First Chance Whale Watch
First Chance Whale Watch
4.5
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Kennebunkport, Maine
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Travelers' Choice
2023
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First Chance Whale Watch
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(35 reviews)
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
365 reviews
Excellent
255
Very good
52
Average
25
Poor
11
Terrible
22
NicoleA
Boston37 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
We went on the lobster version of this tour, called Kylie’s Chance. It was a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon. The captain, Gerry, was amazing and so good natured. Fabtastic crew - terrific with all of the kids aboard, Inviting them to steer the boat and toss the lobsters back into the water.
We all learned a few things about lobsters. And we even saw George W on his boat when we passed the family compound. Really fun afternoon. I would go back in a heartbeat. Our children, ages seven and five,have been raving about it all week.
Also, we found this lobster boat tour after we learned that the other, better advertised tour (which costs twice as much) was sold out the day we went. So we searched for other options and found this one - And I can’t imagine it could have been any better.
We all learned a few things about lobsters. And we even saw George W on his boat when we passed the family compound. Really fun afternoon. I would go back in a heartbeat. Our children, ages seven and five,have been raving about it all week.
Also, we found this lobster boat tour after we learned that the other, better advertised tour (which costs twice as much) was sold out the day we went. So we searched for other options and found this one - And I can’t imagine it could have been any better.
Written June 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Casie B
4 contributions
Aug 2020
This 90-minute narrated tour was perfect for families and very affordable. The crew was fantastic and full of jokes! I saw seals and got to experience a lot of knowledge on how to catch lobsters and band them. We even saw a pregnant lobster! The crew took pictures of each family that was in attendance and provided a fun experience for all! Highly recommend!
Written August 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Margaret D
New York City, NY14 contributions
Jul 2020
I took the Lobster Cruise and it was fantastic! The boat was large, open-air with ample bench seating, so it was perfect for social distancing. My trip only had 10 guests although I'd estimate there was room for 50, so I felt very safe. The tour was fun - the guide was excellent, mixing facts with jokes, pointing out landmarks and seals, and letting the guests hold the lobsters we pulled in. A great deal for the price, and a wonderful way to get out on the water if you don't have a boat! I'd definitely go back.
Written July 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Douglas
Kennebunkport, ME1 contribution
Sep 2021 • Couples
We misplaced a pair of sunglasses on the boat. We called the following day to ask if they found them. They replied that they had found them and that they would send them back to us. We were so happy and they took our info to send them out to us. We have now followed up for 7 straight weeks to ask them to send them and they no longer respond. We paid $600 for a 2 hour tour and tipped them well and yet they ignore our continuous requests. Do you want to do business with these people? Your choice! Not reputable.
Written October 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lila A
Commack, NY5 contributions
Sep 2020
Amazing! Way better than I expected. We got to seethe Bush complex, so many seals, and catch some lobsters! Tom and Nathan were super funny and entertaining. It was my birthday and I guess my husband coordinated with them to have them embarrass me and have the entire boat sing happy birthday. Bets part, they offered to give us some lobsters that they caught to take home for my bday!
Written October 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scott B
Wantagh, NY676 contributions
Aug 2020
The tour was nice, although the boat was more crowded that we would have liked during covid. Everyone (except the captain) was wearing a mask, but he was very friendly, joking around, etc. We were able to see them haul up the traps and remove the lobster, and could have taken a couple with us if we had a way to cook them. Overall a good experience, and educational for a midwesterner who doesn't know much about the seafood industry. Also you are shown the Bush compound and a couple of other area residents homes from afar.
Written September 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kara
1 contribution
Sep 2021 • Couples
I really really LOVED the lobster tour last year and bragged it up to my parents. They flew in from Washington this year so I took them. Well this year, much more disappointing. The few front rows stood the whole demonstration so nobody else on the boat was able to see anything that was going on with the lobsters. We boarded first and left the front few rows for kids and elderly, guess being nice bites you in the rear sometimes. The Captain and his mate were still good at their job, just an unfortunate crowd on our trip I guess.
Written September 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cathy w
3 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
We went on a Lobster tour on Wednesday and it was great. It was a little foggy and more so on the way out but the Captain and mate did a great job of going with the flow and working with the situation. The lobster traps and lobsters were very interesting. We saw seals and then the fog was better on the way in so we were able to see the sites on the coast line. Boat was clean and crew was friendly, helpful and pleasant Highly recommend!
Written July 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charlotte Howell
1 contribution
Aug 2020 • Family
We enjoyed a great boat trip aboard Kylies Chance. Andrew and his brother were informative, funny and brilliant with the children on board. Our son got to steer the boat, handle a lobster and touch a fish! We'd definitely recommend it as a fun family activity in the Kennebunkport area.
