
Port City Lights Cruise
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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
4.8/5
Based on 313 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 78 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 313 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 78 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (313)
- 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 o
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 308 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Good for families
3 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
308 verified traveler reviews for Port City Lights Cruise. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
We have taken family on...
We have taken family on Casco Bay Ferries. The experience was good. I have seen this boat before from land at Portland Head light park. But the experience on the water was amazing and commentary was great. Thanks to all the crew.
via Viator
Great Portland cruise!
Great cruise! Nice hour cruise around the Portland area of Casco Bay. Perfect day and we were able to see all 6 lighthouse houses, even though two were many miles away and very small in the distance. Tour guide added some humor and told use that the perfect day was free of charge. Well worth the time.
via Tripadvisor
Wonderful
The Captain and Tour guide were excellent!
via Tripadvisor
Great trip/know where you need to meet.
Great trip. Great views. Very good information. Get there early because the best seats go to first in line. The only confusion, although Viator sold you the ticket, don't look for any Viator signs or expect anyone to know who they are. The boat cruise goes by a different name and finding the launch spot is a bit tricky.
via Viator
Wonderful Introduction to Portland
Our guide (I think his name is Mark) was terrific, and my family really enjoyed our time on the water!
via Tripadvisor
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
- 110
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 78
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 78 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 313 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 110 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.
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