
Aqua Safari Kayak tour departing Southwest Harbor
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 68 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Aqua Safari Kayak tour departing Southwest Harbor worth booking?
Aqua Safari Kayak tour departing Southwest Harbor is a 4-hour experience in Bar Harbor, United States, from $191 per person. It scores 74 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 68 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 74 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (68)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $191 per person
Our Aqua-Safari's are catered to all ability levels. Using the wind, tides, and dynamics of the group to ensure the most enjoyable paddling experience. We feel that a 4 hour tour gives adequate time for relaxation, wildl
What you get
About this experience
Our Aqua-Safari's are catered to all ability levels. Using the wind, tides, and dynamics of the group to ensure the most enjoyable paddling experience. We feel that a 4 hour tour gives adequate time for relaxation, wildlife viewing, and interpretation from our professional Registered Maine Guide staff. Your Registered Maine Guide will decide which route will be the most enjoyable and safest based on wind direction/velocity, visibility and tides. We paddle Western Bay (Pretty Marsh), Blue Hill Bay, and Somes Sound. Most tours are one-way. Occasionally, a tour might be round trip. Your guide will stop on a coastal beach for a short lunch break. Maine State Sea Kayak specializes in quality Ecological Sea Kayak Tours. Tandems are most commonly used versus single kayaks If your party is 8 or more paddlers, a gratuity of 18% will be automatically charged. Parties who split reservations in order to avoid automatic gratuity, but arrive with party of 8 or more will manually be charged.
What's included
Included
- Wear shoes you don't mind getting wet
- Use of all necessary equipment
- GUESTS MUST ARRIVE 40 MINUTES BEFORE SCHEDULED TOUR TIME
Not included
- Gratuities
- YOU MUST HAVE ONE ADULT PER CHILD
What you'll see and do
Acadia National Park
Our Aqua-Safari's are catered to all ability levels. Using the wind, tides, and dynamics of the group to ensure the most enjoyable paddling experience. We feel that a 4 hour tour gives adequate time for relaxation, wildlife viewing, and interpretation from our professional Registered Maine Guide staff. Your Registered Maine Guide will decide which route will be the most enjoyable and safest based on wind direction/velocity, visibility and tides. We paddle Western Bay (Pretty Marsh), Blue Hill Bay, and Somes Sound. Most tours are one-way. Occasionally, a tour might be round trip. Your guide will stop on a coastal beach for a short lunch break. Maine State Sea Kayak specializes in quality Ecological Sea Kayak Tours. Tandems are most commonly used versus single kayaks All participants must be checked in 40 minutes prior to trip time, this is for safety purposes. We are located in Southwest Harbor, please allow ample time for unexpected traffic if traveling from Bar Harbor.
180 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Bar Harbor
ARRIVE 40 MINUTES PRIOR TO TOUR TIME. Yellow building on right just before getting into Southwest Harbor!
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
ARRIVE 40 MINUTES PRIOR TO TOUR TIME. Yellow building on right just before getting into Southwest Harbor!
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Maine State Kayak and E-Bike
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 65 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
65 verified traveler reviews for Aqua Safari Kayak tour departing Southwest Harbor. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Away from the crowds and enjoying nature
Kayaking instruction before we left was thorough and easy to follow. Even though, my whole family had kayaked before we learned a few new things before hitting the water. It was so peaceful and we were the only group out on the water. The selection of where do go made the trip relaxing and no fighting currents and headwinds. Guide was wonderful! We saw seals, eagles, osprey and more! Wonderful experience! Thank you!
via Tripadvisor
Great experience! We saw a whale!
My husband, our four teens, and I thoroughly enjoyed the kayaking adventure. Casey was our guide and he was both informative and personable. We saw a humpback whale, several seals, and porpoises. Our driver Troy was also funny and kind making the trip to launch and the way back enjoyable. Highly recommend, was the best part of our vacation in Maine.
via Tripadvisor
10000% do this tour
11/10 experience. Casey and Troy were both amazing. We’ve never had such a wonderful tour! The wild life we saw was unmatched! Multiple porpoise sitings, lots of harbor seals, a gray seal popped up next to my kyack … I screamed ( sorry buddy to scare you ) , beautiful bald eagles, an osprey with a fish and I still can’t believe it but we got to see a whale with multiple breaches and a deep dive tail show. It was incredible. Luckily the whale headed back out of the bay. It was definitely once in a lifetime trip but even if we didn’t see any of that wildlife, Casey was an amazing guide telling us so much info about the area and Troy was so helpful too. Highly recommend this tour and group!
via Tripadvisor
Perfect 10 of a Day on the water!
One of the best things we did in Maine. Our guide Casey was tremendous and amazingly knowledgeable about everything!
via Tripadvisor
Sea Kayak Excursion
I really enjoyed this trip! Highly recommended.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 24
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 74
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Aqua Safari Kayak tour departing Southwest Harbor: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Bar Harbor.
How much does Aqua Safari Kayak tour departing Southwest Harbor cost?
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Prices start at $191 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Bar Harbor usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Aqua Safari Kayak tour departing Southwest Harbor take?
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Plan for about 4 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Bar Harbor is not rushed.
Is Aqua Safari Kayak tour departing Southwest Harbor worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 74 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 68 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Bar Harbor, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Aqua Safari Kayak tour departing Southwest Harbor?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Aqua Safari Kayak tour departing Southwest Harbor suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Aqua Safari Kayak tour departing Southwest Harbor?
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Around 24 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Bar Harbor can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Bar Harbor and add a light layer if any part of the 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Aqua Safari Kayak tour departing Southwest Harbor start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Bar Harbor within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Bar Harbor?
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Bar Harbor is Acadia National Park access: Park Loop and Cadillac Mountain tours, carriage road bike rides, lobster boat trips, puffin cruises and sea kayaking. Cadillac sunrise reservations are the detail most listings miss. On Outty we rank every Bar Harbor experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Premium Narrated Bus Tour of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park (3.5 Hours), Narrated Bus Tour of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, Guided Ebike Tour of Acadia National Park Carriage Roads. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Bar Harbor?
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June to October, with autumn colour in early October. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Bar Harbor?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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