Last updated August 3, 2026
A whale watch is one of the great days out from here — and it's also the boat trip most likely to surprise people, in both directions. So here's the honest version: what you may see, what the ride is actually like, and how to tell whether it's the right boat for your crew or whether a calmer cruise would suit you better.
Who runs the trips
The main operator is Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co., which runs the whale watches on large, fast catamarans built to reach the feeding grounds and get you back in good time. The same company also runs nature and sightseeing cruises, sunset nature cruises, and puffin cruises — so if the open-ocean whale watch isn't the right fit, there's a gentler option under the same roof.
Departures are seasonal — reserve ahead and confirm current times directly with the operator.
What you may see
On a good trip you might spot whales, dolphins, seals, and seabirds — but the honest word is might. These are wild animals in open water, and while they're seen often, they are never guaranteed. The captains and naturalists head for wherever the whales have recently been feeding, so most trips are rewarded — but some days are quieter than others, and that's the deal you're signing up for.
The honest realities
This is the longest and most exposed of the local boat trips. It runs out into open ocean, so the ride can be bumpy, and it takes a good chunk of your day. A few things worth knowing before you book:
- Season — seasonal, roughly late spring to fall
- Weather — cancels for wind and rough seas
- Booking — book ahead, especially July–August
- From the house — departs the Bar Harbor waterfront, ≈30 min away
If you're prone to seasickness
Take a motion-sickness remedy before you board rather than once you feel it. Stay out on deck in the fresh air rather than down in the cabin, keep your eyes on the horizon, and pick a calmer-looking forecast day if your dates allow. If any of that sounds like a chore, that's a fair sign a shorter, sheltered cruise is the happier choice.
Who it suits — and who'd prefer a calmer boat
The whale watch is a fantastic call if you're up for a longer day on the water, you don't mind a bumpy ride, and seeing a whale in the wild is high on your list. If you have very young children, anyone who reliably gets seasick, or you simply want a shorter and more relaxed outing, you'll likely have a better time on a calmer lobster or nature cruise closer to shore — you'll still see seals, seabirds, and the bay's lighthouses, without the open-ocean chop.
Somewhere in between: a puffin cruise runs out to the nesting islands and can be a longer trip in its own right, so treat it like the whale watch when you're weighing time on the water and sea conditions.
For all the boat options side by side, see our boat tours guide; to get your bearings in town, the Bar Harbor guide.
Common questions
Are you guaranteed to see whales?
No. Whales, dolphins, and seals are spotted often but are never guaranteed — these are wild animals in open water. Operators go where the whales have been feeding, but some trips see more than others, and a small share see none.
Who runs whale watches from Bar Harbor?
Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. is the main whale-watch operator out of Bar Harbor, running large fast catamarans. The same company also offers nature cruises, sunset nature cruises, and puffin cruises.
How far is the boat from the house?
The boats depart from the Bar Harbor waterfront, roughly a 30-minute drive from Eagles Nest. Give yourself extra time in July and August, when Bar Harbor parking fills up.
Will I get seasick on a whale watch?
You might, because the whale watch is a longer trip out into open ocean and the ride can be bumpy. If you're prone to motion sickness, take a remedy before you board, stay on deck in the fresh air, and keep your eyes on the horizon.
Do the boats run all year, and do they cancel?
No — the boats run seasonally, roughly late spring through fall, and they cancel for weather and rough seas. Book ahead in July and August, and confirm current departure times when you reserve, since schedules change with the season.