Portland Sunset Powerboat Cruise Casco Bay & Lighthouses

Two Hours on Casco Bay as the Sun Drops Behind 200 Islands

You board a Maine-built powerboat in South Portland and spend two hours on Casco Bay as the sun sets, passing Portland Head Light and four other lighthouses while watching seals, seabirds, and working lobster boats move across the water. The captain shares local history and ecology; you bring your own food and drinks, use the onboard refrigerator, and wrap up in lap blankets as the light changes. The boat holds up to six guests, keeping the experience intimate and unhurried.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private sunset cruise in Casco Bay

• Board classic Avelinda powerboat
• Cruise Portland Harbor at sunset
• View Portland Head Light lighthouse
• See sparkplug-style lighthouse
• Observe Grecian-style lighthouse
• Pass towering stone lighthouse
• Glide past islands in Casco Bay
• Spot seals and seabirds
• Watch lobstermen and sailboats
• Learn local history from captain

The Experience

The boat leaves South Portland at 231 Front Street, and you're moving into open water before the sky even starts to change color. The Avelinda is a Maine-built powerboat, solid and comfortable, with a captain who knows the bay the way someone knows their own street—which lighthouse is which, where the seals haul out, what the lobstermen are doing right now. Two hours is the whole trip, and it's timed so you're out there when the light gets low and the water turns the color of copper.

Portland Head Light comes first, the one that's been standing at the harbor entrance since 1791 and shows up in more photographs than any other lighthouse in Maine. Then you pass the breakwater light, the Grecian-style tower with views that make you understand why people paint this bay, the stone lighthouse guarding the ledges. Casco Bay itself is the real subject though—more than 200 islands scattered across it, most of them empty, and the water is never quiet. You'll see lobstermen hauling traps, ferries heading out to the island communities, sailboats moving slow. It's working Maine, not a postcard version of it.

The captain talks about what you're seeing—the ecology, the history, the rhythm of the port—but it's not a lecture. Seals surface near the boat. Seabirds work the edges. You can bring your own food and drinks, and there's a refrigerator on board, so people settle in with whatever they want. Lap blankets are there if the wind picks up once the sun gets lower. The boat holds up to six guests, which means it stays quiet, and you're not competing with a crowd to see anything.

Multiple evening departures are available, so you can choose the time that works, and if you're in Portland proper and want to skip the drive from South Portland, alternative pickup is an option—contact them about availability and the added cost. Safety equipment is all there: life jackets, first aid. Service animals are welcome. Infants sit on an adult's lap. Public transit gets you to the dock if you need it.

What’s included

• Two-hour private sunset powerboat cruise on the Avelinda.
• pickup from South Portland (231 Front Street).
• passage past Portland Head Light and four additional lighthouses.
• views of Casco Bay's 200+ islands.
• wildlife viewing (seals, seabirds, ospreys, bald eagles).
• lap blankets.
• onboard refrigerator.
• marine restroom.
• safety equipment.
• experienced captain sharing local history and ecology.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Broad Reach Adventures

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a quiet evening on the water with a small group and don't want to arrange your own boat—the fixed two-hour window and private boat mean you get the lighthouses and the working harbor without the crowds or the logistics.

Top questions

How long is the sunset cruise?

Two hours total, timed so you're on the water during the sunset.

What lighthouses do you see on the Casco Bay cruise?

Portland Head Light (the most photographed in Maine), the breakwater light, a Grecian-style lighthouse, and a stone lighthouse on the ledges. You also pass four other named lighthouses depending on the route.

How many people can go on the private cruise?

Up to 6 guests per boat.

Where do you pick up for the sunset cruise?

The primary pickup is 231 Front Street, South Portland, ME. Alternative pickup in Portland is available for an added cost; contact the operator for availability.

Can you bring food and drinks on the boat?

Yes, guests can bring any food or drinks they wish. There's a refrigerator on board.

What wildlife might you see?

Seals, seabirds, ospreys, and bald eagles. You'll also see working lobster boats, ferries, and sailboats on the water.

Is the cruise suitable for infants?

Yes. Infants are required to sit on an adult's lap. Service animals are also allowed.

What's included in the cruise?

Lap blankets, safety equipment (life jackets and first aid), and use of the marine restroom on board.