Our Special Interest Excursions in Maine and Points North:
Spring on the Bay
May 25-27
Our first trip of the season finds lovely Penobscot Bay practically deserted. The air is clear and crisp with summer life emerging in full view. This is a great time of the season as we all find ourselves pleased to be back on the water after a long snowy winter.
Island trail
Island Hiking Cruise
May 29-June 3, June 11-16
One of our most popular cruises! We spend extra time each day hiking on some of Penobscot Bay's most beautiful Islands and State Parks. The exertion level is up to you. Some of our favorite hiking locations are; quaint North Haven Village and the surrounding countryside, Holbrook Island Wildlife Preserve, Fort Point Seaside Trails and State Park, picturesque Swan's Island and Warren Island State Park.
Mothership Kayaking Cruise
June 18-23
Wanderbird Kayaking Mothership Cruise. We will take you to different scenic paddling locations aboard the Wanderbird. Each morning after a hearty and delicious breakfast we will launch the kayaks to travel as guided group to explore remote and beautiful area of the coast and islands that are not usually accessible from shore-based launching sites. We will pack a bag or meet on a beach for lunch, paddle for the afternoon and then meet back aboard the Wanderbird for hot showers, refreshment, a comfortable place to relax and unwind. You will be pampered with snacks and maybe some wine before sitting down to one of Karen's gourmet meals. Some paddling experience would be nice but all levels are welcome.
Typical captain's houses
Expedition Cruise from Port Aux Basques, Newfoundland to St John's Newfoundland
July 8-July19
This expedition along the Southern Coast of Newfoundland will bring us into deep and mighty fiords where the cliffs rise straight up hundreds of feet as we travel miles inland to our incredibly protected anchorages. We will also visit some of the few remaining outports that can only be reached by boat and meet some of the hardy folk who still fight for a living from the sea. We will plan to visit some of the offshore islands like Ramea or the french owned St. Pierre and Miquelon. Very few vesels travel here and the whales and seabirds are like no where else. This is a voyage of a lifetime!
Visit the wild and remote places
Expedition Cruise from St. Anthony, Newfoundland to Goose Bay Happy Valley, Labrador
July 27-August 5
(See below for some highlights of the region)
Expedition Cruise out of Goose Bay Happy Valley, Labrador
August 8-19
(Heading North along the coast - see below)
Expedition Cruise from Happy Valley, Goose Bay, Labrador to St. Anthony, Newfoundland
August 22-31
St. Anthony voyages may include a visit to the viking village, L'Anse Aux Meadows, the first European settlement in the new world. In this coastal region we find small fishing communities nestled around picturesque coves. Often icebergs can be seen near the headlands of these coves.
In Labrador, we experience one of the world's last great wilderness frontiers. Labrador is sparsely inhabited by descendants of Paleo Indians that thrived 9000 years ago, viking settlers, Basque whalers, and Moravian missionaries. The tundra is inhabited by caribou, moose, wolves, lynx, and Arctic hare. The icy waters are teeming with whales, seal, salmon, char and iceberg. The Labrador coast supports the greatest variety of seabirds on the planet. Join us as we explore fjords and outposts along this magnificent and dramatic coast!
Whales & Seabirds of the Gulf of Maine
September 10-September 15
The title says it all. These cruises offer a little bit of all the things we love here on the wonderful coast of Maine. We head East out to the offshore waters of the Gulf of Maine where we will have a great chance to see many varieties of whales, including the allusive and highly endangered North Atlantic Right Whale. The hydrophone will be deployed to give us a chance to listen to, as well as observe these gentle giants. We'll also look for Storm Petrel, Shearwater, Gannets and many other pelagic seabirds.
Small Island Fishing Port
Coastal Fishing Villages
September 17-September 22
Commercial Fishing here in Maine is rapidly becoming a thing of the past. Over fishing by large factory trawlers has drastically reduced the resource to its now critical level. The economies of these tiny villages are dependant on the fisheries. the village communities hang on... like the tough little spruce trees that cling to these barren, rocky islands. The Lobster fishery, however, is still strong and weÕll meet several colourful characters as we visit the island villages. We will invite some of the locals aboard Wanderbird for supper, stories and maybe just a wee bit of the old black rum. This is a fun trip!
Dining by Sunset
Wanderbird's Famous Wine Tasting Cruise
September 24-September 26
What better way to sample the local wines than form the decks of the Wanderbird? We will be working with the Winterport Winery to blend their local wines with our gourmet cuisine for a wonderful gastronomical treat as we voyage along our scenic coastline and explore island villages.
Seals & Pups
Vegetarian Cruises:
Vegetarian Cruise: June 6-9,
Vegans Afloat: September 27-September 29,
Fall Vegetarian Cruise: October 22-25
Veg News Magazine voted Wanderbird one of the 2005 Best Ten Vegetarian Travel Destinations is the World! Vegetarian Times referred to us in their Hot Tips for Vegetarian Travel! Karen has been a practicing vegetarian for over twenty years and invites you to come aboard on one of our scheduled veggie trips for delicious, healthy and beautiful cuisine, where the eclectic meals are prepared especially for you! More on vegetarian cruises...
(Vegetarians and vegans are also welcome on any regularly scheduled cruise- please check off your preferences in the registration form so we can plan our menus!)
Humpback Sounds...
Coastal Islands, Whales, Seals and Seabirds
October 1-6
The title says it all. These cruises offer a little bit of all the things we love here on the wonderful coast of Maine. We head East out to the offshore waters of Mt. Desert Rocks where we will have a great chance to see many varieties of whales as they spend the late summer and fall feeding in our local waters. The hydrophone will be deployed to give us a chance to listen to, as well as observe these gentle giants. We'll also look for Storm Petrel, Shearwater, Gannets and many other pelagic seabirds.
Pumpkin Island Light
Lighthouses of The Maine Coast
October 8-13
Come aboard as we set a course for the lighthouses of Penobscot Bay and beyond. Each one is beautiful and unique with interesting history and even some spooky legends! Aboard the Wanderbird, we will have the special opportunity to view some of the very remote offshore lighthouses such a Mt. Desert Rock, Matinicus Light, Isle Au Haut, or Monhegan Light. Other lighthouses we are likely to see are: Owl's Head, Whitehead, Pumpkin Island, Dice's Head, Grindle Point, Hockamock Head, Indian Island and many more. We'll spend time ashore, as well, where we can actually visit and explore Maine Lighthouses.
Carve a pumpkin!
Fabulous Fall Colors Cruise
October 15-20
You've never seen the foliage like this before. Look across the decks toward the mainland for colours that go on as far as you can see. Northern Lights often grace our skies on these late season trips, and warm up with Karen's seasonal favourites from the galley!
Bring your instruments!
Old Salts' Winter Voyage
October 26-October 28
It's back... you know who you are. We've had numerous requests to bring back this old Timberwind Classic... Join us to celebrate the close of another season, with one last weekend of crisp clear days and mulled cider on the wood stove! (And... yes, to our regular Old Salts who requested it; we'll serve Beef & Stilton Pies!)
Educational Charters Welcome - Family Charters Welcome