Sail Acadia
Sail Acadia
5
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Full view
About
We offer private and shared sailing trips aboard our two Friendship Sloops, the Alice E. and Helen Brooks, as well as outings and nature tours on our wooden lobster boat, the Elizabeth T. Escape the crowds of Bar Harbor and view Acadia National Park from the beautiful shores of Northeast Harbor and Southwest Harbor -- Mount Desert Island's "Quietside".
Southwest Harbor, Maine
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2022
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(37 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
5.0
249 reviews
Excellent
223
Very good
17
Average
2
Poor
5
Terrible
2
cinnamongirl5
Boston, MA40 contributions
Jul 2022
We have sailed with this company numerous times, with numerous captains (Karl, Patrick, and Chris to name a few) - and each trip has been different and amazing. Alice E is beautiful and historic, and we learn something new about nature and the history of this area every time we sail. We have also taken the lobster cruise and found that enjoyable. I highly recommend taking a cruise with Sail Acadia as a way to see parts of MDI (and the surrounding islands) that aren't accessible any other way.
This year (2022) I sailed with them twice; once with teens and once with young children. It's usually a good idea to bring an extra jacket but we lucked out with warm weather for our sunset sail (5-8pm) and didn't really need the layers until the very end.
This year (2022) I sailed with them twice; once with teens and once with young children. It's usually a good idea to bring an extra jacket but we lucked out with warm weather for our sunset sail (5-8pm) and didn't really need the layers until the very end.
Written July 17, 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.
Michael W
2 contributions
May 2023
We took an afternoon sail with Captain Chris on the Friendship Sloop Alice and had a wonderful time. We were the only two guests on the trip as it was early in the season, and we were able to have great conversations with the Captain. The boat sailed beautifully in light to moderate winds and Chris was very knowledgeable about the history of the area, the local boats, and the islands we sailed by. Our sail lasted a bit over 3 hours and we enjoyed it thoroughly, and were glad we picked Sail Acadia rather than one of the bigger boats/businesses that sail out of Bar Harbor.
Written May 27, 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.
The Nation
10 contributions
Jul 2022
Our group of 6 had two private excursions with Sail Acadia. Our first trip was slightly delayed by weather, but Sue from the office was great with communicating the changes to our trip. Our first booking was for the Lobster & Nature Tour. Jerica-the captain, and Michael-the nature specialist, were great! Our second booking was for a private charter sail. Because we had already had cruised around the area on the lobster boat, we asked if we could go out to sea a bit. Captain Karl obliged, and our whole family thoroughly enjoyed the experience!
Captain Karl and his crew are wonderful. We highly recommend booking trips with Sail Acadia in Southwest Harbor over similar cruises out of Bar Harbor. Excellent service with a more personalized experience and you don't have to arrive an hour early or be part of a large crowd.
Captain Karl and his crew are wonderful. We highly recommend booking trips with Sail Acadia in Southwest Harbor over similar cruises out of Bar Harbor. Excellent service with a more personalized experience and you don't have to arrive an hour early or be part of a large crowd.
Written July 11, 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.
racquelblake
Charlotte, NC10 contributions
Aug 2022
Terry and Rose were great and super friendly, but after reading the other reviews, I have to say I was a little disappointed. This trip did not deliver....After about 15 minutes of sailing, we lost all wind. I know there is nothing the crew can do to control the weather/ wind, but we just floated around the harbor for almost 3 hours. It would have been nice if they turned the motor on so that we could see more of the area and they could continue to tell us about the great areas advertised for their trips. As a family of 6, we paid a lot of money and felt disappointed that an afternoon of what we thought would be getting to see a lot of the area ended up being just sitting on the "prettiest patio" on the harbor. While this was pleasant, it was not what we have chosen to spend money on had we known they would not use the motor as a backup to deliver more of what we had anticipated based on their website. I share this information as something to consider when booking this trip since lack of wind may be an issue. Other sailing trips we have been on have always turned on the motors if we lost wind, just know this is not the case with this company.
Written August 15, 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.
Thank you for your response. It has been a very calm couple of weeks here on Mount Desert Island and I am sorry you experienced a lack of wind on the water. It is true that we cannot control the weather. Our policy when the wind dies, is to talk with the customers and make a joint decision if they prefer to motor around the area and change up the scenery or enjoy the beauty and quietness that sailing offers. I can appreciate both perspectives. I wonder if there was a miscommunication or simply a lack thereof. We certainly aim to please, and it appears we "missed the boat" so to speak on your charter. Please accept my apologies. I will reach out to you via email but please know that we do use the motor as the guests desire on a windless day. I will also speak with the captain and make sure that we communicate more clearly with customers when the wind dies, how best to meet their expectations.
