captain fish tours

Cap'n Fish's Cruises

Our ships are the newest and fastest in the region, which means you can spend more time with the whales, puffins, and sights with captains who have the experience sailing the coast of Maine.

P. (207) 613-7339

Located out of Boothbay Harbor, our tours are narrated by on-board naturalists who are experts on the whales, marine life, or birds we may spot on our whale watch. Our ships feature 360 degree decks for great viewings.

Our ships feature the region’s only air-conditioned salons, and comfortable, padded seats to make your trip the most enjoyable in Maine. Our galley carries a large selection of snacks and we have a full liquor license.

We operate the cleanest whale watching fleet on the coast of Maine; our vessel is powered by two new Tier 3 compliant 4-stroke diesel engines that achieve immediate emission reductions beyond what is required by current regulations.

Not interested in whales or puffins? We offer many other cruises that feature close to shore scenic cruising off the coast of Maine on the most comfortable ships afloat.

• Beyond 30 Miles Away
• Beyond Greater Portland
• Discovery & Adventure
• On Water / By Boat
• We're Open: Mid-May to October
• Boothbay Harbor (1 hour from Portland)

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Captain J's Fishing & Pleasure Boat Tours

#1 fishing charter & pleasure boat tour

Come out and go fishing or take a Dolphin tour, canal cruise, sunset cruise or we can head out to Cabbage Key or Gasparilla Island with our licensed Captains that are going to keep you safe and have as much fun as humanly possible. We're excited to see you on the water

• Duration: 2 Hours

Fort Myers Boat Tours

• Duration: 4 to 8 Hours

CJ Fishing Charters

• Duration: 4 Hours Tour

CJ Reef Snorkeling

We offer the best water adventures around

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Damn Good Fishing Guides

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Simon's Story

26 trips and counting.

When we first met Simon in 2020, he was having a hard time finding a guide, so we set him up with Capt. Harry. The day of the trip, Captain Harry only brought baitcasting reels, and Simon reluctantly shared that the trip was “a bit of a letdown” because he normally uses spinning reels.

That didn’t sit right with us, so we worked with Harry to schedule another trip for Simon at no charge, and this one was a grand slam. Simon brought his daughter along and they got to see what a Captain Experiences trip is all about.

Since then, Simon’s booked 25 more trips with us in Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Colorado, and Alaska and left nothing but 5-star reviews. Simon told us, “I’ve had such great trips that I never would’ve found without you. You make it personal.”

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Knock One Off the Bucket List

It's Your Turn To Go Fishing

Ditch the desk. seize the day..

• +1 (262) 299 - 4999
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World's best peacock bass fishing trip!

World class sportfishing.

Bait-casting, Fly-fishing, Catfish, Spinning, and Bowfishing available.

FLOATING HOTEL...

Tracker boats w/ Mercury Eng. and English-communicating local guides.

WORLD'S # 1 BASS BOATS...

where your journey begins

COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE...

your floating-hotel

WORLD CLASS SERVICE...

Rio Negro Queen is the 1st certified Floating-Hotel of Brazil by the Ministry of Tourism.

TOP GEAR...

Michelin Cuisine by Chef Roland Villard

AMAZON RIVER x RIO NEGRO RIVER...

Wilderness amazon....

a true experience

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Michelin Starred Chef, Ecotour activities, Tailored-Made Private Trips, to name a few.

TEAM OF EXPERTS...

focused on details!

FISHING ALL STYLES......

Bait casting, fly-fishing, spinning, catfish and bowfishing

True Amazonia Experience

BEYOND FISHING...

World's best Peacock Bass fishing trip in all Brazil, Amazon

Yes we did it.

The world’s biggest peacock bass (28 lbs) has been caught with Capt Peacock on Feb. 2010 by Bill Gassmann from Iowa and registered by IGFA (International Game Fishing Association). He landed this monster (see pic. on the left) on his first Peacock Bass trip ever. The 27 lbs fish stood as the world record for 17 years, and many people thought it would never be broken.

WORLD’S # 1 BASS BOATS

Your floating-hotel.

