Morning Lighthouse Cruise Portland Maine: 1.5 hours on Casco Bay

A 1935 wooden tour boat built at a Maine shipyard is still the vessel carrying you past lighthouses and seals.

A 1.5-hour lighthouse cruise along Portland's coast aboard Ruth, a 39-foot classic wooden boat built in 1935. You'll pass Portland Head Light (commissioned by George Washington in 1791), Fort Gorges, Bug Light Park, Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse, Ram Island Ledge Light Station, and Peaks Island while cruising through Casco Bay's clear waters. Bring your own food, wine or beer to enjoy while the captain and crew answer questions about the harbor sights. All ages welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Morning cruise along Portland coast

• See Portland skyline and working waterfront
• Count islands of Casco Bay
• View Bug Light Park lighthouse
• Pass Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse
• Take in Portland Head Light
• Glimpse Ram Island Ledge Light Station
• Observe Peaks Island landing and ferry
• Notice granite blocks of Fort Gorges

The experience

Ruth departs from Portland's working waterfront, where fishing boats still tie up to wharves that have served local businesses for generations. The boat itself is the draw here: a wooden vessel from 1935, built at Handy Boat in Falmouth, Maine, designed as a picnic-style tour boat so you can settle in with your own meal and drink. The 1.5-hour route takes you through Casco Bay's cool, clear waters, a body of water with a recorded history reaching back to 1678 and dotted with islands you'll count as you pass them.

The lighthouses come one after another. Portland Head Light sits atop the rocky shore: Maine's oldest lighthouse, built in 1791 on orders from George Washington. Bug Light Park's 1875 lighthouse marks the inner harbor with intricate detailing. Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse guides commercial traffic through Portland's busy shipping channel. Ram Island Ledge Light Station, built in 1905, rises from the water with its stone exterior. You'll also pass Peaks Island, the most populated island in Casco Bay and home to about 800 year-round residents, accessible only by boat. Fort Gorges, the massive granite military fort built between 1858 and 1864, emerges from the water with its stone blocks now interwoven with nature.

The captain and crew are there to answer questions as you move through the harbor, and the boat accommodates all ages: infants can ride in a stroller, and there's no fitness requirement. Service animals are welcome. An environmentally friendly marine composting toilet is aboard.

What’s included

• The cruise includes the 1.5-hour tour aboard Ruth with a live English-speaking captain and crew.
• passage past Portland Head Light, Fort Gorges, Bug Light Park, Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse, Ram Island Ledge Light Station, and Peaks Island.
• and an environmentally friendly marine composting toilet aboard.

Before you book

Days and timesThursday and SaturdayDeparts at 10:30Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (under 13)

GroupUp to 19

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 yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Portland Schooner Co.

Is this one for you?The boat departs from Portland's waterfront, so you don't need a car to reach it: public transportation options are nearby. If you're staying downtown or without a vehicle, this is how you get out to see the lighthouses and Casco Bay's islands in a single morning.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 13).

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 lighthouses will I see on the cruise?

Portland Head Light, Maine's oldest lighthouse built in 1791, is the centerpiece. You'll also pass Bug Light Park's 1875 lighthouse in the inner harbor, Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse in the shipping channel, and Ram Island Ledge Light Station, which emerged from the water in 1905. The route also takes you past Fort Gorges, the granite military fort built from 1858 to 1864.

Can I bring food and drinks aboard?

Yes. You're welcome to pack a meal and bring your favorite wine or beer to enjoy during the cruise. The boat is set up as a picnic-style tour, so you can sit back and relax with your own refreshments while cruising through Casco Bay.

How long is the cruise?

The cruise is 1.5 hours long, giving you time to see the lighthouses, pass Peaks Island, observe the Portland skyline and working waterfront, and count the islands scattered through Casco Bay.

What is Fort Gorges?

Fort Gorges is a massive military fort built from 1858 to 1864 on an island in Casco Bay. Its striking granite blocks, now interwoven with nature, are visible from the boat as you cruise past.