Driving to Bar Harbor, Maine: Bar Harbor is easily accessible by car. From Boston (268 miles) - follow Interstate 95 through to Bangor (exit 45-A - 395), then pick-up on Rt.1A to Ellsworth, and follow Rt.3 to Bar Harbor. Another route would be to take I-95 to Augusta, take Route 3 to Belfast over to Route 1 to Ellsworth, then back to Route 3 into Bar Harbor.

By Boat: Since Bar Harbor is an island and a popular place for both sailing and powerboating, there are many suitable moorings. You should check with the Harbormaster’s Office at 207-288-5571. You can also take the "The Cat" (Bay Ferries Limited) from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia to Bar Harbor.

By Air: Bar Harbor is serviced by a local airport, the Hancock County Airport, located just 12 miles from the village, and by Bangor International Airport only 50 miles away.

Bus Service: During the summer months, Bar Harbor is serviced by Greyhound/Vermont Transit from Boston. Since schedules vary, it is best to check with the bus line.

By Cruise Ship: A wonderful way to visit Bar Harbor is on one of the over 70 beautiful cruise ships that arrive in Bar Harbor each year.

Join us for an adventurous whale watching trip in the gulf of Maine. We feature several distinct whale watching, sightseeing, light house and nature trips which sail daily throughout the summer season.

The Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company has spared no expense in order to offer you a spectacular opportunity to experience the awe inspiring beauty of the magnificent mammals of the sea. Come and enjoy a fantastic experience you will never forget.

A. Since the weather off-shore is often considerably cooler and sometimes downright cold, warm clothes are suggested. Bring a sweater or jacket. Wearing gloves and a hat would also be a good idea. If rain is in the forecast, bring appropriate outerwear. You can stay warm and dry inside, but the best views are from the decks outside. Rubber soled shoes are also recommended to avoid slipping on the deck.

A. Bring a camera - there should be many excellent photo opportunities. Binoculars might come in handy for a close up view. Sunscreen and sunglasses - even on cloudy days you may be susceptible to a sunburn. We have a full galley and bar, so there is a variety of food and beverages available onboard.

The first Whale Watching cruise of the day to leave Bar Harbor, Maine. Don’t worry if you don’t have time for breakfast on the mainland. Our galley is the most equipped in the business. We stock fresh muffins, bagels, hot coffee, tea and juices. We depart for Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge. Within the wildlife refuge is the island of Petit Manan, one of several along the Maine coast which host a large breeding colony of Atlantic Puffins. These colorful birds spend most of their lives in the ocean, using land only to raise their young. The only way to view them is by boat. The island is also home to common eiders (sea duck), common artic and roseate tern colonies. In addition, Maine's second tallest lighthouse is located on Petit Manan.

After viewing the wildlife and lighthouse we will proceed to the whale grounds in time to watch the morning feeding. Because of our speed we can offer you the most viewing time of any boat and still get you back to the dock for lunch. (Just take your whale watching ticket to The Pier Restaurant to receive 15% off our lunch menu.) Approximate Trip time*: 3 hours

For our Just Whale Watching trip we keep it simple and head straight for whale watching. Because of Friendship V's speed we can offer you the most efficient Maine whale watching trip available. We will get you there fast to give you the most viewing time. Our Galley will be open during the voyage with hot dogs, fresh sandwiches, popcorn, pretzels and a variety of beverages including beer and wine. If you missed lunch, boxed lunches will be available. Remember when you return from the trip you may leave your car in our parking lot and take advantage of the discount available in The Pier Restaurant. Enjoying a fresh Maine lobster while watching the sun set is a great way to end the day. Approximate Trip time*: Just under 3 hours

Acadia National Park comprises 41,000 acres of rock-bound coast on Mount Desert Island, a portion of the Schoodic Peninsula on the mainland, and offshore islands. Here you will find granite cliffs side by side with sand and cobblestone beaches. Glacier-carved mountains rise from the sea, cupping deep lakes in their valleys. Here, too, are meadows and marshes and dense evergreen forests. Everywhere the ocean makes its presence felt, whether by sight, sound, or smell.

Much of Acadia's outstanding scenery is the result of glaciers carving through an east-west ridge of granite, leaving mountains separated by valleys. Many glaciers have covered Maine, and the last melted 11,000 years ago. Big blocks of ice were left behind forming lakes and ponds. As the glacier retreated, sea level rose and flooded the valley that is now the only fjord located on the eastern seaboard of the United States, Somes Sound.

Today a mixed coniferous-deciduous forest cloaks the granite backbone of the island, but the work of the glaciers is still evident in U-Shaped valleys, the whale backed ridges of the mountains, and glacial debris called erratics. The most prominent erratic is the huge boulder sitting atop South Bubble Mountain. It is thought to have been carried by the last glacier from some 50 miles away. The geologic sculpting of the island did not end with the glaciers, but continues today along the shoreline where the ocean constantly shapes and reshapes the rocky coast.

Human history extends at least 5,000 years into the past. Shell heaps are evidence of native American Indian encampments. Explorer Samuel Champlain made the first European contribution to the area's recorded history when he landed on Mount Desert Island in 1604. It is he who named it Isle des Monts Deserts, island of barren mountains. The first visitors, artists of the Hudson River School of Art, arrived in the mid-1800s. Their depictions of the island lured others to experience its beauty. As word of the island's appeal spread, Mount Desert evolved into a favorite summer retreat for the wealthy Americans who transformed the landscape with elegant estates. From their ranks came a strong commitment to conservation. Concerned by development pressures, George B. Dorr, Charles Eliot, and others worked to preserve the land and ensure public access. They sought donations of private land and their efforts culminated in the establishment of the first national park east of the Mississippi River.

Thanks to their foresight and stewardship, today's generation, and future generations, can enjoy this island where the mountains meet the sea. Little did Secretary Lane know that 80 years later, millions, not thousands, of visitors from around the world would find "pleasure" at Acadia National Park annually. From sitting along the rocky shoreline in contemplation, to more active pursuits like hiking, there are numerous ways to explore this national treasure.

For more information: Follow this link for our expanded park information page, or visit the park's website at www.nps.gov/htdocs/acad, or phone 207-288-3338.