World's best peacock bass fishing experience cruises the Rivers of the Amazon, Brazil on board the newest floating-hotel of all South-America - Rio Negro Queen, delivering world record peacock bass fishing and world class gastronomy and ecotours on one of the last unspoiled places on earth. Our team of experts will assist you from the moment you book your trip with us… up until your return home.

World's best peacock bass fishing experience cruises the Rivers of the Amazon, Brazil on board the first certified floating-hotel in Brazil - The Rio Negro Queen, delivering world record peacock bass fishing and world class services combined with authentic outdoors and attention to details on one of the last unspoiled places on earth. Our team of experts will assist you from the moment you book your trip with us… up until your return home.

The Rio Negro Queen

Guests testimonials.

Dear Leonardo "Capt Peacock" Just want to say thank you again, for another great time in life!.

Johnny Morris Founder and CEO of Bass Pro Shops and Tracker Marine (Jan. 2015)

"I've been fishing with Leonardo Leao and the Captain Peacock operation for many years and have always considered them to be the ultimate Peacock Bass outfitter in the Amazon.

Larry Larsen Author of four books on the Peacock Bass Founder of Peacock Bass Association Hall of Fame as Legendary Angler (Feb. 2015)

"This was the most Incredible trip ever! The crew was fantastic and every need and desire was fulfilled! Five Stars for sure, they went above and beyond for all expectations, And the fishing was a Dream come true!"

Kyla Schuehle Burell (Dec. 2016)

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Home » Things to Do » Outdoors & Adventure » Maritime Excursions » Captain John Whale Watching & Fishing Tours

Captain John Whale Watching & Fishing Tours

Whale Watching Tours Captain John Whale Watching & Fishing Tours welcomes groups to experience an unforgettable excursion across Cape Cod Bay to Stellwagen Bank, feeding ground of the world’s largest mammals. As groups depart from Plymouth Harbor, their naturalist, a professional marine biologist, provides an informative description of the whales while guests cruise on one of two open decks or lounge in the climate-controlled main cabin.

NOTE: 2024 Whale Watching Season begins mid-April. Operating Season: April through October Tour time: Approximately 4 hours

• Free motorcoach parking available • Walking distance to Mayflower and Plymouth Rock • Marine Science program for student field trips • Discount group rates • Gift Shop and Snack Bar • Private charters for all occasions (link to transportations page for more info) • Harbor Cruises and Provincetown Fast Ferry

Deep Sea Fishing NOTE: 2024 Deep-Sea Fishing begins April 20 Both beginner and experienced angler will enjoy the action aboard a Captain John deep sea fishing excursion. Groups will experience the excitement on the deck or in the comfort of the climate-controlled cabin complete with food and beverages.

• Bait is always free
• Rod and reel rentals available
• Walking distance to Mayflower and Plymouth Rock
• Spring and fall fishing marathon trips to Stellwagen Bank
• Private Charters available for all occasions

(508) 746-2643

[email protected]

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10 Town Wharf, Plymouth, MA 02360, USA

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Capt. Anderson's Marina - Fishing & Cruising Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Experience Reel Excitement in Plymouth!

Captain John Boats in Plymouth has been fishing the waters of New England for more than 60 years. We’ve learned a few things over time. We know the species of fish our groups are in search of and where to find them. Our crews also know the equipment and fishing techniques, and we share our knowledge to ensure you have a worthwhile experience. Cod, haddock, mackerel, pollack, and flounder — we can find the fish. We have four hour and eight hour trips available.

• Chevron down Can we bring our fish home with us?

Yes. You can bring home all the fish that are of legal size limit. You may also have them cleaned for free and, for a small fee, filleted by one of our crew members.

• Chevron down Can we buy food and beverages on the boat?

We offer full galley service on board where you can purchase hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza and a variety of snacks. Hot and cold beverages are available, and those 21 and over can purchase alcoholic beverages. Our state liquor license prohibits you from bringing your own alcohol on the boat. We only accept cash on board the boats.

• Chevron down Are there restrooms on the boats?

