
Port City Lights Cruise
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 333 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Port City Lights Cruise worth booking?
Port City Lights Cruise is a 1-hour experience in Portland, United States, from $43 per person. It scores 77 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 333 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 77 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (333)
- Duration
- 1 hours
- From
- $43 per person
A fully narrated 60-minute scenic cruise through busy Casco Bay and its innermost islands to see lighthouses, forts, lobster boats, seals, and seabirds. As many as four lighthouses can be seen including a close up view of Portland Head Light, Maine’s oldest and most photographed lighthouse.
What you get
About this experience
A fully narrated 60-minute scenic cruise through busy Casco Bay and its innermost islands to see lighthouses, forts, lobster boats, seals, and seabirds. As many as four lighthouses can be seen including a close up view of Portland Head Light, Maine’s oldest and most photographed lighthouse.
What's included
Included
- Bar & snack bar available
- On-board restrooms
What you'll see and do
Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse
Historic lighthouse constructed in 1897 that marks the west side of the Portland shipping channel.
Pass by without stopping
Portland Breakwater Lighthouse
Historic lighthouse constructed 1855, designed by Thomas Walter, designer of the US Capitol dome and East and West Wings. A smaller lighthouse also known as Bug Light, it features six Corinthian columns around it's base.
Pass by without stopping
Portland Head Light
Maine's oldest lighthouse, commissioned by George Washington. One of the most photographed lighthouses in the county.
Pass by without stopping
Fort Gorges
Civil War era fort in Casco Bay located on Hog Island Ledge. Modeled after Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina. Used as a storage facility in WWI & WWII.
Pass by without stopping
Ram Island Ledge Light
Historic lighthouse on Casco Bay constructed in 1905, a twin of Graves Light off off Boston. Located on a quarter mile of ledge that marks the northern entrance into Portland Harbor.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Portland
The middle window at the blue and white kiosk building, marked Long Wharf on top.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The middle window at the blue and white kiosk building, marked Long Wharf on top.
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 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Portland Discovery Land & Sea Tours
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Rubber soled shoes recommended, high heels not recommended
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 326 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
326 verified traveler reviews for Port City Lights Cruise. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Fun friendly fabulous
Scott was a great narrator and the whole crew was friendly and helpful. Great viewing of the lights , beaches with history and frivolity!
Response from the operator: Thank you for joining us, Nancy! We’re so glad Scott and the crew helped make your cruise such a fun and enjoyable experience. We’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to them!
via Viator
Great Tour from a Boat
This was a tour from one of the boats. It was rather windy this day in addition to a lot of boats on the water, so the boat had a lot of movement of rocking and rolling. The guide was very informative and told us about all the light houses we encountered and the Civil War maritime history. He also told about the various people that lived along the shore line where some areas they were only there during the warmer weather and some actually stayed year around. I was amazed to hear that the water temperature never went higher than 50 degrees.
Response from the operator: Thank you for joining us, Joan! We’re glad you enjoyed the narration and learning about the area along the way. We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience with this very thoughtful review!
via Viator
It was fun but we...
It was fun but we couldn’t see all the we couldn’t get close to 2 of the light houses to see them due to weather
Response from the operator: Thank you for joining us Annabel! We’re glad you still had a fun time despite the weather limiting some of the views. We hope to welcome you aboard again on a clearer day!
via Viator
Very fun and informative
Incredible! A little confusing finding where to check in, but the people around were very helpful. The tour guide was very informative and the views were beautiful! My only real complaint was that it ended too soon!
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re happy the tour made for a memorable outing. We appreciate the feedback about finding the check-in location, and we’ll keep that in mind as we look for ways to make arrival easier. We’re especially glad to hear you wished the tour had lasted longer!
via Tripadvisor
Fun trip
It was a fun experience with a good guide who was knowledgeable, fun and friendly. Invited comments and participation in sighting wildlife.
Response from the operator: Thank you for joining us Shauna! We’re glad you had a fun experience and enjoyed spotting wildlife along the way. We hope to have you aboard again!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 1 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
- 117
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Portland Discovery Land & Sea Tours, who run 4 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 81.2.
See everything Portland Discovery Land & Sea Tours runsWhy this scores 77
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Port City Lights Cruise: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Portland.
How much does Port City Lights Cruise cost?
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Prices start at $43 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 Port City Lights Cruise take?
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Plan for about 1 hour 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 Port City Lights Cruise worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 77 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 333 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 Port City Lights Cruise?
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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 Port City Lights Cruise suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Port City Lights Cruise?
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Around 117 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 1-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Port City Lights Cruise 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.
What is included in Port City Lights Cruise?
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Included: Bar & snack bar available; and On-board restrooms. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Port City Lights Cruise?
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The middle window at the blue and white kiosk building, marked Long Wharf on top. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Port City Lights Cruise offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Port City Lights Cruise?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Port City Lights Cruise wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Port City Lights Cruise if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Port City Lights Cruise?
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Across 333 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, photo opportunities. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
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