Machias Seal Island - Frequently Asked Questions
Booking Information
Planning for the Tour
On the Tour
Additional Information
The new dynamic pricing structure for the 2025 season will be as follows:
May 26-June 13 and August 5-10: $275 per person
June 14-June 29 and July 28-August 4: $300 per person
June 30-July 27: $325 per person
Additionally, a reservation service fee of 6% is charged by our provider for all online bookings.
What dates will be available in 2025?
Our tours will run Monday, May 26 through Sunday, August 10. Depending on weather and bird activity, this is subject to change.
When can requests for tour reservations be made?
We will begin accepting online bookings for the 2025 summer season on our website home page beginning Tuesday, March 11 at 9:00 AM EST.
Please note that spaces on the Machias Seal Island tour are quite limited and book on a first come first served basis. Due to the high demand for this tour and the limited capacity, we will be unable to accommodate everyone seeking a reservation. We regret this limitation and appreciate your understanding.
Please note: Island landings are not guaranteed
Is payment required when making an online reservation?
Yes – our secure online reservation system accepts all major credit cards. All payments are fully refunded in the event a trip is cancelled due to unfavorable weather/sea conditions.
How do I book a tour online?
Beginning on March 11th, click the "Book Now" button on the home page of our website. Select the date and number of tour spaces and enter all the needed information such as name, phone number, e-mail and credit card details. Once the booking is completed, you will receive a confirmation e-mail.
Can I make reservations for more than one day?
Yes, reservations for consecutive or multiple dates can be made, provided there is availability, unfortunately you can only reserve 1 day at a time.
Why do you require full payment in advance?
Visitor access to Machias Seal Island is restricted by longstanding sanctuary regulations which protect the nesting seabird colony from excessive disturbance – therefore spaces on our island landing tours are very limited, typically only 15 individuals per day.
Given such a limited tour capacity over a relatively short operating season, those who cancel on short notice or outright no shows have a significant impact on our business – requiring full payment for a booking helps ensure that such reservations are made in good faith. We appreciate your understanding!
What is your cancellation policy?
In the event of tour cancellation due to unfavorable weather/sea conditions, any advance payments are fully refunded.
For cancellations received prior to April 14: Any advance payments are fully refunded.
For cancellations received beginning or following April 14: Refunds are subject to a $30 per person cancellation fee.
For cancellations received less than 7 days from the scheduled tour date, payments are non-refundable.
If my scheduled tour is cancelled due to bad weather, can I go on the following day’s tour?
We do make every effort to accommodate individuals on the next day or a subsequent day’s tour based on space availability, however given the limited capacity of our tours, we unfortunately cannot guarantee a re-booking.
The bottom line is that any offshore birding excursion is a highly weather dependent proposition and there is an inherent degree of uncertainty in offering (and participating in) a tour of this type. When cancellations do occur, there is very little flexibility in our scheduling due to the limited capacity of our operation.
Is this an appropriate tour for children? Is there a child's rate?
Because the length of the tour (as long as 5+ hours overall), the cost and the essential nature of the tour (watching birds for an extended period, a portion of that time spent remaining reasonably quiet in a confined space), we feel that this tour is not appropriate for children under 8 years of age.
Due to the limited number of visitors permitted to visit the island, a child's rate is not available.
Do you have a waiting list for tours that are booked full?
Due to the high volume of interest in our tours along with the limited capacity, we do not maintain a waiting list. Should tour spaces on a given date become available due to a cancellation or other reason, the resulting availability will be displayed on our online booking calendar.
When is the best time to see the puffins?
Anytime from the first of June until early August is an ideal time to visit the puffins – naturally the most satisfactory experience tends to be when weather and sea conditions are favorable, however since neither can be controlled nor accurately predicted very far in advance (and since even summer weather here on the Maine coast can be fickle, with fog, chilly temps and showers always a possibility), there is always an element of uncertainty in participating in this particular offshore tour.
From a purely statistical perspective on general area weather patterns, the most likely period of favorable weather in the summer (and therefore perhaps the best time to go) is during late July or early August, but keep in mind that each day can be quite different.
Well, I really want to see the baby puffins!
Not very likely – Puffin chicks hatch on the island during mid to late June. The young birds are then nurtured and raised in their rock and earthen burrows and fed by their parents throughout late June, July and early August.
Puffins do not have an open, exposed nest but instead protect themselves by nesting around and under rocks as well as digging tunnels in the turf areas of the island. The young birds generally stay out of sight to avoid predation – if you do see a chick or a juvenile puffin, consider yourself lucky!
It would be during the late June - early August time period when the adult puffins are raising their young that the opportunity to observe feeding behavior (adults bringing small fish back to the burrows), while not guaranteed, would be most likely.
Are there places to stay in your local area?
Check out our area accommodations page for a listing of suitable local lodging.
How is the island landing conducted? Is it difficult?
Island landings involve participants transferring from the tour vessel into a large outboard powered skiff which is navigated to a designated landing area on the rocky shoreline. Depending on the sea conditions, there is a possibility of wet feet, although most days we manage to keep everyone completely dry. While assistance is provided at every stage of the landing, conditions are slippery, and a degree of physical mobility and surefootedness is required.
Please note that landings on Machias Seal Island can be hazardous, and while every effort is made to insure safety, participation in such activity is at your own risk.
