How many lighthouses and forts does the charter pass?

You see four lighthouses (Bug Light at the harbor entrance, Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse, Portland Head Light, and Ram Island Ledge Light) plus three forts: Fort Preble beside Spring Point Ledge, Fort Gorges on a rocky island in the bay, and Fort Scammel on House Island. The itinerary also includes a pass by Peaks Island, the largest and most populated island in Casco Bay.

Can we bring our own food and drinks on the charter?

Yes, bring your own food and use the onboard glassware and utensils. Beer and wine are available for purchase on board. Bottled water, cooler and ice are included.

Is a guide included, and what language does the guide speak?

A licensed captain and local guide are included with every charter. The guide speaks English and narrates the history of the lighthouses, forts, and islands, and points out harbor seals and seabirds along the way.

How long is the charter, and how many people can fit on the boat?

The charter runs for two hours and accommodates up to 15 guests, including children. The entire boat is private to your group, so there are no strangers sharing the deck.