All of our boats are equipped with clean men’s and ladies’ restrooms.

• Chevron down Directions

10 Town Wharf Plymouth, MA 02360

Be early for your departure. You’ll want to get to our dock with time to spare to board our vessel and make yourself comfortable. Allow about 60 minutes for ticketing and boarding.

For parking information visit  parkplymouth.com

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Whale Watch Plymouth

Witness some of the rarest, most graceful mammals in the world on an educational, exciting and exhilarating experience guided by our knowledgeable naturalists.

• Clock 3 - 3.5 hours

Whale Watch Provincetown

Discover the great whales of the North Atlantic during a Provincetown whale watching adventure! Sightings may include humpback, finback, minke, right, and pilot whales.

Buccaneer Cruises

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13313 S Padre Island Dr

Corpus Christi, TX 78418

Serving Corpus Christi Area

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Welcome to Buccaneer Cruises - your premier boat tour and dolphin watch in North Padre Island, Texas! After setting sail from Snoopy's Pier, our expert crew will take you on a journey to see the wonders of the Upper Laguna Madre. During your cruise there is a good chance of getting up close and personal with the local dolphins in their natural habitat. More than 380 different species of birds have been sighted in the area as well! Book your tour today and create memories that will last a lifetime with Buccaneer Cruises! …

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This was a nice, relaxing, slow sunset, and dolphin cruise. The captain and first mate were super personable........ the first mate told us what type of birds and wildlife we should be looking for that were common in the area. we did see the pink spoon bill bird but I wasn't quick enough to get a picture... we also saw numerous other types of birds, and we did see dolphin! The sunset was beautiful and afterword step inside of Snoopy, and have some great appetizers and beverages!!!

See all photos from Malacha F. for Buccaneer Cruises

Made reservations two days ago and trip was cancelled three hours before. Went out and bought nonresident fishings licenses. Money was refunded but fishing license money was not.

Great family experience! The dolphins and sunset were spectacular. The boat was clean and the crew was great. BYOB too. Highly recommend!

Loved our cruise! We did a 6pm sunset/dolphin cruise. Captain and first mate were so friendly and competent. They allowed both my kids to drive the boat. We saw birds, fish, a beautiful sunset and lots of dolphins! It was an amazing and smooth ride. The bathroom was very clean as well. Very enjoyable experience!

Looking out the back of the boat

Captain allowed our 5 yr old to drive the boat!

What a great little cruise! It's not guaranteed that you'll see dolphins cause none of us control them obviously but we lucked out and got to see them! Even if we hadn't, it was a great 1.5 hour outing! Our 2-man crew was awesome! We also got to see some birds (e.g., pelicans, cranes, spoonbills, etc) from a distance, the sunset, and a storm developing. Totally worth it!

See all photos from Elena R. for Buccaneer Cruises

We had a wonderful time. The sunset was beautiful and there were a large amount of Dolphins playing in the area. The host was funny, informative and super friendly. I plan on bringing my parents when they are in town.

Best cruise ever. The deck hands were all very friendly and helpful. If ever in Cabo...gotta check them out

When I spoke with them on the phone they talked about the dolphin. I was told there was a lot of dolphin. We would see them and interact with them. The speaker on the boat was broken. I would not recommend this.

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Tour a piece of Macomb County Jail history before it's gone

It has been 60 to 70 years since some of the buildings at the Macomb County Jail complex went up.

Soon, some of the oldest parts of the complex in Mount Clemens, including one dating to 1954, will be coming down as work starts on a new $228 million Central Intake and Assessment Center.

The public is invited to take a tour of a part of the jail complex that is set to be demolished beginning this summer.

The county will offer tours of the original maximum security area May 15 and May 16 at the jail complex at Elizabeth Road and North Groesbeck Highway, an area the county says was built in the 1960s and resembles Alcatraz . That's the joint on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay that once was a maximum security federal prison.

"The Macomb County Jail holds a unique place in our county's history," County Executive Mark Hackel said in a news release Monday. "As we say goodbye to this iconic structure, we must also look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead with the new Central Intake and Assessment Center. This facility will play a vital role in addressing the needs of our community and improving the safety and overall well-being of our residents."

