Sunset Lighthouse Cruise Casco Bay: Four Maine Lighthouses

See four lighthouses and a historic fort in 1.5 hours on Casco Bay

A 1.5-hour sunset cruise on Casco Bay from Portland passes four Maine lighthouses, including the iconic Portland Head Light, and Fort Gorges, a War of 1812 landmark. You bring your own food and drink and watch from Ruth, a 39-foot wooden tour boat built in 1935. A live English-speaking captain and crew answer questions about the harbor sights as seals and seabirds appear along the route.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sunset cruise with lighthouse views

• Board Ruth tour boat
• Cruise along Casco Bay at sunset
• View Portland Head Light lighthouse
• Pass abandoned haunted lighthouse
• See small 1855 lighthouse
• Spot sparkplug lighthouse
• Observe historic Fort Gorges
• Enjoy wine, beer, and meal onboard

The experience

The boat leaves Portland and heads into Casco Bay as the light begins to shift. You'll see Portland Head Light, Maine's most famous lighthouse, silhouetted against the sunset, then pass three others: one built in 1855 and now abandoned-looking, a small sparkplug lighthouse from the same era, and a Coast Guard lighthouse still in operation. Fort Gorges, the brick fortification built after the War of 1812, rises from an island in the middle of the bay.

Ruth is a 39-foot wooden picnic-style boat, so you sit on deck with whatever food and wine or beer you've brought. Lifejackets are provided for adults and children. Infants can sit on a lap or in a specialized infant seat, and strollers are welcome aboard. The captain and crew stay available to answer questions about what you're seeing, but the pace is unhurried. This is a cruise, not a narrated tour with a fixed script.

The 1.5-hour window means you can fit this into an afternoon or evening without it consuming your whole day. Sunset timing varies by season, so check the operator's schedule when you book to confirm the departure time matches the light you're after.

What’s included

• Cruise aboard Ruth with a live English-speaking captain and crew.
• lifejackets for adults and children.
• specialized infant seats available.
• access to an environmentally friendly marine composting toilet.

Before you book

Days and timesThursday to SaturdayDeparts at 16:30Last 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-friendlyInfant seats availableInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Portland Schooner Co.

Is this one for you?At 1.5 hours, this cruise fits easily into an afternoon or evening without eating up your whole day, leaving time to explore Portland's waterfront or Old Port before or after.

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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 are the four lighthouses you see on this cruise?

Portland Head Light is the main one: Maine's most famous and the one that catches the sunset. The other three are all built around 1855: one is abandoned and no longer in use, one is a small sparkplug-style lighthouse, and one is still operated by the Coast Guard. All four are visible from the water during the cruise.

Can I bring food and drinks on the boat?

Yes, Ruth is set up as a picnic-style boat, so you're welcome to bring your own wine, beer, or food. Nothing is provided, but the open-deck setup is built around the idea of bringing a meal and settling in for the sunset.

How long does the cruise take?

The cruise is 1.5 hours, which leaves room to fit it into the rest of your day in Portland without it taking up a whole afternoon or evening.

What is Ruth?

Ruth is a 39-foot wooden tour boat built in 1935 at Handy Boat in Falmouth, Maine. It's a classic picnic-style vessel, meaning you sit on open deck rather than in an enclosed cabin, so you're fully exposed to the sunset and the water.