Bold Coast Charter Co.

Reviews

Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.

  Cooke Harvey
8 months ago
My wife and her friend went out to see the puffins and really had a spectacular photography day. You are dependent on the weather and the company makes the safest choice for you. Great people.

  Melinda Petit
9 months ago
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  James Pettit
3 years ago
I truly believe this is a very unique once in a lifetime adventure. On the boat expect some Maine facts and folklore from Captain Andy, as he is incredibly knowledgeable and hilariously entertaining. Besides puffins, razorbills, guillemots, murres, you may see whales, seals, and porpoises. It s a good idea to bring a hat, mittens, and jacket any time of year in Maine, especially on a boat 10 miles out in the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy your trip and let Bold Coast Charter Company take care of everything.

  Ashley Moyer
9 months ago
Amazing company!From the first steps of booking online, to calling with information updates, to communicating about weather conditions and helping reschedule. -- the lady is the nicest!!Family so happy to get to see puffins! Very friendly and helpful!It is worth the drive and wait. (For us 12 hours and 5 days of postponed from weather but would do it all again)

  JK MZ
5 years ago
Stellar experience! Fun, friendly and welcoming excursion off the beaten path in Cutler, Maine.The Puffin experience was fascinating!The boat ride out.. Though super cold ... (layers layers layers) was calming and exciting all at once .A must if visiting main. Such a unique experience with the awesome and accommodating Captain Andy and his trusty right hand man, Brandon.Pleasure have you as our guides in unchartered territory ...

  akshay talegaonkar
4 years ago
We visited Machias Seal Island with Captain Andrew. It was amazing tour and absolute pleasure to witness Puffin colony. It is a small island with a research facility and thousands and thousands of birds. Captain Andrew and staff was very helpful and informative. We had to cut back our time in blinds because of of the rising tide but then we got to see a group of seal just across the main island. I would highly recommend this place to any birder and non birder alike. By far the best place to photograph puffins in lower 48.

  Ellen E. Thompson
a year ago
Incredible opportunity to see some truly adorable wildlife. So glad this excursion exists! I loved seeing the puffins from the boat but I died and went to heaven being able to see them from 3 feet away. If you are on the fence, just book this, and thank me later.

  Debbie Quick
2 years ago
This was one of the best experiences of my life.My friend and I booked three consecutive days for the tour and we lucked out with beautiful weather that allowed us to get onto the island all three days. Captain Andy and his crew took us on the boat ride out and they were very friendly and knowledgeable. Once on the island, we got to go to the blinds and because we went three days in a row, we made arrangements to try out 3 of the four blinds.It was amazing, there were Atlantic Puffins, Razorbills, and Common Mures all over the place. They were in front of us, on the sides, behind us, and even dancing on our heads on the top of blind.While in the waiting area before and after going to the blinds we enjoyed watching Arctic Terns and their young. On the walk to the bathroom, the terns would dive bomb people and it was a great opportunity for pics. Then on the way out, Captain Andy did a loop to the back of the island where we got to see all the beautiful birds on the cliffs as well as Harbor Seals who were out sunning themselves.If you get a chance to book a tour, I highly recommend it as it was truly an amazing experience. No other Atlantic Puffin tour in Maine comes anywhere close to comparing to it.

  Dennis Harris
10 months ago
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  Jim D
5 years ago
The journey out to Machias Seal Island is a must if you are on the Bold Coast. Captain Andy is the best. You will see puffins along with razor bills, and murres.

  Ron Shoup
6 years ago
I booked 2 trips to Machias Seal Island and was able to land on island both times to see the puffins. Landing is not guaranteed. Each time we had 80 min or more of shooting from the blinds. If you don't arrive early enough you may have to park along the road.

  Mike Surette
a year ago
I had the pleasure of a trip with Captain Andy this week, and he and Abby made sure that my group and I had an unforgettable experience. We were lucky enough to be able to go ashore on Machias Seal Island and walked away with plenty of amazing and once in a lifetime photos. On the trip there and back, they make sure everyone is as comfortable, and Andy dispenses with plenty of knowledge about the area. I'd recommend this tour to anyone.