Tours of the closed-down section will be from noon to 6 p.m. both days on the hour, Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said. He said photos will be permitted of the maximum security area, which had individual cells where those housed were locked down 23 hours a day. The area hasn't been used in about four years, Wickersham said.

Officials said they will offer tours of the D block area in the future. D block, dormitory-type cells with no air conditioning units that reporters toured in 2019, may not be demolished until the end of the year as it is currently housing some of those who are jailed, Hackel said.

According to a video last month on the sheriff's office Facebook page about the history of the jail, the D block originally was 12 cells that could sleep as many as 12 people, sharing one bathroom and shower area.

Reservations are required for the tours. Interested parties, including large groups, such as schools or clubs, can schedule a tour by calling the training division at 586-307-9311. Stairs are required for access to the west entrance of the facility.

The new Central Intake and Assessment Center is to offer services for those with mental health and substance abuse issues. County officials hope it will help address the decades-long gap in mental health care that began when state facilities were decommissioned.

The center is to have more beds for inmates with medical and mental health issues. Last year , when Hackel announced the proposal, he said the county could be in a position to hand off someone committed to a state prison with an assessment and understanding of their substance abuse or mental health issues, thanks to the new center.

According to the county, about 78,000 square feet of the existing jail, including the annex, maximum security and rehabilitation area, will be demolished and cleared starting in the next month or two. The tall tower, which opened in 1987 and has 900 beds, is the most visible section of the jail complex and will remain.

Construction on the new center is set to be completed by 2027.

A new or updated jail has been discussed for years by county officials, with numerous Band-Aid fixes along the way to various sections.

Plans for a new jail were put on hold in April 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hackel and Wickersham decided not to ask voters in August 2020 to vote on a new countywide millage to fund a new lockup.

The new center will be built with federal, state and county funding. No tax increases are expected to the fund the project.

The new center will be about 177,000 square feet, with space for a public lobby, secure passage, staff support, intake and release, court intake housing, medical and mental health, community corrections and general population housing, according to the county .

It's to have 278 beds, some standard and some similar to hospital beds, with medical, mental health and detox treatment wings. There will centralized intake and universal assessment for medical, mental health and pretrial services at booking. There also will be front-end diversion when appropriate through the assessment center, according to the county .

There will be 1,178 beds at the jail complex, in total, once the project is complete.

Contact Christina Hall: [email protected]. Follow her on X: @challreporter.

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Submit a letter to the editor at  freep.com/letters .

Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge - Spring Migration Bus Tours

Take the Blue Goose Bus to Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge to experience the wonders of Spring migration in northwest Ohio. Cedar Point NWR is closed to the public, except for a fishing and paddling access located at the end of Yondota Road in Oregon, Ohio from May 1 – August 31. Cedar Point NWR is approximately 2,616 acres of wetlands and is the largest remaining contiguous wetlands in the western basin of Lake Erie. The refuge includes rare cottonwood dune forest communities located next to Lake Erie which provide critical habitat for migrating songbirds. Tours leave the visitor center at Ottawa NWR (14000 West State Route 2, Oak Harbor, Ohio) at 7 a.m. and return at 11 a.m. Registration opens Thursday, April 4 th at 10:30 a.m. Call 419-313-3236 to register. Bus tours are free. Only one bus tour per group is allowed so that we can accommodate as many visitors as possible.

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Wisconsin's only sturgeon hatchery will host a spawning program and open house May 4 in Wild Rose

Attendees can also tour the original 1908 hatchery and explore the modern operation..

The Department of Natural Resources will host a spring open house May 4 at  Wild Rose Fish Hatchery Education Center  in Wild Rose, the only state hatchery that raises lake sturgeon.

The free event will give attendees a chance to celebrate the annual spring sturgeon spawn and learn more about Wisconsin’s oldest fish species, according to the agency.

The Wild Rose hatchery is a cool- and cold-water facility that raises brown and rainbow trout, coho and chinook salmon, Great Lakes spotted muskellunge, walleye and lake sturgeon. As such, it's one of three state hatcheries that produces both cool- and cold-water fish.

