First Chance Whale Watch

First Chance Whale Watch

First Chance Whale Watch
4.5

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles380 reviews
Excellent
264
Very good
53
Average
27
Poor
12
Terrible
24

NicoleA
Boston43 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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.
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.

mammachrissy
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
My sisters/daughters and I are visiting Kennebunkport this week and went on the First Chance Whale Watch today. We knew going in that there were no guarantees of good weather, calm seas or whale sightings — but lucky for us we got all 3 this time! The crew was so nice and knowledgeable, particularly Cindy and Sophie. After we had only seen one minke whale from a distance, the crew took us an additional 10 miles further than usual when they had received reports from other boats of a humpback whale. Thanks to the captain and crew going above and beyond to ensure their guests had fun, we were able to see a humpback whale up close that surfaced numerous times!! It was an experience none of us will ever forget. Special thanks to the captain and crew of the First Chance!!!
Written August 21, 2023
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.

Jillpru
Boston, MA11 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022
My husband, daughter and her husband and our two grandchildren, ages 4 and 6 went on this wonderful lobster cruise. It was great for all ages! We enjoyed the boating and loved the scenery from the water. Of course, seeing the lobsters up close and holding them and learning about them was a very special treat! The crew was terrific and knowledgeable and willing to take the time to make sure everyone got to see the lobsters and have their questions answered. I highly recommend this experience and will probably do it again!
Written July 5, 2022
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.

Gretchen B
1 contribution
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2024 • Friends
Our whale watch was disappointing in several ways. While all of it was not the fault of First Chance, some was. When we arrived we were told that their free parking lot was not available that day even though it was quite empty. They directed us to a free lot 1/2 mile away or a $5/hour lot a block away. We opted for the $5 lot and ended up paying $30. The weather was overcast and the ocean was very choppy/wavey. At 12 miles out it only got worse to the point you could barely walk on deck. We were told they normally go 20 miles out but they said a storm was coming so we turned around. We never saw any whales. While I can't blame First Chance for the weather, their decision to go out in it was probably not the best choice. We did receive a voucher for a free tour but I doubt I'll use it.
Written September 9, 2024
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, ME2 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
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.

Bruce P
San Antonio, TX139 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023
our poor experience is not completely the fault of this company but there are ways they could have improved the experience. So the day of our voyage it was a very foggy day which makes it very difficult to spot anything much less whales. The water was very choppy so that with the combination of the fog gave my wife her first experience with sea sickness. so no whales, sea sickness, and absolutely no narration on our voyage. And so narration is something they could have done to help with the extreme boredom of seeing nothing. Just let us know where we are and where we are going. Tell us about the whales that we should be seeing. The history of the lighthouse you took us by. The staff was very nice to my wife who got sick giving her a ginger ale and some crackers. We did get a complimentary ticket to be about to take another voyage for free. However, does us no good considering that was our last day in the area as we left the next day. So overall just not a very long unenjoyable experience. Again not totally their fault but things could improve even if whales are seen on a pretty day
Written July 1, 2023
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.

linda s
1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2024 • Family
We checked in for our 10 am cruise at 9:25 and were told boarding would start in 20 minutes. We sat around the corner in the shade and at 9:45 we walked over to the boat and watched it leaving the dock ahead of schedule. I was beyond mad and disappointed. This was our main activity planned for Kennebunkport. What’s crazy is that they give you tickets when you check in. They should know how many people have checked in and how many are on the boat. How do you get that wrong? Luckily, we were able to do a cruise with Odyssey in Portland in the afternoon and saw a fin whale and hump back whale.
Written July 17, 2024
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
3.0 of 5 bubbles
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.

dave_cwiklinski
Sussex, WI72 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023
So, before I get into my experience, I want to be 100% clear that I am a rational person and would hope anyone that does this tour or reads this review is too.

On the trip we did, we did not see any whales and the rolling waves got to some people...neither of which can First Chance control.
It is a big ocean and they are wild animals, and going into this trip I knew there was a chance we wouldn't see any, but went anyway.
What they can control is the effort they put in trying to find Whales, which they clearly did the entirety of the trip - I can tell the entire crew was as bummed as we were to not see Whales.
They can also control taking care of the guests that got seasick during the tour - which they also did.

What they can also due, which I thought was great is honor their guaranty that if they don't see whales, you get a voucher to come back at ANY TIME to try again.
After about 5 hours on the trip they decided to call it and head back to shore and without prompting one of the crew was walking around and taking names and handing out the "comeback tickets'...no one needed to ask, they did it right away out of the gate.

We live in Wisconsin and the booking of the trip and communication was clear and easy to follow.
Also, given that we live in Wisconsin I wasn't sure if/when we'd get back this way or frankly I wouldn't lose the "comeback tickets".
On the way out, I asked if I could instead use the vouchers for another of their tours while we were still in the area and they offered two options for us without question.
I really didn't care if I "lost money" by doing a different tour (which I'll review separately), I was just happy they were ready and willing to accommodate my request.

I'm bummed we didn't see Whales, no doubt about it...but this group can't control that.
For the things they could, it was perfect and if I ever do get back to K-Port I will 100% do this tour again with First Chance.
Written July 6, 2023
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
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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.

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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

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