Boat Tours -- The best way to see the timeless Maine coast around Boothbay is on a boat tour. Nearly two dozen tour boats berth at the harbor or nearby, offering a range of trips ranging from an hour's outing to a full-day excursion to Monhegan Island. You can even observe puffins at their rocky colonies far offshore.
Balmy Day Cruises (tel. 800/298-2284 or 207/633-2284) runs several trips from the harbor, including an excursion to Monhegan Island on the 65-foot Balmy Days II, which allows passengers about 4 hours to explore the island before returning (see the section on Monhegan Island). The cost is $30 for adults, $18 for children. If you'd rather sail, ask about the 90-minute cruises on the 15-passenger Bay Lady ($18). It's a good idea to make reservations.
A more intimate way to tour the harbor is via sea kayak. Tidal Transit Kayak Co. (tel. 207/633-7140) offers morning, afternoon, and sunset tours of the harbor for $30 (sunset's the best bet). Kayaks may also be rented for $15 per hour or $50 per day. Tidal Transit is open daily in summer (except when it rains), located on the waterfront at 47 Townshend Ave. (walk down the alley).
