
Casco Bay: Private Afternoon Charter on Heart's Desire
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.0/5
Based on 1 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Casco Bay: Private Afternoon Charter on Heart's Desire worth booking?
Casco Bay: Private Afternoon Charter on Heart's Desire is a 2-hour experience in Portland, United States, from $650 per person. It scores 44 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4/5 rating across 1 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 44 / 100
- Rating
- 4/5 (1)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $650 per person
This two-hour afternoon private cruise is the perfect way to experience Maine's coast, your special event, or a family get-together that will never be forgotten. Ride aboard Heart's Desire: designed by famed yacht desig
What you get
About this experience
This two-hour afternoon private cruise is the perfect way to experience Maine's coast, your special event, or a family get-together that will never be forgotten. Ride aboard Heart's Desire: designed by famed yacht designer - John Alden, measures 53' feet and features some of his trademark design elements including a long bowsprit and dramatic, raked transom. Built in 1925 by T.S. Soule in South Freeport, Maine, Heart's Desire has been used mainly for chartering along the Eastern seaboard in New York, New Jersey, and most recently Massachusetts.
What's included
Included
- Eco-friendly marine compostable toilet
- 2-hour private charter
Not included
- Gratuity—for our captain and deckhand, which would be at your discretion but is typically 15-20%.
- Food and Drink—But feel free to bring your own!
What you'll see and do
Fort Gorges
See Fort Gorges from the water, a former United States military fort built on Hog Island Ledge in Casco Bay, Maine, built from 1858 to 1864.
Pass by without stopping
Bug Light Park
Also known as Portland Breakwater Light, this small 30-foot lighthouse built in 1855 can be seen from the boat.
Pass by without stopping
Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse
Spring Point Ledge Light is a sparkplug lighthouse in South Portland, Maine, which marks a dangerous obstruction on the west side of the main shipping channel into Portland Harbor. It was constructed in 1897 and can be seen on your sail.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Portland
Please arrive 15-20 minutes prior to departure to check in.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Please arrive 15-20 minutes prior to departure to check in.
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
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Portland Schooner Co.
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos





Traveler reviews
1 verified traveler reviews for Casco Bay: Private Afternoon Charter on Heart's Desire. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
good experience, unprofessional and rude behavior.
the actual boat ride was quite nice. the crew seemed to know what they were doing. on our boat, leo, and the other male crew member were nice and informative. HOWEVER our boat captain CHELSEA decided she wanted to make a snarky remark regarding me and my entire family as we were getting ready to board the boat. she told another customer that we were “breathing down her neck” as we were waiting to board. she didn’t think we would hear. mind you my family was being patient to board and were the first ones there and waiting. chelsea’s rude comment was beyond unprofessional especially involving another customer and unfortunately gave majority of us a bad taste in our mouth continuing and after the experience.
Response from the operator: Hi Elyse, We are so glad that you enjoyed the sail, and that you had a great experience with the actual boat ride! Regarding the captain's comment, this should not have happened, and we agree that this is unprofessional. We have taken action to correct this, and we are sorry that happened.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 0
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 44
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Casco Bay: Private Afternoon Charter on Heart's Desire: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Portland.
How much does Casco Bay: Private Afternoon Charter on Heart's Desire cost?
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Prices start at $650 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Portland usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Casco Bay: Private Afternoon Charter on Heart's Desire take?
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Plan for about 2 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 Portland is not rushed.
Is Casco Bay: Private Afternoon Charter on Heart's Desire worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 44 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4/5 across 1 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Portland, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Casco Bay: Private Afternoon Charter on Heart's Desire?
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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 Casco Bay: Private Afternoon Charter on Heart's Desire suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Casco Bay: Private Afternoon Charter on Heart's Desire?
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Around 0 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 Portland 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 Portland and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Casco Bay: Private Afternoon Charter on Heart's Desire 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 Portland 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 Portland?
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Portland sells lighthouse and lobster-boat tours in Casco Bay, Old Port food and brewery walks, seal and puffin cruises, and fall foliage runs up the Maine coast. On Outty we rank every Portland experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include The Real Portland Tour: City and 3 Lighthouses Historical Tour with a Real Local, Portland, Maine: Hidden Histories Guided Walking Tour, A Walk Through Time Tour in Portland. 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 Portland?
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June to October, with peak foliage 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 Portland?
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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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