Private Sunset Charter on a Vintage Lobster Boat with Drinks

5.0 (45 reviews) 2 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

45 reviews

5.0

MONHEGAN at sunset hour — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

No better way to see Portland Head Light from the water — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Leave the crowds behind and step aboard a vintage Maine Lobster Boat for a private 2-hour sightseeing and lighthouse viewing charter, ending with a breathtaking Maine sunset.

We’ll navigate through the islands of Casco Bay, passing by Portland’s most iconic coastal sights, including historic 19th-century forts, lighthouses, and the stunning Maine coastline.

This experience is perfect for families and small groups, offering a completely private and personalized tour just for you.

First round of alcoholic drinks included – Enjoy a local Portland, Maine beer or a glass of wine as you take in the view!

Day Cruises Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Sunset Cruises Water Tours Sightseeing Cruises Excellent Quality Weather Dependent - Weather-Proof

At a glance

Duration: 2 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–6
Guide: English
Operated by: Casco Bay Custom Charters, LLC

Ages: Children (0–4 years) · Youth (5–20 years) · Adults (21–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Licensed Captain
Included: Private Charter for up to 6 guests (cost is a flat rate)
Included: Alcoholic beverages: Enjoy a local Portland, Maine beer or a glass of wine on us!
Included: Bottled water
Included: All Fees and Taxes
Included: Local Guide
Included: On-board restrooms: Restroom on board
Included: Carbonated beverages: Non-alcoholic beverages are available for kids or anyone who prefers an alternative
Included: Cooler, glassware, plates, & utensils for guest use

Not included

Not included: Parking in Portland's Old Port
Not included: Gratuity for your Guide

Itinerary

Casco Bay

Passing by

With over 200 islands that are home to both tiny coastal fishing towns and Maine's largest city, Casco Bay is vibrant, scenic, and a great way to experience Maine's incredible beauty, world-class cuisine, and wonderful boating opportunities.
Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse

Passing by

Get up close to Spring Point Light and nearby Fort Preble, a small gun emplacement built as a part of Portland's Harbor Defenses. In the early years, the lighthouse was not connected to the mainland by the granite breakwater that exists today, and ships that went on the wrong side of the lighthouse went aground on shallow ledge.
Bug Light Park

Passing by

This is the smallest and first of four lighthouses we will encounter on our cruise through Casco Bay. On windy days, keep an eye out for gatherings of expert kite flyers and their colorful kites. Sometimes there's even a giant purple octopus floating lazily in the breeze!

Just around the corner from Bug Light is a statue of the bow of a Liberty Ship. Many ships were constructed here during WWII, including the S.S. Jeremiah O'Brien, which is a popular tourist attraction in San Francisco and one of the only surviving Liberty Ships.
Portland Head Light

Passing by

See Portland Head Light, Maine's oldest and most iconic lighthouse, from the water. Commissioned by George Washington and constructed starting in 1791, this lighthouse has been an important navigational beacon and local landmark for more than 2 centuries.

The lighthouse has withstood hurricanes and global conflicts. German U-boats sunk a US Navy ship just 15 miles off the Head Light in the waning days of WWII.
Fort Gorges

Passing by

As the most conspicuous stone fortress protecting Portland Harbor, Fort Gorges is a landmark visible from much of Casco Bay, which is exactly why it was built on this rocky outcropping a short distance from Peaks and Little Diamond Islands and the mainland itself. The fort could fire more than a dozen cannons on attackers coming from any possible sea route, but was never used in active battle. Technological advancements in artillery during the Civil War rendered it too vulnerable to be useful. The fort did serve as a storage facility for the army during World War II, when underwater mines, electromagnetic sensing cables, and other systems were used to help protect Portland and Casco Bay from German attack.

Remember, Portland was home to a large shipyard during WWII and was the start of a pipeline that supplies oil to Montreal and eastern Canada, so the region was of high strategic importance even in more modern conflicts.
Peaks Island

Passing by

See some of the most incredibleEnjoy fantastic views of the scenic cliffs on Cushing Island and the tree-lined streets and quaint cottages of Peaks Island.

Once home to several amusement parks that were served by direct steamer routes from New York, Peaks is now a quiet island neighborhood that is technically part of the City of Portland but has a small-town feel all its own.

By the time the fall colors are in full view, most seasonal residents have returned to their usual homes, and Peaks is home to just a couple hundred hearty year round souls who must take a ferry or water taxi to get to the mainland.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Meet at the back of the parking lot between Gilbert’s Chowder House and Dry Dock in Portland’s Old Port. Arrive 20 mins early to find parking. Wait at the top of the boat ramp next to Boone’s Fish House & The Porthole deck. Your deckhand will meet you at the ramp just before tour time

End point

Meet at the back of the parking lot between Gilbert’s Chowder House and Dry Dock in Portland’s Old Port. Arrive 20 mins early to find parking. Wait at the top of the boat ramp next to Boone’s Fish House & The Porthole deck. Your deckhand will meet you at the ramp just before tour time