Sunset Lighthouse Cruise in Portland, United States
Portland, United States

Sunset Lighthouse Cruise

Outty Ranking 77 4.8 · 270 traveler reviews1.8 hoursFrom $71
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Outty Ranking

77/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.8/5

Based on 270 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Sunset Lighthouse Cruise worth booking?

Sunset Lighthouse Cruise is a 1.8-hour experience in Portland, United States, from $71 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 270 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 (270)
Duration
1.8 hours
From
$71 per person

This 105 minute cruise offers guests a chance to relax and unwind as we make our way around the inner islands and lighthouses of the bay at dusk. Enjoy evening breezes and city lights on this fully narrated tour of Casco Bay. A great way to end a hectic day or begin a romantic evening!

What you get

    About this experience

    This 105 minute cruise offers guests a chance to relax and unwind as we make our way around the inner islands and lighthouses of the bay at dusk. Enjoy evening breezes and city lights on this fully narrated tour of Casco Bay. A great way to end a hectic day or begin a romantic evening!

    What's included

    Included

    • On-board restrooms

    What you'll see and do

    1. Portland Head Light

      The oldest lighthouse in Maine, commissioned by George Washington. Considered the most photographed lighthouse in Maine.

      Pass by without stopping

    2. Liberty Ship Memorial

      Memorial to the WWII naval shipyard. Employing up to 30,000 people, the workers built 30 "Ocean" cargo ships for the British government, starting in 1941, and 236 "Liberty" cargo ships for the U.S., starting shortly thereafter.

      Pass by without stopping

    3. Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse

      Caisson-style light station built in 1897, it marks the west side of the entry into the main shipping channel of Casco Bay. Adjacent is Fort Preble and Southern Maine Community College.

      Pass by without stopping

    4. Fort Gorges

      Fashioned after Fort Sumner, it's a former military fort built on Hog Island Ledge in Casco Bay. From 1858 to 1864, no battles were fought there and no troops were stationed there

      Pass by without stopping

    5. Portland Breakwater Lighthouse

      Built in 1875, also called Bug Light because of it's small stature. It was modeled after a Greek monument, but made of cast iron. It is surrounded by Bug Light Park, popular in the summer for picnics and kite flying.

      Pass by without stopping

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Portland

    Look for a blue and white building marked "Long Wharf" on top. We're the middle window. The cruise departs from here as well.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Look for a blue and white building marked "Long Wharf" on top. We're the middle window. The cruise departs from here as well.

    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 30 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
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    Sunset Lighthouse Cruise in Portland, photo 2Sunset Lighthouse Cruise in Portland, photo 3Sunset Lighthouse Cruise in Portland, photo 4Sunset Lighthouse Cruise in Portland, photo 5Sunset Lighthouse Cruise in Portland, photo 6

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 267 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    6 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Photo opportunities

    6 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    The guide

    4 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Traveler reviews

    267 verified traveler reviews for Sunset Lighthouse Cruise. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    239
    4 star
    19
    3 star
    2
    2 star
    2
    1 star
    5
    Sort
    William_B · October 2026

    Made our day in Portland

    The sunset cruise was just what we hoped for. John shared so much interesting information about the lighthouses and islands we passed, lobstering, and local history; and Howard skillfully navigated usamong the islands and then positioned us to see a beautiful sunset. He also found some rocks where seals and cormorants were resting. Sit on the right side for the best views. Arrive early to get an outside seat on the top deck and dress very warmly.

    via Viator

    hallirusselled · October 2026

    Great experience!

    Wonderful sunset tour! Perfect for the family and great way to learn about the history of Portland and the surrounding islands! Tour guide was a local and had tons of great information to share as well as personal anecdotes - would certainly recommend for a first-time visit to Portland!

    via Tripadvisor

    Shannon_W · October 2026

    Uneventful. W/ some photo ops of lighthouse

    Unfortunately this wasn’t a fit for my husband and I. There were multiple photo ops of various lighthouses which was nice & the staff was very courteous. But the narrator rambled a lot. Interjecting his opinion on various subjects often drifting from topic. He hardly took a breath, which made for a long boat ride. Again, nice staff, just not a fit for us.

    Response from the operator: Thank you for joining us, Shannon, and for sharing your honest feedback. We’re glad you enjoyed the scenery and found our staff courteous. We appreciate your comments about the narration and will be sure to share them with our team.

    via Viator

    P5968DAjoshf · October 2026

    Unique, Educational, and Beautiful

    Fun view of Portland's lighthouses! LT was a delight! He was so knowledgeable about the history of the area and peppered in his own experiences when he was younger. That's something that only a true Maine native can deliver. The sunset was lovely and we saw a few seals!

    Response from the operator: Thank you for joining us! We’re so glad you enjoyed the lighthouses, sunset, and a few seals along the way. We’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to our crew!

    via Tripadvisor

    Amy_Y · October 2026

    Lovely experience would do it again!

    Lovely experience with great crew! The water ways and sites are beautiful. Parking lots mentioned in experience summary have early entry closure so make sure to check the parking hours. Then go extra early if you have a sunset cruise and want to use the suggested lots. Lot entry closed at 2 pm and 3 pm and we cruised at 5 pm.

    Response from the operator: Thank you for joining us and for sharing your feedback Amy! We’re so glad you enjoyed the cruise and our crew. We appreciate the note about the parking hours as well—it’s helpful information for future guests planning their visit.

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    1.8 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
    95
    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 runs

    Why this scores 77

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)85
    Review evidence (18% weight)77
    Booking momentum (14% weight)74
    Value for money (12% weight)66
    Listing quality (10% weight)66
    Local standing (8% weight)62
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Sunset Lighthouse Cruise: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Portland.

    How much does Sunset Lighthouse Cruise cost?

    +

    Prices start at $71 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 Sunset Lighthouse Cruise take?

    +

    Plan for about 1.8 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 Sunset Lighthouse Cruise worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 77 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 270 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 Sunset Lighthouse Cruise?

    +

    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 Sunset Lighthouse Cruise suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Sunset Lighthouse Cruise?

    +

    Around 95 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?

    +

    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 1.8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Sunset Lighthouse Cruise start and how do I get there?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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 Sunset Lighthouse Cruise?

    +

    Included: On-board restrooms. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Where is the meeting point for Sunset Lighthouse Cruise?

    +

    Look for a blue and white building marked "Long Wharf" on top. We're the middle window. The cruise departs from here as well. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

    What languages is Sunset Lighthouse Cruise offered in?

    +

    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 Sunset Lighthouse Cruise?

    +

    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 Sunset Lighthouse Cruise wheelchair or stroller accessible?

    +

    The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Sunset Lighthouse Cruise if the weather is bad?

    +

    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 Sunset Lighthouse Cruise?

    +

    Across 270 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, photo opportunities, the guide. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

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