A lot of people want to see a puffin, yet somehow never get around to it. Pity. These colorful clowns are adorable.
Atlantic puffins are rarely seen from shore. Their only nesting colonies in the United States are on five islands along the Maine coast. Puffins stay close to these islands through nesting season, then wander far out to sea, rarely approaching the mainland.
Practically the only way to see a puffin is to get on a boat. Maine has boats.
Of the five islands, three are easily accessible and two are not. Eastern Egg Rock is the southernmost colony, midway between Pemaquid Point and Boothbay Harbor. It’s the smallest colony, with the fewest puffins. But it’s visited by three different boats, making short-notice bookings more available.
Matinicus Rock lies just beyond Matinicus Island. At 25 miles offshore, it’s the most remote colony, with no commercial boat service.
Petit Manan is about midway between Winter Harbor and Milbridge. Several commercial tour boats visit, and I’ve already been out once this year with Bar Harbor Whale Watch. I’m likely to go out again with Acadia Puffin Cruise.
Leaving from Steuben, the dock is so close to Petit Manan that they can squeeze in three trips a day. This shorter trip may be right for you, if you’re prone to seasickness.
The northernmost puffin nesting island is Machias Seal Island. It lies nine miles off the Maine coast near Cutler, and it’s claimed by both the United States and Canada. The British built the first light station in 1832, and Canada currently supervises the island. One boat from each country visits, and it’s the only island that allows visitors to land.
Naturally, there is high demand for this unique opportunity, and the entire summer season usually books up the moment tickets go on sale.
The third island, Seal Island, is accessible from Stonington. At 65 acres, this is the largest island and there are thousands of nesting puffins. Visitation to Seal Island gets a big boost next week.
Puffin trips are so popular, I always figured some community would make an event out of them. Next week, Stonington will do just that. The multiple-day event is called Puffin Passages: Exploring Penobscot Bay’s Wildlife Haven.
There’s a good reason for the broad title. Many other birds and mammals are lurking just offshore. The chain of islands beyond Stonington Harbor is unmatched from here to Key West.
Many sea bird species tuck into the coves. Harbor porpoises are plentiful. Harbor and gray seals are seen on every trip. Occasionally, minke whales will pop up during the visit to Seal Island.
Other members of the puffin family are also abundant, including black guillemots and razorbills. Sometimes a few common murres join them. Common eider chicks trail their mothers near shore. Common and Arctic terns patrol overhead.
Great cormorants, listed as “threatened” on Maine’s endangered species list, nest on Seal Island in the state’s largest colony.
Isle au Haut Boat Services operates the ferry that serves Isle au Haut residents year-round, and Acadia National Park visitors in summer. Every Sunday and most Wednesdays in summer, its sleek modern boat named Otter makes a commercial run to Seal Island to witness the wildlife spectacle.
Next weekend it will make three special trips. My wife, Sandi, and I will be guiding the Friday, June 21, cruise as part of the three-day Puffin Weekend.
Sandi and I have guided this trip so many times, we’ve got it down to a science. She takes one side. I spot from the other. We don’t miss much.
Prior to the Friday trip, I’ll present a slide show titled “What’s Out There?” The Gulf of Maine is a mystery to landlubbers. It’s full of sea life that only sailors and lobstermen see. If you’re joining me on the puffin cruise, get there early. The talk starts at 11 a.m. in Stonington Town Hall, 32 Main St.
In fact, even if you’re not joining us for next Friday’s puffin cruise, you can come to enjoy my presentation. All planned activities for Puffin Passages are free, except the boat trips. The three cruises — Friday, Saturday, and Sunday — all leave the dock at 1 p.m. Call 207-367-5193 for reservations.
So, you want to see puffins? This is the summer to get around to it. Even for those who have visited a puffin island before, every island is different. Make this your year to sample a different island.
I’ve gone out to see puffins more times than I can count. It never gets old.
