About Island Cruises
Island Cruises is a family-owned boat tour company operating out of Bass Harbor on the quiet side of Mount Desert Island, roughly 30 minutes from downtown Bar Harbor. For more than 30 years, the operation has offered a relaxed, intimate alternative to the larger whale-watch catamarans, giving visitors a genuine taste of Maine's working waterfront aboard smaller vessels.
The flagship experience is a two-hour nature cruise aboard the 40-foot R.L. Gott, a traditional lobster-style passenger boat limited to 49 guests. The trip passes Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, threads through the outer islands of Blue Hill Bay, and includes a live lobster-trap haul with narration about Maine's fishing heritage. Island Cruises also runs private fishing charters, lighthouse excursions, island drop-off trips, and sunset sails on the 36-foot sailboat Motu Iti.
The company earned Yankee Magazine's "Best Island Tour in New England" award, a testament to its personal touch and knowledgeable captains. Operating from June through mid-October, the small-boat format means every seat has an unobstructed view — no jockeying for position on a crowded upper deck. It is an ideal outing for families, couples, and anyone who wants a quieter, more authentic maritime experience.
