One of the most popular experiences for family travel in New England entails sighting the huge and fascinating giants of the sea. The coast of Maine offers lots of opportunities for whale watching. Frequently spotted off the Maine coast are Humpback, Minke, Northern Right and Fin Whales, as well as Atlantic White-Sided Dolphins and Harbor Porpoises. You might even see Sei Blue or Sperm whales.
On the southern Maine coast, the popular resort town of Kennebunkport boasts two different operators of whale-watching cruises. First Chance Whale Watch, in business for 10 years, has three tour boats, one you can even charter for a private cruise. First Chance also offers lighthouse tours. The newer New England EcoAdventures carries a maximum of 20 people on each cruise, and every seat on the boat has 360-degree views.
Not far north of Kennebunkport is the lively city of Portland, where Odyssey Whale Watch boats include narration about the sights of Casco Bay as you cruise to whale feeding grounds. Along with whales, porpoises and dolphins, you might see Basking sharks, Ocean Sunfish and sea turtles.
In Bar Harbor, the gateway to Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. offers a variety of ocean nature experiences. Along with whale watching, book trips for lobster fishing and seal-watching, or take a four-hour tour to the park’s Baker Island and its lighthouse. For a rare treat, take a trip by catamaran to see puffins on the islands in the Gulf of Maine.
North of the Acadian Peninsula, there are more opportunities with Island Cruises in Bass Harbor, and Robertson Sea Tours in Milbridge. Closer to the Canadian border, boats depart from the small seaport town of Lubec. With Downeast Charter Boat Tours, spot whales in the Bay of Fundy and ride The Old Sow, the largest tidal whirlpool in the Western Hemisphere, just off the shore of Deer Island.
For a chance to see whales without stepping onto a boat, hike the trails at West Quoddy in Lubec, beginning at the iconic striped lighthouse. Humpback, Minke and Finback whales are frequently seen in the narrows between West Quoddy and the steep red cliffs of Grand Manan Island, in New Brunswick, Canada.
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