FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Please feel free to browse our frequently asked questions below. If you cannot find the answer, please feel free to email matt@newenglandecoadventures.com and we would be happy to answer any questions you have.

↑

BOOKING

You will be emailed a receipt immediately after you book. The receipt will contain all the information that you will need. Please remember to arrive at your parking destination 30 minutes prior to your tour and to our ticket booth 15 minutes prior to your tour departure.
Yes, tickets must be purchased in advance. With only 14 or 20 tickets per trip, tours often sell out (but are never crowded). Book as far in advance as you can to guarantee your desired day and time.
Yes, there is a bathroom on both boats but we do encourage you to use a bathroom on land before departure.
Yes! We do offer multiple private charters. To inquire further, please email or call us to reserve your excursion. Please keep in mind that availability is limited, and we do recommend booking as far in advance as possible to lock in your desired date and time.
Yes, you should call and we’ll put you on the waitlist.
Yes! Gift certificates are great for any occasion. To purchase a gift certificate, click here or scroll to the “Gift Cards” button at the bottom of this page.
Not necessarily. It’s worth checking our calendar for the days you’re thinking about.
Most likely. It’s worth asking! We are typically able to accommodate almost all parties.

CANCELLATIONS

REFUND AND RESCHEDULING POLICY
All sales are final. No refunds, reissue to gift cards, or rescheduling is permitted unless TRIP PROTECTION is purchased AT THE TIME OF SALE. Any add-ons (including but not limited to food or merchandise) not redeemed during a booked cruise cannot be refunded, exchanged, or applied to a future cruise.

TRIP PROTECTION POLICY
Trip Protection must be purchased at the time of purchase. Trip Protection allows for cancellations or rescheduling (subject to availability) of tickets 12 hours prior to departure time, for any reason. New England EcoAdventures must be notified via email or phone at least 12 hours prior to departure time of any change requests. Ticket-holders may opt to receive a gift card, a refund, or reschedule.
Refunds will be reimbursed for the full amount of each ticket and any unredeemed add-ons, less the Trip Protection and processing fees.
Rescheduling to a less expensive cruise will generate a partial refund. Rescheduling to a more expensive cruise will require an upgrade fee.
Trip Protection is voided and no refunds will be issued if 1) guest(s) arrive and check into the cruise, or 2) guest(s) are no shows without notifying us 12 hours prior to departure time.

CRUISE CANCELLATION POLICY
Activity may be cancelled due to severe weather or minimum passenger count.
Activity usually runs in light rain and moderate weather, but the seller may cancel the activity up to an hour before start time in the event of severe or unsafe weather conditions. In the rare situation the seller must cancel the event prior to departure, ticket-holders will be allowed to reschedule tickets (subject to availability), receive a gift card, or receive a full refund. “Full refund” will include Trip Protection if it was purchased, additional 3rd party processing fees may not get refunded.

WAIVER
You will be sent a digital waiver in a separate email. Please fill out the waiver before arriving for your scheduled cruise.
The tour runs in light rain and other moderate weather conditions, but New England EcoAdventures may cancel the activity up to the start time in the event of severe or unsafe weather conditions. If we cancel the event, ticket holders will be allowed to reschedule tickets (subject to availability), convert their tickets to gift certificates for use in the future, or receive a full refund. We make every decision with the customer in mind, so we try and give the customer plenty of notice when canceling a trip.
We ask that everyone show up for their tour 20 minutes prior to departure time.

Our Kennebunk ticket booth is located at 8 Western Ave. Kennebunk, ME 04043. Our ticket booth is located below the stairs to Federal Jacks Brew Pub on the river side of the building.

Our Portland meeting spot is located between the parking lot located after 115 Thames St. and the marina. There are blue picnic tables between the marina and the parking lot with tall tour signs. This is our meeting spot.