Written August 25, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Elaine W
Killingworth, CT15 contributions
Aug 2021
My 3 daughters and my son-in-law booked a trip on the Elizabeth T in order to scatter my cousin's ashes. The trip was lovely and memorable and the Captain and his mate were friendly and knowledgeable about the wildlife and the islands we went by.
It was very meaningful to us because I and my cousin had taken tours out of both Southwest and Northeast Harbors many times. It was always wonderful when we went out with Sail Acadia, and in spite of the sad circumstances of our trip, it still was
wonderful I would recommend this company highly.
It was very meaningful to us because I and my cousin had taken tours out of both Southwest and Northeast Harbors many times. It was always wonderful when we went out with Sail Acadia, and in spite of the sad circumstances of our trip, it still was
wonderful I would recommend this company highly.
Written August 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.
David H
Westerly, RI23 contributions
Sep 2022
My partner and I were watching the weather early in the week and predicted Thursday morning would be the best time to go. Turned out to be better than expected with a small craft advisory for the day, we knew the morning sail would be exciting. We checked in with two other young couples with Capt. Christ who offered us the opportunity to back out of the trip. Everyone ready to go. It was perfect, reefed mainsail and no jib. Capt Chris gave us a beautiful ride gently luffing the sails to minimize the heal. We were prepared to get wet and we did. This was a sail!! We were thrilled to have picked this day to be a great sail day.
Written November 1, 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.
Glennab
Mount Dora, FL13 contributions
Jul 2022 • Friends
Captain Carl on Alice E out of Southwest Harbor gave us an exhilarating yet safe sail. He’s an interesting person with in depth knowledge of the area. We definitely recommend this as a must-do while in the Arcadia area - a different way to experience the area than just hiking. One of the highlights of our trip down the Maine Coast.
Written July 21, 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.
Paula W
Sleepy Eye, MN2 contributions
Jun 2022
Our family of 18 (8 adults and 10 kids age 6-13) had a great time on the boat! We learned a lot about area wildlife such as peregrine falcons, seals, lobsters and crabs. The captain, Jerika, did an excellent job telling us all about lobstering in the area. We could hear her well and got a lot out of her discourse. We also had Therez as a local guide, explaining the area and natural features. It was harder to hear her, so we missed a bunch of what she said. (A microphone would be great!) The kids loved holding the lobster and seeing the wildlife. It was a wonderful experience.
Written June 28, 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.
halfadozenfun
New York City, NY29 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
We booked a private sunset tour our group of 15 ranged in ages 6-75yrs old the captain and first mate were excellent and knowledgeable. They entertained the younger kids by showing them lobster traps and gave a lesson on lobster and crabs. We were also able to see seals, birds, dolphins the kids really loved it. We also got to tour around and see some sites and catch some nice sunset pics. It was fun and we would definitely recommend!
Written August 19, 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.
AllysonYS
Nashville, TN8 contributions
Aug 2022
We took a fantastic boat ride to catch lobster and see seals. The captain and guide were both awesome! We learned about the famous boats and houses around the harbor, how fishermen know which lobsters to keep vs. through back and much more. We caught a sailboat race, which was pretty amazing to see. I really liked being on the "quiet" side of the island - much less touristy than Bar Harbor. I highly recommend making the trip to the SW side of the Mt. Dessert Island. Really fun. Thank you!
Written August 11, 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.
Price of a 2 hr sail for one person?
Nick R
Wyckoff, NJ209 contributions
Check their website
TravPa
PA1,163 contributions
How rough of a ride can this become? Taking two older people who might not appreciate too much leaning from side to side.
Sail Acadia
Southwest Harbor, ME5 contributions
I’m sorry I did not see this message sooner. The weather dictates the roughness of the sailing experience. We can not control the wind but we can make our sails smaller and keep the boat safe. We operate in protected waters as well so it is normally very comfortable. If it is too rough we cancel the trip. Our goal is to provide a relaxed sailing experience.
dorolee23
Erie, PA
Do I need to make a reservation? The website doesn't seem to clearly say how to do that.
Fonda M
Fremont, CA141 contributions
Yes, you need to make a reservation. I think had called them using the number at the bottom of the Sail Acadia website, but their email address is also listed there..
How many passengers does your boat hold?
Sail Acadia
Southwest Harbor, ME5 contributions
Hi and thank you for your inquiry,
We pride ourselves on being a small, intimate operation where we can get to know our guests by name. We only take out a maximum of 6 passengers per boat. If you had a larger party, we could try and accommodate by doing a tandem sail with both boats, up to 12 passengers. We also have a wooden lobster boat that does nature tours, and we can accommodate 21 passengers on that boat.
Thanks again!
Savanna at Sail Acadia