More than 4,000 people embark on puffin watching cruises with Audubon naturalists each summer. Two companies offer this unique opportunity to view the thriving colony at Eastern Egg Rock, Muscongus Bay, Maine. Pictured at left is the Island Lady, one of the tour boats that "visits*" Eastern Egg Rock

 

Hardy Boat Cruises, based in New Harbor on Maine's Pemaquid Peninsula, runs a puffin cruise seven evenings a week between mid-June and the beginning of August. The hour and a half tour departs New Harbor for Eastern Egg Rock where the boat slowly circles the island for 30 minutes

In addition to Puffins, passengers on both cruises have the opportunity to view Maine's largest colony of endangered Roseate Terns, 300 of which nest among more than 3000 Arctic and Common Terns. Black Guillemots, Common Eiders, Laughing Gulls and many other seabirds are easily viewed. Harbor Seals, Minke whales, Northern Gannets and Storm Petrels are also often seen.

 

Boothbay Harbor is also a point of departure for puffin cruises. CAP'n FISH's Island Lady leaves mid-morning for a two and a half-hour tour four days a week in July and early August. The tour features Boothbay Harbor sights, including several lighthouses and a seal ledge, before heading to Egg Rock for a thirty-minute tour around the puffin colony.

Although we are often able to come quite close to puffins, they are comparatively small birds, standing only ten inches tall, and binoculars are strongly recommended to enhance your overall experience.

Puffin watching tours sail rain or shine, so it is important to bring appropriate attire including a sweater or windbreaker and sunscreen.

Both cruise lines recommend reservations. For more information contact Hardy Boat Cruises at 800-2-PUFFINS. Information on CAP'n FISH's tours is available by calling R.N. Fish and Son Inc. at 800-636-3244.