THE TOUR

We offer complimentary spring water, and there is beer available to purchase from Kennebunkport Brewing Company (Kennebunk location) before your adventure. Food is not included with your trip, but we have a cooler on board that can accommodate light snacks. There are restaurants nearby. We do not recommend bringing full carry-out meals or picnics on board.
We encourage passengers to bring their own reusable water bottles, but we do offer complimentary water.
Unless it’s a private charter, the minimum age is 6 years old with an adult. We do not recommend these tours for passengers with a history of back injuries or those with medical conditions that might be adversely affected by boating operations. We recommend that children 11 and under wear life jackets assigned by the captain at all times and follow the captain’s instructions.
SMALL — only 14 or 21 passengers, no crowds
FAST — more time with the wildlife & scenery
OPEN — enjoy fresh air, bird sounds, and no diesel fumes
PERSONAL — each trip is tailored to those on board
STABLE — much less likelihood of seasickness
QUIET — our engines are much quieter than most
The other tours are a fine option, but if you want something more in-depth, more personalized, and more engaging, our adventure tour offers all of that and more. New England EcoAdventures is a very personalized experience with only 14 or 21 passengers per tour, delving into the history and culture of Southern Maine. You will experience fascinating areas of Maine that most visitors don’t even know are there.
Ecotourism is a form of tourism involving visiting fragile, pristine, and relatively undisturbed natural areas, intended as a low-impact and often small-scale alternative to standard commercial mass tourism.
Our boats greatly reduce the chance of seasickness as our low profile does not rock aggressively compared to the traditional tour boats. There will be constant motion depending on the sea conditions. Be sure to eat at least a light meal. Consider taking precautions if you know you are sensitive.
- Book a trip in the morning rather than the afternoon for smoother seas.
- Take over-the-counter medication (non-drowsy Dramamine) the night before the trip.
- Choose the rear seats, as the front goes up and down more.
- Tell your captain that you’re sensitive at the start of the trip, and give updates if you start to feel queasy. Usually, he or she can adjust the motion of the boat to help you feel better.
Our captain may give you a taste of the boat’s maneuverability and speed at their discretion, but our primary focus is the experience of closeness to nature. We always operate within safe parameters for the sea’s changing conditions and with the utmost respect for marine life. Oh, the boat is very fast too.
We follow the federal whale watching guidelines that apply to all boats, including kayaks: stopping the boat at least 300 feet (91 meters) away from the whales, not pursuing or blocking them, and driving slowly when we are near them. We allow whales or porpoises to approach us if they choose.
RIB boats are some of the safest and driest boats made. With that said, there is a possibility of getting wet when it’s windy and choppy. The captain will endeavor to keep you as dry as possible, but in some conditions, ocean spray is inevitable.
We recommend you show up to the boat with extra layers of clothing; you can always peel some off. Depending on the day, the ocean can 15 or more degrees cooler than on land, and temperatures may change throughout your excursion.

We also recommend sunglasses and sunscreen (even on overcast days).
Fine leather that could be damaged by salt, high-heeled shoes or loose sandals, skirts, full meals, crumbly or messy snacks, fragile glassware.
We are permitted for up to 21 passengers in Kennebunk and 14 passengers in Portland. New England EcoAdventures is never crowded.
No, due to demand, we’ve started offering an whale watch that operates during the day. Please check the calendar for availability. If we don’t offer a whale watch the day you’d like to go, First Chance Whale Watch is right next door to our Kennebunk location.
We see humpback whales, fin whales, minke whales, northern right whale, Atlantic white-sided dolphin, and the harbor porpoise. We are also lucky enough to occasionally see sei whales, blue whales, sperm whales and the long-finned pilot whale. These whales pass right by us offshore!
Yes, our other company Rugosa Lobster Tours does. Rugosa is another 5-Star Tour that you’ll love. Book tickets at Rugosa Lobster Tours

LOCATION, PARKING, AND CONTACT

1. You’re more than welcome to call us, but for the fastest response, you should email us at matt@newenglandecoadventures.com or text us through our website. We usually respond to emails within an hour and texts immediately.
Kennebunk and Portland: (207) 502-8040
Kennebunk – Our ticket booth is located at 8 Western Ave. Kennebunk, ME 04043. Our ticket booth is located below the stairs to Federal Jacks Brew Pub on the river side of the building.

Portland, Maine – Our boat is located at 1 Marina Way in Portland, Maine 04101. Our meeting area is the blue picnic tables between the pay parking lot located after 115 Thames St. and the marina.
Kennebunk Location – We have 4 Parking options for you.

(1) Our personal favorite – courtesy valet. Courtesy valet is located at our ticket booth at 8 Western Ave. Kennebunk, Maine. In order for the service to be free, you need to purchase something from Federal Jack’s Brew Pub – which is a must if you’re in the area anyway. *The valet isn’t always operating when our tours are.

(2) Pay parking located at 8 Western Ave. Kennebunk, Maine. This is a great option if you plan to spend the day in Kennebunkport and would like a central parking spot. The cost varies and we zero control over the parking lot.

(3) There is a pay lot located at 169 Port Rd. This is about a 6-minute walk to the boat, but there are usually spots available. The rates are $5 an hour.

(4) There is FREE street parking along the street, but it’s in high demand and can be tough to find.

Please arrive at the ticket booth no later than 20 minutes before your scheduled tour. Your Captain will meet you at the ticket booth and escort you to the boat 10 minutes before your scheduled tour.

Portland Location

Marina Parking is located in the pay lot after 115 Thames St. Portland which is Twelve Restaurant. There is a large black and white sign that reads, ‘Portland Co.” on the restaurant. – There are blue picnic tables between the parking lot and the marina, this is the waiting area.

Again, our meeting spot is next to the Thames Street parking lot – there are blue picnic tables and there should be a large “tours” flag marking them

Please give yourself plenty of time for travel. Traffic can be terrible during the summer months.