They are only about the size of a pigeon, so binoculars were pretty important and zoom lenses on cameras were necessary. We made our way out to Petit Manan Island, and soon we were seeing Atlantic Puffins in the water. So, before we got very far at all, we had four new bird species.īut of course, everyone wanted to see the puffins. They are large sea birds that you may have seen on nature shows plunging into the water from great heights and diving as far as 70 feet.Īlong the way, we saw other sea birds that we didn't have marked off in our field guide such as the Greater Shearwater, the Sooty Shearwater, and the Wilson's Storm Petrel. We may have seen one before, but that was the first one identified for us. A few people got to see those as well as a small pod of Harbor Porpoises that made a quick appearance.īefore we got very far, we saw a Northern Gannet flying by the boat. Our naturalist guide pointed out a Bald Eagle on the rocks and a couple of seals in the water. We went past Egg Island with its small lighthouse. Ĭadillac and Champlain Mountains on the mainland were still shrouded in clouds and fog. Our boat made its way through the harbor past the smaller boats .Īnd the lobster trap buoys. We had hoped to get a seat on the top deck for better whale viewing, but it filled up quickly.
We were told to prepare for 45-degree temperatures out on the water even though it was supposed to be near 80 degrees today. It's a three-deck catamaran with a galley for drinks and snacks. It was supposed to be a warm, clear day, but it was cloudy with a little fog hanging in the air as we boarded the Friendship V. We were supposed to be there by 7:45 to get our tickets for the 8:00 boarding and 8:30 departure. So, we got up early and headed into downtown Bar Harbor. But it is more expensive and the tours book up months in advance. They go to Machias Seal Island which has the largest population of nesting puffins off the coast of Maine and it's a much smaller boat. When we were farther north, we checked into the puffin tour out of Cutler, ME by Bold Coast Charter Company. However, because they take so many people on each tour, the prices are pretty decent. Our only hesitation at going on the tour is that the boat holds 350 people - not exactly the intimate experience we like. Also, we knew that the nesting season for the puffins was just about over, and they would be going out to sea in the next couple of weeks. We both love puffins, and we had never seen Atlantic Puffins, so they would be a "life bird" for us. I love whales - always have, always will. Desert Island, we were struggling to decide whether to get up really early and take in some park highlights, take a sea kayaking tour, or take the Puffin & Whale Watching Tour offered by Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co.
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