Casco Bay
Casco Bay
4.5
About
Ship traffic here runs the gamut from lobster boats to oil tankers and cruise lines; also look for the many photogenic lighthouses.
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4.5
339 reviews
Excellent
251
Very good
79
Average
5
Poor
2
Terrible
2
Passenger26235579100
1 contribution
Aug 2024 • Family
Horrible place to stay, old and not well maintained property but biggest issue,,
we felt , “deceived “
booked online non refundable room charge using pet friendly filter and got to the hotel big sign on the door no pets. Got there very late and room non refundable so had to stay. Next morning we were chased down in the parking lot by receptionist to get our room number. That day the hotel themselves charge an unauthorized charge on my account. After calling twice and speaking with manager he stated the hotel was not responsible for online content and they would not refund their charge. No one ever ask once about being a service animal,,,
we felt , “deceived “
booked online non refundable room charge using pet friendly filter and got to the hotel big sign on the door no pets. Got there very late and room non refundable so had to stay. Next morning we were chased down in the parking lot by receptionist to get our room number. That day the hotel themselves charge an unauthorized charge on my account. After calling twice and speaking with manager he stated the hotel was not responsible for online content and they would not refund their charge. No one ever ask once about being a service animal,,,
Written 17 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pky_pook
hpt498 contributions
Mar 2022
Peaceful, sightseeing worthy, and relaxing. It took a while to reach here but once in the region, we were simply delighted. Many we saw were locals and very helpful and friendly. I want to return in the summer to fully take in the landscape, aura, and feel of the area.
Written 17 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
flowerlady64
Durham, UK514 contributions
May 2011
We followed advice and took the 3 hour narrated mailboat trip out on Casco Bay. We visited several islands which were attractive but the added bonus was watching day to day life on the islands and the boat. Everything from bags of compost to a kichen were off loaded and picked up by residents waiting on the ferry landing. It was a very good value trip which we would recommend to anyone.
Written 24 May 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
larry E
Chattanooga, TN2,244 contributions
If you want ot get away take a charter or fery ride to some of the islands in the bay. Some are like neat little towns you can walk around in five minutes or some you can rent bikes and ride around. Some islands like long island is almost nothing but nauture.
I love peaks island the best!!
I love peaks island the best!!
Written 19 November 2005
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jake23
New Jersey6,839 contributions
Aug 2020
Beautiful bay alongside Portland. You can relax and just look at it or take a boat tour to see some of the great coastal sites in and outside Portland.
Written 1 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Benjamin
San Luis Obispo, CA57 contributions
Jul 2013 • Friends
Having grown up in Maine in the summer, there are many things I have to do every time I go back and taking a ride on Casco Bay lines is one of them. The mail boat run services most of Casco Bay's main populated islands with a passenger ferry and delivers their mail and freight as well as offering passenger service. The captain gives a great narrated tour of the areas history. It takes around three hours with a chance to get off and walk around on Chebeague Island in the middle if desired. Casco Bay is absolutely beuatiful and its a great way to spend a hot day. You will see lots of seals, dolphins, birds and the occasional occasional whale. Plenty of lobstermen working the channels too.
Written 3 October 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cometdogamundo
Portland, ME38 contributions
Jul 2017 • Friends
The perfect low budget way to get a beautiful tour of Casco Bay and the Islands is to buy a ticket on the mailboat out of the ferry terminal right on Commercial Street. Sit outside if the weather is good near one of the speakers because often the captain tells lots of great stories and history of the area.
Written 8 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carolyn Y
Portland, ME34 contributions
Jun 2014 • Couples
What a pleasure it is to take one of the many daily ferries that cross Casco Bay. The waters are gorgeous and you will see everything from ferries carrying locals and tourists to the islands, lobster boats, sailboats, kayaks and canoes. One of the best ferry rides in the Casco Bay is the mailboat, which is a terrific three-hour narrated cruise.
Written 30 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeff S
Texas Gulf Coast, TX1,153 contributions
Apr 2013 • Solo
This scenic Bay extends 17.8 miles (28.6 km) in southern Maine from Cape Small (north) to Cape Elizabeth south). It covers about 214 square miles (554 square km). Depending on the criteria one chooses, anywhere from 136 to 758 islands dot it. Access to most of its islands is by private watercraft. Efficient and low-cost year-round public ferries of Casco Bay Lines serve many of the inhabited islands. Bridges connect Sebascodegan, Bailey, Orr’s, Littlejohn, Cousins, and Mackworth Islands to the mainland. Kayaks, motorboats, sailboats, tour boats, ferries, tugs, cargo ships, oil tankers, and cruise ships ply the waters. Among the historic and photogenic lighthouses on the Bay are Portland Head (1791), Portland Breakwater (1855), Spring Point Ledge (1897), Ram Island Ledge (1905), Halfway Rock (1871), Cape Elizabeth (Two Lights) (1874), and Echo Point. Among its fascinating historic fortifications are Fort Gorges (1865), Fort Levett (1898), Fort McKinley (1906), Fort Scammel (1808), Fort Preble (1808), and Fort Williams (1872). No matter how you get out on the Bay, and no matter what time of year, be sure to bring a camera! I've been on it in every season and I enjoy everything about this jewel of the Maine coast.
