Casco Bay

Activity Overview

Casco Bay is a beautiful inlet off the Gulf of Maine that is located near the city of Portland, Maine. It is best known for its many islands, which provide the perfect setting for outdoor activities such as fishing, wildlife watching, hiking, cycling, swimming, and sunbathing. One of the best ways to explore the area is by hopping aboard one of the Casco Bay Lines ferry services, which operate year-round between the mainland and the largest of the islands, including Peaks Island, Long Island, and Cliff Island.

Things to Do

• Take the ferry to Peaks Island, where you can explore fascinating the Fifth Maine Museum and the only Umbrella Cover Museum in the world.
• Visit Long Island, which was used as a fueling depot by the U.S. Navy in WWII, and is now home to an art gallery. It's perfect for exploring by bike due to its scenic vistas.
• Enjoy a family walk around Cliff Island, the smallest of the islands visited by the ferry, which is home to approximately 60 people year-round.

Casco Bay Insider Tips

• If you're more interested in a scenic cruise than exploring one of the islands, consider going on the Diamond Pass Run, a seasonal cruise past Peaks Island, Little Diamond Island, and Great Diamond Island.
• In the summertime, consider the Bailey Island Cruise, a narrated tour that will take you past lighthouses, 19th-century summer colonies, and forts, as well as stop on one of the islands for a picnic.
• Go on the Sunrise on the Bay cruise in order to see wildlife like deer, seals, and sea birds while watching local lobstermen and fishermen work.