The verdict
Our pick
Portland Harbor Cruise: 4 Lighthouses & Civil War Fort★ 4.80 (814) · 1h 45m
Best value
Portland Maine: Casco Bay Lighthouse Cruise & Fort Views★ 4.78 (325) · 1h
Top rated
Portland Maine: Sunset Lighthouse Cruise Casco Bay★ 4.82 (258) · 1h 45m
All 11 options, side by side
✓ 2026-09-28Real price per person across the 11 options: US$ 43–US$ 130 (median US$ 77). With an extra fee to pay on site: 1 of 11. With 100+ reviews: 8 of 11.
Default order: real price per person — the group price divided by the seats it includes.
Sort
Afternoon Windjammer Cruise: Casco Bay Sailing in PortlandAn afternoon windjammer sail on Casco Bay in Portland, Maine, where you board a historic wooden schooner and spend two hours under sail past lighthouses, seals, and seabirds. The crew is there to answer questions about what you're seeing, but this is not a narrated tour—you set the pace by how much you want to engage. Life jackets are provided; you bring your own food and drink.Is it for me?You're sailing an actual historic schooner through Casco Bay's lighthouses and seals—the crew answers questions, but the experience centers on the vessel, water, and coastline.
Portland Tall Ship Cruise on Casco Bay: Sail Maine SchoonersA two-hour sailing cruise on Casco Bay departing from Portland aboard one of three historic Maine schooners—Bagheera, Wendameen or Timberwind—where you can help raise the sails, take a turn at the wheel, or simply sit back and watch the Maine coast slip past. All three ships are wooden windjammers listed on the National Register of Historic Places, certified by the U.S. Coast Guard, and built in Maine. Life jackets are provided for all ages.Is it for me?Meet fellow sailors on a shared schooner cruise, or book privately to have the ship and your departure time entirely to yourselves.
Portland Maine: Sunset Windjammer Cruise & Casco Bay LighthousesYou board a working wooden schooner and sail Casco Bay for two hours, passing lighthouses, seals, and the 1858 Fort Gorges while Portland's fishing wharves slip behind you. Bring your own food and wine, ask the crew what you want to know, and let the sails do the work. No narration, no schedule—just the water and the boat.Is it for me?Right for anyone wanting to be on the water without a guided tour script—you get the boat, the sails, the lighthouses and seals, and two hours of quiet time with a drink and a meal. The boat works for all ages and fitness levels, though expect to be outside on deck the whole time.
Portland Maine: Lighthouse Cruise & Casco Bay with WineYou board Ruth at the Portland waterfront and spend ninety minutes drifting past five lighthouses, Fort Gorges, and the working islands of Casco Bay while seals and seabirds move around you. Bring your own picnic and wine. The boat does the work; you just sit there and let the 1935 wooden hull carry you through water that's been doing this since before the lighthouses were built.Is it for me?Right for families and groups who want to see Maine's lighthouses without a guided narrative — just a slow boat, salt water, and time to talk or sit quiet. The ninety minutes is short enough for restless kids but long enough to actually feel like you've left the city.
Portland Sunset Harbor Cruise & Local Craft BeerYou board the Elizabeth Grace at Portland's harbor, cruise past Maine's oldest lighthouse and a 19th-century island fort while sipping included local craft beer, watch for seals in Casco Bay, and take in the sunset from the water before the city's nighttime skyline lights up. The whole thing takes 1.5 hours, small groups stay under control, and you're back on land before dark.Is it for me?Book this if you want the Maine sunset and the lighthouses without arranging your own boat—the fixed departure time and included drink mean you show up, board, and the rest happens on schedule.
Fort Scammel Tour Casco Bay: Boat Cruise & Island ExploreA two-hour private boat tour from Portland to Fort Scammel on House Island, where you explore a historic 19th-century stone fort with underground passages and French architectural details. The boat departs from SeaPortland, includes a local craft beverage or non-alcoholic drink per person, and operates with a live English-speaking guide for groups of four or more. The fort itself has been privately owned and closed to the public until now, making this the only way to access it in Portland.Is it for me?At two hours, the tour leaves your morning or afternoon open for other plans in Portland — you're not committing a full day. The four-person minimum means you need a small group, but that's also what keeps the experience genuinely private and the fort from feeling crowded.
Casco Bay Cruises: Private sunset tour among lighthousesYou board a private boat for two hours exploring Casco Bay's 14 islands, passing Maine's oldest lighthouse and secluded coves where seals rest on rocks. The boat carries blankets and water; you choose between morning, afternoon, or sunset departure. Groups stay under six people, so the captain can slow down when something catches your eye.Is it for me?Right for small groups or families who want the Maine coast without a crowded tour boat, and who can handle two hours on the water with wind and motion. The sunset departure books fastest, but morning and afternoon cruises give you the same islands and lighthouse with fewer people.
Portland Sunset Powerboat Cruise Casco Bay & LighthousesYou 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.Is it for me?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.
Frequently asked questions
Can I book with free cancellation?
Yes: 11 of the 11 options offer free cancellation, so you can book now and confirm your plans later.
How long do these experiences last?
Most options last up to 2 hours.
Which one is the travelers' favorite?
Portland Harbor Cruise: 4 Lighthouses & Civil War Fort is the travelers' favorite, rated 4.80 out of 5 across 814 reviews.
Are private options available?
Yes, 2 private experiences are available if you prefer a closed group.
