About Downeast Windjammer Cruises
Downeast Windjammer Cruises offers a uniquely Maine sailing experience aboard the historic four-masted schooner Margaret Todd, one of the few windjammers still operating in Bar Harbor. Departing from the Bar Harbor Inn Pier multiple times daily during the summer season, the Margaret Todd carries passengers on two-hour cruises through Frenchman Bay with stunning views of Acadia National Park's mountains, the Porcupine Islands, and the working waterfront of Bar Harbor. The vessel was built in 1998 specifically for this route and is one of only a handful of four-masted schooners sailing in the United States.
Passengers can choose from daytime sailing cruises, sunset sails, and occasional special-event voyages. On every trip, the crew raises the sails by hand and passengers are welcome to help hoist the halyards or simply relax on deck and enjoy the breeze. The naturalist crew points out harbor seals, bald eagles, and osprey as the schooner glides past the islands. During the fall foliage season, the views from the water are particularly spectacular as the mountains of Mount Desert Island blaze with color. No sailing experience is necessary — the Margaret Todd is a stable, comfortable vessel with ample deck space.
Downeast Windjammer Cruises stands out because they offer an experience that can't be replicated by motorized tour boats — the quiet, wind-powered sailing creates an atmosphere of calm and authenticity that connects passengers to Maine's deep maritime heritage. The crew's storytelling about the history of windjammers, the local lobster industry, and Acadia's geology adds depth to every voyage. It's consistently rated as one of Bar Harbor's must-do activities and frequently sells out during peak summer weeks.
