Things to do nearCasco Bay
Casco Bay is a storied coastal inlet off southern Maine, celebrated for its island-dotted waters, working lobster boats, and sweeping Atlantic views.
Casco Bay stretches along the southern Maine coast, sheltering more than two hundred islands, ledges, and islets between Cape Small to the north and Cape Elizabeth to the south. The largest and most accessible of these, known collectively as the Calendar Islands, have supported fishing communities, summer colonies, and small farms for centuries. Indigenous Wabanaki people fished and traveled these waters long before European settlers arrived in the early seventeenth century, and the bay remained a vital commercial corridor through the age of sail and into the industrial era.
Today Casco Bay is best experienced from the water. The Casco Bay Lines ferry service, one of the oldest continuously operating ferry systems in the United States, connects Portland to the inhabited islands of Peaks, Great Diamond, Little Diamond, Long, Chebeague, and Cliff. Each island has its own character, from the bicycle-friendly lanes of Peaks Island to the quieter coves of Cliff Island, where summer cottages sit among the spruce and birch.
On shore, the bay shapes daily life in Portland in tangible ways. The working waterfront near the Old Port remains active with lobster boats, draggers, and pleasure craft, and the smell of salt and diesel is as much a part of the neighborhood as its cobblestone streets. Seafood pulled directly from these waters appears on menus across the city, with steamed clams, crab cakes, and freshly caught finfish reflecting the bay's continuing productivity.
Casco Bay also draws sea kayakers, sailors, and wildlife watchers who come for the harbor seals, nesting seabirds, and the occasional minke whale spotted beyond the outer islands. For anyone drawn to working coastlines where natural beauty and maritime tradition exist side by side, Casco Bay offers an experience that is distinctly and irreplaceably Maine.
7-day forecast
Chance of rainTips for visiting Casco Bay
Visit during late June or early September to enjoy calmer seas, fewer crowds, and the best light for photography along the bay.
Take the Casco Bay Lines mail boat run, which stops at six islands and gives you a genuine look at year-round island life without requiring an overnight stay.
Bring layers regardless of the season, as temperatures on the water can drop sharply even on warm summer afternoons.
Try a classic Maine lobster roll at one of the waterfront shacks near the Portland Old Port, just steps from the ferry terminal.
Arrive at the ferry dock early on weekends to secure a seat on the open upper deck, which offers unobstructed views of the bay and its islands.
Top tours & experiences near Casco Bay
Explore Casco Bay on a 4-Hour Sea Kayak Tour
Island-hop by sea kayak in Casco Bay with a beach break
Sunset & Lighthouses from Working Lobster Boat
Watch Maine's colorful sky from a lobster boat while passing lighthouses and Portland's scenic coastline.
Cruise Casco Bay on a Private 6-Hour Charter
Book a private 6-hour powerboat cruise for up to 6 in Casco Bay
Portland Lobstering Excursion
Haul lobster traps on Casco Bay and see lighthouses in 80–90 minutes
Cruise Casco Bay From Portland on a 1.5-Hour Tour
Ride a 14-passenger RIB for lighthouses, forts, and wildlife in Casco Bay
Tour Mere Point Oyster Farm by Boat From Portland
Cruise Casco Bay to Mere Point Oyster Farm, with 6 oyster samples
Cruise Casco Bay Lighthouses & Islands From Portland
Cruise Casco Bay by powerboat with a max of 6 guests
Wednesday Night Sunset Cruise With Live Music
Sail Casco Bay at sunset with live music and a BYOB vibe
Cruise Casco Bay From Portland on a Private 3-Hour Charter
Charter a private 3-hour Casco Bay cruise for up to 6, with lighthouses and island views
3-Hour Casco Bay Lighthouse & Wildlife Cruise
Cruise Casco Bay with a small group and see lighthouses, islands, and coastal wildlife
Cruise Casco Bay at Sunset From Portland
Cruise Casco Bay at sunset on a classic Maine-built powerboat
Private Full Moon Cruise in Casco Bay
Cruise Casco Bay by powerboat under the full moon, up to 6 guests
Sunset Cruise in Portland, Maine
Cruise Casco Bay at sunset past lighthouses, forts, and islands
Scenic Cruise on Casco Bay From Portland
Cruise Casco Bay on the Joseph S. Kennedy with optional lobster roll add-ons
Portland Lobster Trap & Oyster Shucking Cruise
Haul a lobster trap, shuck oysters, and enjoy a lobster roll in Casco Bay
Cruise Casco Bay at Sunset to Lighthouses & Seals
Relaxing Casco Bay sunset cruise with lighthouse passes and seal spotting
Explore Portland Old Port Culinary Walking Tour
Taste Maine food and drinks on a guided walk through Portland’s Old Port
Cruise Casco Bay on a Portland RIB Boat Tour
Ride a 14-passenger RIB through Casco Bay’s forts, lighthouses, and islands
Cruise Casco Bay From Portland on a 1.5-Hour Charter
Relax on a 1.5-hour Casco Bay cruise with views of Portland
Cruise Casco Bay on a Portland Happy Hour Charter
Relax on a 1.5-hour Casco Bay happy hour cruise for up to 12 guests
Cruise Casco Bay at Sunset From Portland
Relax on a Casco Bay sunset cruise with Portland views
Cruise Casco Bay on a Mimosa Charter From Portland
1.5-hour Casco Bay mimosa cruise for up to 12 guests
Sunset Sea Kayak Tour In Portland
Paddle Casco Bay at sunset with a relaxed, beginner-friendly guided tour
1-Hour Kayak Or SUP Rental In Portland
Rent a kayak or SUP at East End Beach for an easy 1-hour waterfront paddle
Sunset SUP Guided Tour In Portland
Paddle Casco Bay at sunset with a quick SUP lesson and licensed guide
Take a 3-Hour Sea Kayaking Lesson in Portland
Build Part I skills and practice an open-water crossing in Casco Bay
Practice Sea Kayak Rescues in Portland, Maine
Learn capsize recovery skills in a 3-hour sea kayak lesson
Learn Sea Kayaking Basics in Portland 3-Hour Class
Build sea kayaking skills in a small-group lesson on Casco Bay
Race A Kayak Or Paddleboard In Portland
Join a Monday evening kayak or paddleboard race at East End Beach