  Sue Richardson
2 years ago
Such a unique trip only available from Bold Coast. We had to wait an extra year due to Covid but definitely worth the wait! Captain Andy was extremely friendly and full of information! His assistant Abby was great too. As an animal and wildlife enthusiast, it was a great opportunity to see the puffins up close. Highly recommend it. Not at all overpriced for a 6+ hour trip.

  E
2 years ago
We had a wonderful trip to Machias Seal Rock with Captain Andy Patterson and crew. The ocean was reasonably calm so we were able to land and go ashore, the first group of the season. We spent nearly two hours in our blind surrounded by puffins, razorbills and we're very lucky to have a northern gannet in front of us. At times the puffins were almost within arm's reach. Amazing!! We saw orioles, warblers and Savannah sparrows as well. Andy then gave us a slow cruise around the island where we saw lots of common murres, with all of the species flying around. In short it was a superb morning and tons of fun. Andy is very careful about safety but he provides lots of education and humor, too. Highly recommend the trip!

  Monica J
6 years ago
An amazing experience!! Captain Patterson and Brandon are awesome. Everyone at the lighthouse is awesome! Puffins are awesome! Go if you want a unique experience, like meeting people, are curious about puffins, like boats and the ocean, enjoy life.

  Michael McGuire
6 years ago
Always fun to go for a whale watching trip. We go every year during early August and always see whales. Their boats hold a good crowd and the nice sunny summer days make for a great experience. A little bit expensive, but well worth the money for a unique time on the water. Handicap access is a little bit questionable, but the crew is always available to help make it easier.

  Sarah Holton
2 years ago
This was an amazing tour!!!! The only US company that can land on Machias Island. We landed and got amazing photos of the puffins from just a couple of feet away. Book with this company for your puffin tour!

  O. vBruggen
6 years ago
We definitely lucked out on the weather and ours was a truly great experience. Small group, small boat, small island, Lots and Lots of seabirds. Puffins less than 3 ft way from the blind. Captain Andy obviously knows his job and loves what he does.

  Tracy Winter
5 years ago
Amazing trip to get up close to puffins and other sea birds. It is quite a boat ride out the the island so be prepared if you get motion sickness. We went on a day the water was really rough and the staff were great about getting people stuff

  Elizabeth Eudy
3 years ago
This is a small business running puffin boat tours to Machias Seal Island and it was the BEST puffin tour ever I've been on, and I've been on a few. Highly, highly recommend! I will never forget this experience.

  Kathy R.
10 months ago
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  David Wornham
6 years ago
Their charters to Machias Seal Island is not to be missed! Capt Andy does a fantastic job of educating passengers about the Island and Puffins that breed there in the summer. I highly recommend their service, have been 2 years in a row and going back again!

  Gene The Beach
a year ago
Interesting history about lighthouse and living quarters at the now restaurant at Cape enrage. Waters were calm today and visibility was good. Bought a bottle of Rubarb wine from Seaside winery...

  Dawn Hurley
5 years ago
I had so much fun going out today and seeing the puffins! The Captain and his staff are awesome they are so knowledgeable and really make the most of the time while your out! Don't miss this unique opportunity!

  Roger Stevens,Jr.
6 years ago
It is one of the most incredible bird viewing opportunity in the Gulf of Maine! Andy's experience as a captain for close to 30 years shows in his way of making this trip one of a lifetime!

  T Barnes
7 years ago
Informative, professional, good time, start to finish. If weather holds out for a landing, add as complete on your bucket list! As a photographer, birder, or nature lover. It's a must do. Job well done Andy, crew and the Barbara Frost.

  vicki newsome
2 years ago
I can't possibly say enough good things about this charter. The Captain and the crew were awesome. We were very privileged to have this one of a kind experience. Puffins, puffins and more puffins

  Mike Casey
5 years ago
Captain Andy is great. Very knowledgeable and engaging tour guide and he and his First Mate Corey were very efficient in getting us to and from Machias Seal Island.

  Marylea Lueth
5 years ago
A memorable opportunity to see and photograph an avian research facility way off the coast. Incredible day; well worth the money.

  David Schafran
a year ago
Fantastic experience, great boat, terrific knowledgeable and friendly crew. I hope to come back and go again