Written August 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peachtree1
Niskayuna17 contributions
Jul 2020
We surprised our grandkids with this 1.5 hour cruise. They loved it and so did we! The boat was clean and the crew and captain were super friendly and engaging.
Our grandkids are 6 and 5 so an hour and a half was perfect for them. They got to watch the crew pull up a lobster trap with three lobsters inside. It was fascinating.
One tip is to bring some binoculars with you to see the seals on the rocks. Plenty of shade on the boat if you don't like sun.
Parking is in a public lot right next to the dock for $15. After our 3:00 tour we stopped at the restaurant on the dock for a nice dinner. Great time. We will go again next year!
Our grandkids are 6 and 5 so an hour and a half was perfect for them. They got to watch the crew pull up a lobster trap with three lobsters inside. It was fascinating.
One tip is to bring some binoculars with you to see the seals on the rocks. Plenty of shade on the boat if you don't like sun.
Parking is in a public lot right next to the dock for $15. After our 3:00 tour we stopped at the restaurant on the dock for a nice dinner. Great time. We will go again next year!
Written July 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What kind of clothes should we wear to go whale watching?
allover09
MA106 contributions
Normal summer clothing options are fine; I would not suggest any type of heels or wedge, however. Flats, sneakers, even flip flops are fine. Bring a sweatshirt or light sweater in case it is breezy on the water.
How do I sign up for cruise
Richard B
El Dorado Hills, CA47 contributions
They have a real easy booking via their website, or even call them would be best bet if you're tied to a specific time/day. Note: we just happened to be in Kennebunkport and actually just walked up and bought tickets - not sure that would work in the height of summer tourist season, but the first week of June was no problem.
Dawn M
41 contributions
Is a morning or afternoon lobster cruise better for seeing seals and other marine life?
Richard B
El Dorado Hills, CA47 contributions
Regarding the Lobsters I don't think that matters. We were told on the cruise that to see the seals it's best at lower tide, as there's more of the island (Bumpkin Island) exposed. We were out at high tide, and just saw the seals heads poking above water.
Dawn M
41 contributions
Please provide parking information, such as where you parked, amount of time to walk to the boat dock, parking fee. Thanks.
jenniferbE1357TB
Damascus, MD616 contributions
There is a public lot right in town (w/bathrooms), don’t remember how much but it wasn’t absorbent amount. The walk from lot in town to boat dock was about 4 min.
Can you smoke on the outside decks of the boat?
Joan D
18 contributions
People were smoking in the back, but I did not hear if it was allowed or not. No one was thrown off the boat!
rieIllinois
Illinois1 contribution
What is the best months of the year for whale watching in Kennebunkport
RLU818
Niagara Falls, NY174 contributions
May through October, but that is just my opinion. Perhaps go on the whale watch website and ask them.
KROUCH12
4 contributions
Can I make a reservation for 5 on Sunday, May 10th at 6:30 or so?
willowtreetravels
Elizabethtown, KY72 contributions
I'm not sure how many tours they have, but when I made reservations 10:00 am was the only time offered.
RVARAKSM
Richmond, VA143 contributions
How long is the boat trip ?
How much does it cost ?
If it is a long trip is there food or drinks to purchase on the boat ?
Or do you need to bring snacks and drinks ?
I have heard it can be a 5 hour or longer boat ride.
willowtreetravels
Elizabethtown, KY72 contributions
They advertise 4 hours, however they kept us out an extra hour trying to spot whales (which I appreciated). They do have food you can purchase, hotdogs, chips, drinks, and sandwiches at reasonable prices.
lking
Ohio14 contributions
My hubby & I are planning a trip to Maine in early June (8th-13th). Our main mission is a whale watch. I was wondering how cold it will be in early June? Both on the whale watch and inland?? We are staying at Old Orchard Beach. I'm assuming Kennebunkport is fairly close? Any advice or suggestions are more than welcome! ☺️
llr60
Kamloops, Canada17 contributions
Looks like it is about 1/2 to 3/4 hour drive from Old Orchard Beach to Kennebunkport. Bear in mind it is tourist season and it may be a slow drive. It is a lovely part of the country to tour.
As far as what to wear ... I'd say take layers - t-shirt, cardigan, scarf, light jacket, hat, sun screen. The day we went out on the lobster tour we went on (Kylie's Chance - I think they do whale tours as well), it was lovely and I did not need a jacket, but took it and the scarf in case it got chilly.
First Chance Whale Watch - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
First Chance Whale Watch Information
Excellent Reviews | 255 |
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Very Good Reviews | 52 |
First Chance Whale Watch Photos | 167 |