Early fall in Maine is the best time of year – the evenings are becoming chillier but the days are still long enough to bask in the sunshine, crowds are dying down, and the hustle and bustle of summertime is beginning to transition into a slower fall pace. There is also no better time to enjoy a Portland sunset cruise with Sail Portland Maine! Below, we’ve put together a list of what to expect on your sunset sail with us.
1. Intimate Two-Hour Trips
Our crowd-free trips are intimate because the Eleanor Hawkes, our sailboat, has room for up to six guests. In fact, it’s one of the smallest chartered cruises in Portland, which is what makes our trips so special. We want to give you a private-feeling sail, set apart from the packed, crowded sails of larger companies.
If you have a group of fewer than six people and would like the boat to yourself, we offer private charters based on availability that allow you full control over the sail. Generally our sails last for approximately two hours, though we can easily accommodate longer sails by request if you’d like to stay out on the water longer!
2. “Bring Your Own” Policy for Food & Beverages
You can bring any food or beverages you’d like aboard your sunset cruise – that goes for adult beverages, too! We know there’s no better way to experience Maine’s stunning coast than with a refreshing drink in hand, so we encourage you to bring anything that will make your trip that much more enjoyable! There is room below deck for small coolers, and we can also advise on local restaurants if you’d like to order takeout to bring with you for the trip.
3. Experienced Captaining
The Eleanor Hawkes is charted by Captain Ian, who has many years of experience captaining and crewing ocean vessels. From commercial supply boats to private sailing yachts (even occasionally for royal families!), he’s truly done it all. You can expect to hear some fascinating stories throughout your trip, and he is extremely knowledgeable about sailing in Maine so can answer any questions you may have.
4. Epic Scenic Views
Sunset is the best time of day to take in the breathtaking scenery of Portland’s Casco Bay and coastline. From the historic Fort Gorges to the Portland skyline, this is a view of the city you really can’t find anywhere else. As the sun sets on our evening sunset sail, the water becomes glassy and peaceful, creating true magic that is impossible to recreate!
5. Bustling Wildlife
Particularly at sundown, the wildlife in Portland’s Casco Bay come out to feed and enjoy the last rays of the day. Teeming with wildlife, the bay is a complex ecosystem with some of the most incredible species in the region. Marine animals that inhabit Casco Bay include a huge variety of fish, such as sunfish and sturgeon, seabirds like osprey and eider ducks, harbor seals and even the occasional whale or Atlantic dolphin, if you’re lucky! There is nothing more exciting than spotting one of these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat with the sun setting in the backdrop.
Let Sail Portland Maine provide you with the best Portland sunset cruise around the Casco Bay. Relax and unwind as the sun sets while you glide through the bay’s calm waters and enjoy the scenery our state has to offer! For a unique experience you’ll talk about for years to come, reserve your chartered sail with us today.