Shipbuilding History Cruise
See historic Bath’s waterfront, a stretch of river where a majority of the country’s large, wooden schooners were built. We will pass Maine Maritime Museum, Bath Iron Works and the Bath Waterfront Park on our way to Thorne’s Head. We will then cross the river to Day’s Ferry where a large Eagle’s nest is usually inhabited. Returning down river on the Woolwich side of the Kennebec, and depending on the tide, a few interesting explorations may be possible. Learn about the Kennebec ice trade and other little known facts about the area’s heritage. We enjoy a beautiful cruise through Hanson Bay in Woolwich, down the Sasanoa River through Upper & Lower Hell Gates, to Rigg’s Cove and Robinhood Marina. Cruising our way through Goose Rock Passage, we enter the Sheepscot River passing Middle Mark Island where there are usually lots of seals to visit. We proceed to the mouth of the river and Hendrick’s Head Lighthouse, cruise through beautiful Five Islands Harbor to visit a working fishing village and home of Five Islands Lobster Co. Returning to Bath on the Little Sheepscot River and tides permitting, we cruise through the oasis of Little Hell Gate and The Back River.
Please ask for details and we can customize the itinerary to match your interests and time constraints. A 1 hour stop at Five Islands Lobster Co. or The Anchor Bar & Grill is available most days.
Allow 2 Hours.
Richmond & Swan Island
The Kennebec River between Bath and Richmond is breathtaking and full of wildlife. We will travel through Burnt Jacket, past the site of former Boothbay Camp and Burnt Jacket Tidal Mills. We will visit with a large family of seals at Lines Island and continue past Chopp’s Point into Merrymeeting Bay. This is where the Androscoggin, Cathance and Muddy River’s meet the Kennebec.
As we travel north, we will pass many signs of the past history of this river then we will approach Swan Island. If the tide permits we will pass between Swan and Little Swan Island and onward to Richmond. Richmond has a beautiful Waterfront Park where we can visit as desired. There is a take-out store, restaurants, and The Old Goat tavern close by.
Once underway we will continue through the back pass of Swan and Little Swan Island (tide permitting) and return to the main waterway. Heading south we will pass Beans Rock, Thorne’s Head and visit our favorite Eagles nest.
Allow 2 Hours (Add 1 hour for an Annabella’s or The Old Goat dining experience.)
C: Around Arrowsic
Travel on three distinctively different rivers as we circle Arrowsic Island. We will depart Bath and travel down the Sasanoa River, home to many Osprey as well as Bald Eagles, and a famous stretch of water called Upper Hell Gate before entering the Back River. The Back River between Georgetown and Arrowsic Islands is one of Maine’s best-kept secrets, a narrow pass with protected land on both sides and home to abundant wildlife. You will want to have your camera ready. This portion of the trip requires 3/4 to full high tide.
We will pass under the Georgetown Bridge, exit the Back River at Crow Island and enter the Kennebec River to circumnavigate Perkins Island Lighthouse. Heading north on the Kennebeck, we will pass Squirrel Point Lighthouse to starboard and Phippsburg Center to port. Lee Island and its history is worth a brief discussion as we take a heading to the Kennebec River Range Lights. Returning to Bath we will have close-up views of Fiddler’s Reach Fog Station, Doubling Point Lighthouse, and Bath Iron Works (BIW) the only ship building company remaining in Bath.
Allow 2 Hours
D: Boothbay The Back Way
We will depart Bath on the Kennebec and travel down the Sasanoa through Upper and Lower Hell Gate, then through Riggs Cove and Goose Rock Passage into Sheepscot River. After a brief rendezvous with a seal population at Middle Mark Island, we will pass by the famous manual, swing bridge to Barters Island and Trevett.
We will pass Isle of Springs, Sawyer Island, cruise through Townsend Gut, and circumnavigate Boothbay Harbor. We will afford different scenery on our way home by crossing the Sheepscot to Five Islands, then navigating the Little Sheepscot, Sasanoa and Back Rivers to Bath.
Allow 3 Hours
Option 1: Add Lighthouses
From Boothbay Harbor to Burnt Island Light, Ram Island Light, around Squirrel Island, The Cuckolds, around Southport to Hendricks Head Light and then to Five Islands.
Add 1 Hour, weather permitting
Option 2: Add More Lighthouses
After Hendricks Head, we will continue out around Griffiths Head to the Mother of all lights, Seguin Island Light. Then we will enter the mighty Kennebec River at Pond Island Light, proceed past beautiful Fort Popham, Perkins Island Light, Squirrel Point Light, The Kennebec River Range Lights, and Doubling Point Light.
Add 2 Hours, weather and seas permitting
E: THE GRAND TOUR
Conditions permitting, this cruise will encompass most all of the sights of all the trips above. Includes a 1 Hour Rest-Stop in Richmond to do as you like.
Allow 7 HRS