Do I have to go ashore on the island?
No. If a participant is not comfortable with the landing, or if going ashore is not desired, they are welcome to stay aboard the tour vessel, which also provides an excellent opportunity to view the puffins and other seabirds.
What happens if the sea conditions do not allow landing on the island?
Due to its exposed, offshore location, landing on Machias Seal Island can only take place when sea conditions safely permit. Please note: Island landings are not guaranteed – a breezy day and/or a rolling sea is sometimes part of the Bold Coast experience, and obviously cannot be controlled.
Fortunately, positioning the tour vessel close by and around the island provides an equally excellent opportunity to observe puffins and other seabirds - on most days one is apt to see as many, if not more, birds on the water as on land.
On days when landings are not possible, the excursion will bring participants to the waters surrounding the island where all the nesting species can be easily observed from the deck and, unlike other so-called 'puffin trips' on the Maine coast, close range viewing of many puffins is assured.
When considering the possibility of an island landing, the safety of our tour participants is paramount, and the Captain's decision on whether to land is final.
Assuming that an island landing is possible, what can I expect while ashore?
Those who land on the island are escorted from a concrete ramp on the rocky shoreline up to the middle of the island to an orientation area, where information about your visit will be provided.
You will then be escorted to special enclosed observation blinds, which hold 3-4 participants each, where you can view the seabirds at extremely close range. Puffins will generally be positioned within 3-6 feet of the blind itself, providing for an unequaled opportunity for viewing and close range photography.
How long will I be ashore and how much time will I be permitted to remain in the blind?
Island visits typically are about 2 hours. While visits ashore as well as blind time are subject to changing weather and sea conditions, participants usually are provided at least one hour of time in the blind.
Is there much walking required on the island? Is it difficult terrain?
No. Access to all visitor areas on the island is via wooden boardwalks and flat grassy paths - no rough terrain. The longest stretch of walking is from the landing area to the visitor orientation patio, which is about 400 feet.
Is a passport required to visit Machias Seal Island?
No passport or other form of identification is required to visit the island.
Where does the tour leave from?
Our tours depart from Cutler Harbor – see our map and directions page.
What time does the tour depart?
Departure times vary each day due to weather and tidal conditions, but the majority of our tours are scheduled in the morning. Departure times can be as early as 7 am but a later departure is also a possibility. Because of this, an email will be sent the day before a scheduled tour with the correct departure time.
How long does the tour last?
Tours that land on the island are approximately five hours. Non-landing tours may be somewhat shorter.
What should I bring along?
Things to remember to bring are: Warm clothing (very important!), suitable wind or rain proof outerwear, sturdy footwear, hat, camera, binoculars, bag lunch or snack. Raingear is also a good idea if showers are forecast.
Conditions on our area waters are generally colder than most folks expect, however temperatures and conditions can vary so we strongly recommend dressing in layers, which allows you to adjust to suit the conditions encountered. Remember that you will likely be spending time on the tour vessel's open deck as well as out in the open on an offshore island for a few hours, so think about what sort of attire will keep you comfortable.
What about restrooms?
Restroom facilities are available on the island as well as aboard the tour vessel.
How many puffins and other seabirds nest on Machias Seal Island?
Approximate numbers of nesting seabird species are as follows:
5000 Atlantic puffins
4000 Razorbills
800 Common murres
800 Arctic terns
200 Common Eiders
Machias Seal Island is far and away the largest puffin colony on the Maine – it's a "birdy" place, to be sure!
Will I see anything else besides seabirds?
In addition to the puffins and other nesting migratory seabird species, the tour will provide an opportunity to view seals, usually both Common seals and Grey seals. Additional possibilities are Bald eagles and, on late season trips, porpoises, dolphins and pelagic seabird species.
How long does it take to get to the island?
Travel time to the island is 45 minutes to one hour, depending on weather and sea conditions.
Will I get seasick on the tour?
Sea conditions on this particular tour can vary – ranging from flat calm (less likely) to significant motion aboard the tour vessel. Participants should realistically expect to experience at least some motion on the boat at some point during the excursion. Sea conditions where waves or swells exceed 4-5 feet will result in a tour cancellation.
While it is difficult to offer hard and fast advice since susceptibility varies widely from one individual to the next, a general recommendation is that if you have experienced problems with motion sickness in the past, then taking precautions for this tour is probably a good idea. Or otherwise consider whether you wish to participate on such a tour to more exposed, offshore waters.
Common anti-motion sickness products include Dramamine, Bonine and ginger is a natural product which is reputed to have anti-motion sickness properties, and many people swear by. There are also anti-motion sickness skin patches which are available by prescription only. Lastly, some folks use special wrist bands (known as Sea Bands) which are purported to work using acupressure. These are some of the better known remedies.
Is Machias Seal Island wheelchair accessible?
Unfortunately, no. Machias Seal Island is a remote, rocky offshore island with very limited facilities for visitors.
Are pets allowed on the tour?
Pets are not permitted on the tour.
Is tipping allowed?
Tipping is not expected or necessary however if you have received above average service or if the tour has exceeded expectations, you are welcome to show your appreciation to the Captain and/or crew member!
BOLD COAST CHARTER CO.
P.O. BOX 364
CUTLER, ME 04626
207-259-4484
e-mail: info@boldcoast.com