Private Island Fort Tour in Casco Bay: Boat Cruise & Island Tour
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September 2026
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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 82 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Island Fort Tour in Casco Bay: Boat Cruise & Island Tour worth booking?
Private Island Fort Tour in Casco Bay: Boat Cruise & Island Tour is a 2-hour experience in Portland, United States, from $109 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 82 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 (82)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $109 per person
Board the Elizabeth Grace for this exclusive one-of-a-kind experience. Whether you are a local or visiting from away, the stone fortresses built in the early 19th century in Portland Harbor are always captivating. They a
What you get
About this experience
Board the Elizabeth Grace for this exclusive one-of-a-kind experience. Whether you are a local or visiting from away, the stone fortresses built in the early 19th century in Portland Harbor are always captivating. They are imposing reminders of days not too far gone when the defense of our coastline required their presence. Despite their prominence, the forts are not easy to access for a variety of reasons, and most locals and visitors have never been to Fort Scammel, the only fort in the Harbor to see active combat. Fortunately, the owners of Fort Scammel have partnered with us to offer private tours of this incredible historic site. This is an experience NOT TO BE MISSED! Along the way, we’ll cruise past some of the other great sights in the bay, including the iconic lighthouses. GROUP OF 6 OR MORE? Please reach out to us about private charter options for the best experience possible! Our Fort Tour on a Private Island has a 4 PERSON MINIMUM to operate.
What's included
Included
- Option to purchase additional drinks aboard (credit card only)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Restroom Available At Departure Location / NOT Onboard the Boat
Not included
- Gratuities
- NO Restroom Onboard the Boat
What you'll see and do
At SeaPortland, we are happy to offer a truly unparalleled experience with our Private Island and Fort Tour. With access to Fort Scammel on House Island, a historic site that is privately owned and was inaccessible to the public for decades, this is a tour you won’t find anywhere else in Portland! You’ll have the chance to explore the unique architecture, masonry, and preserved ruins of the fort, with its catacombs-style underground passages and French influences.
60 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Portland
BOAT DEPARTS DOCK RIGHT AT TOUR TIME! Arrive 15 MINUTES before the start time of your tour. Meet inside of the retail store, Portland Beer Hub (320 Fore Street, Portland, ME 04101), in downtown Portland's Old Port. Portland Beer Hub staff will lead you to the dock and to your vessel!
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
BOAT DEPARTS DOCK RIGHT AT TOUR TIME! Arrive 15 MINUTES before the start time of your tour. Meet inside of the retail store, Portland Beer Hub (320 Fore Street, Portland, ME 04101), in downtown Portland's Old Port. Portland Beer Hub staff will lead you to the dock and to your vessel!
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
- SeaPortland
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- 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 80 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
4 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Organization
3 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Good for families
3 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
80 verified traveler reviews for Private Island Fort Tour in Casco Bay: Boat Cruise & Island Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Our favorite Portland experience
Very interesting history. Our guide was passionate about the history of the fort, providing details not available otherwise. We were lucky to have the most excellent weather of the summer and the short boat trip out to House Island was smooth and wonderful, passing several lighthouses and landmarks. One word of caution is this is a moderate activity and not for anyone with a disability that would prevent them climbing elevation or stairs. But if you get tired and have to stay behind there are benches with incredible views!
via Viator
Fun and interesting—whole family enjoyed!
I took this tour with my husband, a teenager and a preteen. Everybody thought it was great! The host couldn’t be better, guide fantastic. Definitely a must do for a Portland Maine trip.
Response from the operator: We're so happy to hear that you had a good time on the Fort Tour! House Island and Fort Scammel are so ingrained in the history of Portland and we're incredibly lucky to be able to highlight it. Thanks for joining us!
via Tripadvisor
A two hour tour. . . .
I went on a Saturday. Our meet up location was a local brew pub, slightly off of the main traffic area. I walked from the Holiday Inn in about 15 minutes so I cannot speak to parking, other than it is expensive and hard to find. The guide met us there, took a walk to the boat and then out to the island for a tour of the South end including grounds and down into the fort. I appreciated the natural history of the area, which is something I never learned in history class back in Kansas. It was a hot and humid day outside so time in the fort was magical. Like truly. It was cool and misty in the gun powder storage area. I spotted actual stalactites and stalagmites from the years of dripping ground water. There is also a limited space campground in this area that we got to view, including a few campers in our tour group that were staying there for the first hand experience. This group offers multiple tours. Ours was called the private island and fort tour in Casco Bay or something similar. A well organized group, and I'm proud to support the locals in my travels .
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for this detailed review, and for joining us on the fort tour! It really is such a unique way to explore Portland and learn about the maritime and military history and the views are something special. Especially great on a hot day! Thanks again for joining us, and we hope to see you again soon!
via Tripadvisor
Intriguing and informative
Great experience. I took my kids on this tour of Fort Scammel. We left on time and enjoyed the short boat ride to the fort. Once there, the guide gave an engaging tour, detailing the history of the fort and the broader area. We got to explore the inside and outside areas. It was just over 2 hours altogether.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for joining us on the Fort Tour! Fort Scammel and House Island are such an interesting way to see Portland and learn more about the extensive maritime history, and we're incredibly lucky to have access to it. We're glad you had fun, and thank you again for visiting!
via Viator
One of a kind experience!
We booked this last minute due to other plans falling through and it ended up being our favorite thing we did on our trip! What an incredible experience and we highly recommend booking!
Response from the operator: We're glad you had fun despite some plans falling through! Planning around is never fun or easy, and we're thankful you joined us on the Fort Tour and had a great time! It's definitely one of the most interesting places in Portland and we're incredibly grateful to be able to share it with others. We hope to see you again soon!
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
- 29
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 74
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Island Fort Tour in Casco Bay: Boat Cruise & Island Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Portland.
How much does Private Island Fort Tour in Casco Bay: Boat Cruise & Island Tour cost?
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Prices start at $109 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 Private Island Fort Tour in Casco Bay: Boat Cruise & Island Tour 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 Private Island Fort Tour in Casco Bay: Boat Cruise & Island Tour 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 82 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 Private Island Fort Tour in Casco Bay: Boat Cruise & Island Tour?
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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 Private Island Fort Tour in Casco Bay: Boat Cruise & Island Tour 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 Private Island Fort Tour in Casco Bay: Boat Cruise & Island Tour?
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Around 29 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 Private Island Fort Tour in Casco Bay: Boat Cruise & Island Tour 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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