The National Geographic Sea Lion hosts an eight-day voyage around Maine's coast. Enjoy the shores of Massachusetts and Maine as well as their coasts, refreshing landscapes, rocky beaches, and lobsters throughout the route. Paddle, paddleboard, or Zodiac your way around the rocky islets to observe the first restored Atlantic puffin colony and the only national marine sanctuary in the state of New England. Eastern Egg Rock is a great place to see seabirds. Your journey comes to an end in Portland, Maine.
Highlights
Search for whales in the Stellwagen Bank Marine Reserve
Visit the offshore seabird colony of Eastern Egg Rock
Explore the artist communities of Provincetown and Monhegan Island
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Overnight, National Geographic Sea Lion has sailed out of Boston Harbor and arrived at the tip of Cape Cod: Provincetown. Choose to tour the many galleries in town, featuring the thriving community of local artists, or opt to explore the Cape Cod National Seashore further south. Learn about the history of the Cape when on a visit to the Wellfleet & Eastham communities, where we'll tour the Three Sisters Lighthouses and the beautifully restored Atwood-Higgins house. Construction on the house was completed in 1730, making it likely the oldest house on the Cape. George Higgins donated the house and the many outbuildings on the property to the National Park Service in 1961. And of course, as we continue our tour of the National Seashore, we are always on the lookout for wildlife. The Cape is home to 450 species of amphibians, reptiles, fish, birds, and mammals.
As we make our way north towards the New Hampshire/Maine border, we sail through some of the world’s richest cetacean waters with the possibility at this time of year of watching finback, minke, and pilot whales. With luck, we may encounter seabirds including Leach’s storm petrels and Manx or great shearwaters. This afternoon, National Geographic Sea Lion arrives at Isles of Shoals—a photographer’s dream and the place where 19th Century New England poet Celia Thaxter lived and worked. We will visit the Isle of Shoals Marine Lab, where the staff will show us around the island and speak about the success of their breeding colonies of Common, Roseate, and Arctic Terns.
Meaning “out-to-sea island” in the Algonquian language, Monhegan is a special place, rich with history, as the island often fell in dispute between warring European countries. At times it was completely abandoned, but at other times, the island was utilized as a British fishing camp and later an artist’s colony beginning in the late 19th century. Today, watched over by the Monhegan Island Lighthouse, this remote outpost has a full-time population of about 70 residents. After our Monhegan morning, National Geographic Sea Lion makes its way to Eastern Egg Rock. Setting precedents and establishing protocols for seabird colony restoration, Eastern Egg Rock was the first project of its kind, beginning in 1973. The seven-acre treeless island saw the last nesting of Atlantic puffins in 1885, and after an extensive restoration project there are now 172 nesting pairs on the island. It is truly an environmental success story.
Labyrinthine Penobscot Bay beckons adventurers, and today we heed the call, exploring the many coves and islets by Zodiac and, conditions permitting, by paddleboard or kayak. These coves are home to numerous interesting invertebrate species, including mussels, barnacles, sea urchins, and sea anemones.
Spend the day winding in and out of the many islands that bedeck the Maine coastline. We will put kayaks and paddleboards in the water, explore the ins and outs of the shoreline by Zodiac, and enjoy the lure of the rugged island vistas. This afternoon we will meet up with a local lobsterman and learn about his way of life. In the evening, we enjoy a traditional Maine lobster boil on the beach.
A day of exploration awaits us as our adventure continues up the coast to the Schoodick Peninsula, located in Acadia National Park. Today, traversing this less-traveled point of land will bring us into beautiful spruce forests and along rocky inlets fed by small creeks. The day is wide open here, and we go where our whim takes us.
Day 8: Portland | Disembark
1 Breakfast
This morning, National Geographic Sea Lion arrives in Portland where we disembark.
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Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
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Cat 1
Main Deck Cabins #300-305. Conveniently positioned between the dining room and lounge, these cabins feature two lower single beds, a writing desk and a large window.
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Cat 1 Single
Main Deck Cabins #300-305. Conveniently positioned between the dining room and lounge, these cabins feature two lower single beds, a writing desk and a large window.
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Cat 2
Bridge Deck cabins #100-104 and Upper Deck cabins #200-212, 215. These well-located cabins include two lower single beds, outside access and a window.
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Cat 2 Single
Bridge Deck cabins #100-104 and Upper Deck cabins #200-212, 215. These well-located cabins include two lower single beds, outside access and a window.
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Cat 3
Bridge Deck cabins #105, 106 and Upper Deck cabins #214, 216, 217, 219. These cabins feature a seating unit with table, outside access and two large windows. Upper Deck cabins include two lower single beds which can convert to a double bed and a pull-out
Notes
Single supplement varies by itinerary. A solo traveler matching program may be available but is subject to availability.
Kids under age 18 save $500 per person
Rubber boots are not included on your cruise; please supply your own. Rubber, waterproof boots that are mid-calf or higher, with a strong, ridged non-skid sole (essential for wet landings) are highly recommended. Click here for information about rubber boots rental.
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 6 Dinners
7 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Assistance by the onboard National Geographic Photography Expert
Beer, wine, cocktails, and spirits aboard the ship. We are also pleased to offer a selection of super premium wines and liquors that are available for purchase.
Complimentary Starlink-enabled Wi-Fi internet is available to all guests aboard Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic fleet, enabling email, messaging, and social media.
Park and site entrance fees, special access permits, and port taxes
Excursions, hotels, and airport transfers, as indicated in the itinerary
Selection of exploration tools curated to your destination, such as Zodiacs and glass-bottom boats, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, snorkeling equipment (including wetsuits, masks, and fins), and other state-of-the-art gear
Guidance and company of leading expedition staff
All meals as indicated in the itinerary, both aboard and onshore. Meals are inspired by regional cuisine and locally sourced where possible
Hors d’oeuvres inspired by regional cuisine and locally sourced where possible
24-hour access to snacks, premium coffees and teas, non-alcoholic beverages, and filtered water
Presentations on your destination by expedition staff and expert guest speakers
Complimentary reusable water bottle to fill at onboard water refill stations
The services of a physician, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, or paramedic where available
Morning stretch classes and 24-hour access to exercise equipment where available
24-hour access to lounges, observation decks, library stocked with regionally relevant literature, and other shared spaces
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Crew gratuities
Laundry, spa treatments, scuba diving, Wi-Fi and phone services (except when indicated as included)
We strongly recommend our guests to take Travel Protection Plan. A Plan with comprehensive coverage to protect you from cancellation fees, costs incurred due to trip delays/interruption, damaged or lost baggage, medical assistance, and evacuation during your travels
Airfare (except flights when indicated as included), pre- and post-expedition extensions, additional hotel nights, and private transfers (except when indicated as included)
Travel protection plans and passport, visa, and immigration fees
Enhanced and premium Wi-Fi plans, which may enable video chat, web browsing, and streaming (connectivity permitting)
Map
When to Go
Jan
Feb
Mar
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May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
This was our first trip to South America and we were a little nervous. But Adventure Life made things so easy! All our questions were answered before we left, and our guide, Vidal, was amazing! He gave us enough space to explore without rushing us along. He also knew where the best picture taking opportunities were, which was great.
Lindsay Gompf
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
7 hours ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