Written 28 June 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SingingSeagull
Hillsborough, NC59 contributions
Jul 2011 • Friends
We took the ferry to Peaks Island. Great view on the twenty minute trip for just $7.50 round trip. We explored and rented bikes and cycled arounf the island. Absolutely fabulous time. We even returned and made another very delightful scenic trip the next afternoon as we had two spare hours. Great value . make the trip and buy a deliscious ice cream at the ice cream shop near the ferry. You'll love it.
Written 18 July 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
how much time I can reserve on a day for enjoying the ferry line (hop on-off) between islands?
Written 30 June 2019
If you just want the experience of riding the ferry and getting out on the water, 2 hours is plenty. We got up early, bought coffee and pastry at the bakery across from the ferry terminal, rode out and back, and were back in our hotel room before our (grown) kids woke up.
Written 1 July 2019
I’ll be doing my first trip to Portland in May . I’m very excited ! I am interested I seeing Casco Bay as well . I would love to take an inexpensive trip there and back as I don’t drive . My question was the best way to go and if there are restaurants there and bathrooms ? Thank you ☺️
Written 9 March 2019
Many great places to eat in and around Portland, and you can drive around the inner bay part of Casco Bay, or take a ferry (which is cheap!) to Peak's Island in the outer part for a quick jaunt to a cool little island. When we visited Peak's Island in September we rented a cart and drove around the island in an a couple of hours, stopping at all the sites. Fort Allen Park on the Eastern Promenade gives you a lovely view of the bay, as well. You can spend as little or as much as you want and have a great day anywhere in the area! OOB/Portland has been a vacation destination of mine for years.
Written 9 March 2019
Will be in Portland October 21-22. Was wondering what the best tour would be? 60 age group. 4 people.
Thank you,
DJ
Written 29 September 2018
Simply take tthe ordinary Casco Bay Ferry. You can stop ad get off and on at any of a half dozen islands and explore and get back in,. Te tours that exist are not realy worth the extra money.
Written 29 September 2018
What is the best way to tour islands in Casco Bay area? We will be arriving by cruise ship mid October. Appreciate any suggestions.
Written 18 September 2018
Casco Bay Lines is a local ferry service, not a cruise line. That said, the best way to see the most islands in Casco Bay inexpensively is probably on the mail-boat runs. Now that CBL is on its fall schedule, ferries make fewer trips than summer, so check its website for options. Most islands are uninhabited; of the inhabited ones, most have very few places to shop or eat after Labor Day, so plan to bring food/drink with you. Naturally, all options hinge on when the cruise ship arrives/departs and how long it is in port. The CBL terminal is a short walk from where most cruise chips dock in Portland.
Written 25 September 2018
Hi Tony, I will arrive in Portland this Saturday, July 28 and stay for three days before going to the Bar Harbor area. If you don't mind sharing, which specific tours and activities did you enjoy in Portland? I should have already made reservations and plans - didn't get it done yet!
Written 27 July 2018
We took a hour lighthouse tour on a boat very pretty. If it's raining I recommend the art museum.
Written 27 July 2018
Hi! I can't seem to find this 6 hour tour anywhere; just kayak tours. Can you help?
Thanks!
Written 13 August 2015
Rick B
Florida Keys, Florida
247 contributions
Hello, you can go online to cascobaytourlinescom or go down to commercial st -to there office and book on the sunset cruise which takes a couple of hours, it`s awesome-I`ll be there in two weeks taking the sunset cruise again it`s the best !!!!Good Luck !
Written 14 August 2015
it appears tickets are to specific islands. is there a day pass to hop on and off at different islands? Is that what travelers are referring to as the "mail run" trip? what is the fee? thank you.
Written 3 August 2015
The boat goes from island to island delivering mail and packages. Locals use it to get from their home island to the mainland for shopping.
You could get off and walk around but not sure there is anything to see other than private homes.
Most people just ride the boat from start to finish.
Bring a jacket. Gets windy.
Don’t remember the fee but was very reasonable.
Written 22 April 2018
What is the best cruise, boat ride (day trip) to take and do they run the last week of March. Also, what kind of weather can we expect on average the last week of March?
Written 18 January 2015
if you're interested in Maritime history, Portland Harbor Museum is a small charming spot to visit. Check out Schooner Fare's Portland Town on youtube for local music.
Written 19 January 2015
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