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To help attendees learn more about game fish and angling, the open house will include games and educational activities, including a learn-to-cast station, fish identification activities and the chance to “swim” upriver like sturgeon on their migratory journey to spawning areas.

Other hands-on activities include printing fish on tote bags, a fly-tying workshop, learning how to build a spinner and making a clay sturgeon.

Attendees can also tour the original 1908 hatchery and explore the modern operation. The Education Center will provide guided tours from DNR staff every 45 minutes, with the last tour departing at 2 p.m.

The event will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 4.

Wild Rose hatchery is located at N5871 State Road 22, Wild Rose.

Forced to Change: What’s Affecting Virginia Seafood and Fishing?

C HINCOTEAGUE, Va. ( WFXR ) — Captain Matt Mason looked across Curtis Merritt Harbor and reflected: “Fishing is something I’ve done my whole life.”

Mason, a charter fishing guide, has worked the sea for more than four decades, much of that guiding trips for summer flounder operating his business, Marshland Charters .

Summer flounder is a species of fish native to the mid-Atlantic. Historically, their biomass was centered off the Virginia and North Carolina coasts. A study done by Virginia Tech researchers has found that biomass is shifting north because of warming ocean temperatures.

While there is still a strong population of summer flounder, the migration has forced commercial fishermen and recreational guides to change.

“We’ll fish for flounder right on up to mid-June, even late June sometimes,” said Mason. “Then we get the whiting, kingfish we call them, they move in. Of course, the croakers and small blues, they move in also.”

Sportfishing guides like Mason have adapted by targeting other species, or by fishing for flounder earlier.

“We start earlier in the year, fishing the colder waters while the flounder are moving in,” Mason said.

Commercial harvesters have changed by running further north. Ocean harvest numbers are set at the federal level and come under the guidance of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.

Because historically, the bulk of the summer flounder biomass was off the Virginia and North Carolina coasts, commercial fishermen from both states had the highest harvest quotas. They still do, and many flounder are still commercially harvested from the waters of both states, but to fill the quotas, commercial netters are traveling waters off of New York and New Jersey. Though the fish are caught elsewhere, because they are brought to port in Virginia or North Carolina, they are counted as part of the Virginia or North Carolina quota.

“They’ve either migrated or the center of their biomass has shifted northward,” said Virginia Tech researcher Dr. Holly Kindsvater. “Whereas historically, most flounder were off of Virginia and North Carolina, now they’re up off of Long Island and New Jersey, and even moving north toward Nantucket and Massachusetts.”

What that could mean is fisheries managers could shift flounder harvest quotas to fishermen in those states, as well.

Commercial anglers are already adapting. Many have already fished for other species like black drum, croaker, and sea bass. Warming water temperatures have meant fish found further south are now showing up in Virginia waters.

“We used to catch no red snapper here, now we catch red snapper here,” said commercial fisherman and restaurant owner Ray Twiford. “The weather’s changed. It’s got warmer; more fish or different species showing up here all the time.”

Twiford owns Ray’s Shanty Restaurant near Chincoteague. He serves customers the fish and seafood he catches in his restaurant and at a seafood market he operates.

“I enjoy it, it gives me peace to go out on the water to catch fish,” Twiford said. “It gives me something that I can serve to people that I can catch myself and know how fresh it is.”

On the Chesapeake Bay, there is a similar scenario playing out. Striped bass (striper) is a primary target for commercial and sport anglers there, and though striper numbers have dropped in recent years, the population remains strong. The weather has played a role in the drop. As harvest limits have changed, recreational guides have adapted by targeting other species along with striped bass.

“My bookings this spring are about 50 percent down, but we’re making it,” said Captain Ray Carver of Loosen Up Charters in Deale, Maryland. “We’re trying to catch other species like blue catfish and cobia.”

Carver fishes the Chesapeake where emergency regulations have been placed on striped bass to ensure larger fish have a chance to spawn because larger females generally produce more eggs. Carver says catching other species will provide income and provide recreational anglers the chance to experience fishing on the Chesapeake Bay.

