Portland Maine: Casco Bay Lighthouse Cruise & Fort Views

Summary

Casco Bay’s lighthouse stories, sea spray and old forts in Portland

You’ll feel Maine’s maritime history come alive as you cruise Casco Bay for an hour, passing four lighthouses including Portland Head Light and Fort Gorges. With stories from your local guide and a snack bar on board, you’ll spot seals and seabirds while soaking up salty air and city views—leaving you with more than just photos.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the salt in the air — sharp, almost metallic — as we pulled away from Portland’s harbor. There was this low hum from the boat’s engine and someone behind me kept pointing out lobster buoys bobbing between bits of kelp. Our guide (I think her name was Annie?) started off with a story about how George Washington actually commissioned the Portland Head Light. I’ll admit, I didn’t expect to care much about lighthouses but seeing that one up close, with its white tower against the rocky shore and gulls wheeling overhead, kind of got to me.

We drifted past Fort Gorges next, this strange stone shape rising right out of the water on Hog Island Ledge. You can’t land there but you get close enough to see grass pushing through cracks in the old walls. Annie joked that it’s “haunted by bored soldiers,” which made a couple of us laugh. The wind picked up around here — brought a chill even though it was July — and I remember clutching my cup of coffee tighter. There were seals too, just little dark heads popping up near some fishing boats, and one kid shrieked every time he spotted another.

I kept looking back at Portland Head Light as we rounded away; it really does look different from every angle. The commentary was easy to tune in or out of (I liked that), so you could just watch cormorants drying their wings or try to spot all four lighthouses before we looped back toward the city skyline. There’s something about seeing those old towers from the water — you get why they mattered so much. And then suddenly we were docking again, but I still think about that salty breeze sometimes when I’m far from the coast.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Scenic cruise to lighthouses and forts

• Board scenic cruise in Portland
• View Portland Head Light lighthouse
• See historic lighthouse from 1897
• Pass by Bug Light lighthouse
• Observe Civil War era Fort Gorges
• Spot 1905 lighthouse on Casco Bay
• Watch lobster boats, seals, seabirds
• Complete 60-minute narrated cruise

Top questions

How long is the Casco Bay lighthouse cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately 60 minutes.

Which lighthouses can you see on this tour?

You can see up to four lighthouses including Portland Head Light.

Is there a restroom on board?

Yes, there is a restroom available on board.

Are snacks or drinks available during the cruise?

A bar and snack bar are available for purchases during the cruise.

Can infants or small children join the tour?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller.

Is this cruise suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

Are service animals allowed on board?

Yes, service animals are allowed on this cruise.

Should I wear special shoes for this boat tour?

Rubber-soled shoes are recommended; high heels are not advised.

What’s included

Your ticket covers a fully narrated 60-minute scenic cruise through Casco Bay with views of historic lighthouses like Portland Head Light and Fort Gorges; there’s a bar and snack bar available on board plus restroom facilities for comfort along the way before returning to Portland harbor at the end of your journey.