Nicknamed “The Boating Capital of New England” by many mariners, Boothbay Harbor is a boater’s paradise of harbors and inlets. Attracting visitors of all kinds, this charming coastal town offers fantastic ways to explore the water and nearby islands. Here are the best boat tours & rentals in Boothbay Harbor Maine.
Best Boothbay Harbor Boat Tours
There are a large number of sailing tours and charters in Boothbay Harbor. They offer a range of lobster fishing, whale watching, lighthouse sightseeing, and more.
Tidal Transit Kayak
With two docks to accommodate high and low tides, Tidal Transit Kayak offers boat tours of the harbor with skilled kayakers. The guides are eager to share what they know about the ecology and history of the area. You can learn a lot while you enjoy the scenic coastline during the harbor and wildlife tours. Along with sunset tours, you can customize a tour.
Schooner Eastwind
For schooner tours and sailing charters, hop aboard the 65-foot Schooner Eastwind. It’s the largest schooner in the harbor. During its two-hour sailing tours, you can see lobstermen, sea wildlife, lighthouses, and remote islands. It runs up to four tours every day.
Cabbage Island Clambakes
Established in 1956, Cabbage Island Clambakes offers unique day cruises on the Bennie Alice to Cabbage Island. When you arrive, you get to enjoy a traditional clambake that’s prepared over open fire by the water. After the meal, you can explore the island or relax until the boat returns to Boothbay Harbor.
Cap’n Fish’s Cruises
If you book sailing cruises with Cap’n Fish’s Cruises, you have a few options. It runs the original 3.5-hour whale watch tour in Boothbay Harbor, which guarantees that you’ll see sea birds, whales, and other wildlife. If you don’t, then the company will give you a standby ticket for another whale watch or one of its other sailing cruises.
The other options include a 1.25-hour harbor cruise with seals and lighthouses and a separate 1.25-hour harbor cruise that includes lobster fishing. You can even combine a puffin watch with the whale watch or book private sailing charters.
Balmy Days Cruises
Whether you’re looking for day cruises or sailing charters, Balmy Days Cruises can accommodate. It offers sailing tours to Monhegan Island, where you’ll have almost four hours to enjoy the scenery, hiking trails, lighthouse, and museum. Balmy Days also offers one-hour harbor tours, 1.5-hour sailing cruises, two-hour mackerel fishing trips, and 2.5-hour lighthouse tours.
Schooner Lazy Jack Cruises
Offering day sails and private sailing charters, the 48-foot Schooner Lazy Jack was built in 1947, making it the oldest windjammer on Boothbay Harbor. During its two-hour schooner tours, you can help the crew sail to Burnt Island Light, Ram Island Light, and Squirrel Island. You could see bald eagles, harbor seals, and osprey on your adventure.
Midcoast Sailing Company
Helping you explore Boothbay Harbor, Midcoast Sailing Company offers day sails on the Wind’s Will. During the half-day sailing cruises, the 30-foot sloop takes you to Linekin Bay, Burnt Island Light, Squirrel Island, and Rams Island Light. The points of interest on full-day cruises also include Cuckolds Lighthouse, Fisherman’s Island, Monhegan Island, and Damariscove Island.
Breakaway Sportfishing and Sightseeing Tours
For the best fishing opportunities, Breakaway Sportfishing and Sightseeing Tours uses the most comfortable and largest charter boat. You get to choose from three locations for your angling adventure. If you prefer a scenic sail instead, you can choose from a variety of sightseeing tours of the harbor coastline and remote islands.
Sweet Action Charters
You get lobster fishing and sightseeing opportunities with Sweet Action Charters. Mackerel fishing on Kennebec River, Back River, Sasanoa River, and Hockomock Bay are options too. There may even be a chance for striper fishing. Along with boat tours, the company offers family outings that combine fishing with lunch or dinner at Five Islands Lobster Co. in Georgetown, which is just on the other side of Sheepscot River. Boat charters are available as well.
Best Boat Rentals in Boothbay Harbor
If you want to explore Boothbay Harbor without a guide, you certainly can. Along with boat tours, Tidal Transit Kayak offers boat rentals. Each kayak and stand-up paddleboard rental includes basic instruction, a life jacket, and a paddle. Each SUP rental also includes a wetsuit.
If you prefer sailboats or powerboats, West Harbor Recreation Inc. has the boat rentals that you want. Whether you want to go fishing, island hopping or tubing on the water, you can rent a vessel for a half-day, full-day, or week.
Best Boat Tours & Rentals Beyond Boothbay Harbor
While Boothbay Harbor is the prime location for boating in Maine, there are many other boat rental and tour companies nearby. Take a look at some of the best ones below.
Located in Bristol, Maine Kayak offers boat rentals and tours for sea, lake and whitewater kayaking. You can book a variety of 2-hour, half-day, full-day, and multiday rentals and tours.
In Damariscotta, Midcoast Kayak offers canoe, kayak and SUP rentals and tours. It has recreational and sea kayaks. Its boat tours include an explorer tour, oyster ecology tour, sunset tour, and full moon tour.
Also in Damariscotta, you can join Damariscotta River Cruises for day cruises on the Damariscotta River. Some of Its boat tours include oyster farming, seal watching, wine or beer tasting, and fall foliage viewing. You can even book private boat charters.
In Bath, River Run Tours offers scenic day cruises along the ocean rivers and shorelines of Maine. You can hop aboard the River Runner, which is a specially designed pontoon boat. You’re welcome to take any food and beverages that you want too.
Offering lobster boat sailing tours and sailing charters, Sail Muscongus Day Tours has two windjammers. The Sarah Mead is a 42-foot wooden lobster boat. During the lobster tour, you’ll go where the wind blows and have the chance to see porpoises, seals, and lighthouses. The Paula Anne is a 25-foot wooden catboat that offers Boothbay Harbor island tours. It even hosts tours at sunset.
Best Place to Stay Near the Best Boat Tours & Rentals in Boothbay Harbor Maine
For the most convenient access to Boothbay Harbor boat tours and rentals, you can stay at Flagship Inn & Suites. Most of the boat tours & rentals in Boothbay Harbor Maine are within a five-minute drive of our hotel. Before you head out, though, don’t forget to start your day with our complimentary breakfast and full coffee bar.