As for commercial harvest, Virginia is one of the top seafood producers in the country. The seafood industry accounts for a billion dollars a year in Virginia and produces thousands of jobs directly and indirectly. Virginia is the top oyster producer on the East Coast.

Virginia producers supply many local seafood restaurants that have staked their reputations and their success on access to fresh seafood.

Lisa MacGarvey is a manager at the Great Machipongo Clam Shack in Nassawadox. She says she has not seen a drop in local seafood availability, yet.

“The watermen culture here has a very rich and long history,” said MacGarvey. “We have amazing blue crabs, oysters, clams, all of that resource here fresh and local.”

Oysters and clams make up a good part of what MacGarvey serves. While warming ocean temperatures could have an impact on them in the future, so far it has been minimal.

Warmer temperatures have also created some opportunities. Until recently, there was no food-quality shrimp harvest in Virginia. That has changed, and for the past few years, a fledgling shrimping industry has sprouted in the Virginia Beach area. It is anticipated to grow.

While shrimp are good news, it does little to offset what is happening in towns along the Chesapeake and the Atlantic where commercial and recreational fishing have provided the backbone of the local economy.

While numbers and biomass are shifting, species like flounder are still there, just not in the way they were before.

“I always try to emphasize this is a productive stock; that the fish grows incredibly fast, it should be able to be fished sustainably,” Kindsvater said.”

“We have a lot of people come from out of town because the eastern shore is usually where we catch the first flounder,” said Jimmy Vasiliou of Captain Steve’s Bait and Tackle in Chincoteague.

While people in places like Chincoteague are still having to adapt by targeting other species and changing the time of year they fish, they are also embracing tourism, especially eco-tourism. Chincoteague is connected to Assateague Island and the Atlantic seashore by a causeway. Assateague is known around the world for its herd of wild ponies.

There is no development on the beach. It is natural and pristine and sits within the Assateague Island National Seashore, part of the U.S. National Park Service.

Dozens of hotels have been built on Chincoteague in the past decade, and much of the tourism is directed at the eco-tourism opportunities on Assateague, as well as the wild horses. For a village once known for only its fishing, survival has meant a shift to tourism.

“They are smart people that live here and have worked on the water for generations,” said Cindy Faith.

Faith is the Executive Director of the Museum of Chincoteague Island and it is her job to chronicle and preserve the history of the island. She says change is inevitable and Chincoteague will evolve to meet the challenge.

“They know how to pivot, and I think that’s what’s happening here.”

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Spectacular Kennebec River Cruise

Up To 7 Lighthouses And Navy Ships! A Fall Favorite For Leaf Peepers!

Quick Details

• Hour Glass Duration: 3 hours

Open Sea and Close to Shore Cruising!

This fabulous 44-mile trip offers a variety of nature as well as historical and modern man-made structures!

From raptors to ducks or great blue herons to black guillemots, the list of bird sightings is long. You might see terns at their nesting site on Pond Island in the spring and loons in the fall. Look up at the colorful changing leaves in September to see other migrating birds, and don’t forget to look down for seals and porpoises!

With close to shore and open sea cruising you’ll even pass through Upper and Lower Hell Gates, see up to 7 lighthouses, and historic Fort Popham – dating back to the colonial days. Then let your captain bring you up to date on the latest modern day ship building projects at Bath Iron Works.

In the fall, this is one of best trips for leaf peepers to view the colorful fall foliage!

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• Hour Glass 2 hours

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Pick from the Cap’s Special Cruise, Lil’ Bit O’Maine: Inner Islands Cruise, or the Bold Coast: Outer Islands Cruise! Or do a different one each day!

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Pemaquid Point & John's Bay Cruise

Join us on one of our favorite tours and see Pemaquid Lighthouse and Beach, South Bristol, Christmas Cove, and other local landmarks.

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Join the Dani Tribesman Reggae Band, currently based in Boothbay Harbor, for an enjoyable sunset cruise aboard the Harbor Princess.