Savor Maine’s coastal cuisine with an on-the-water experience
WRITTEN BY JOANNA O’ LEARY
What’s better than dining al fresco? How about dining al fresco al mare — outside on the sea? Thanks to Maine’s extensive waterways and cragged coast, opportunities abound to enjoy snacks, beverages, and even a full meal at sea. Here are some companies eager to make your eating-on-water dreams a reality.
Casablanca Cruises
Looking for a way to mark the beginning of a beautiful friendship? See Casablanca Cruises, which operates public and private adults-only (21-plus) cruises out of Portland. The catering menu is expansive and friendly to diverse palates, with dozens of hot and cold passed hors d’oeuvres, including but not limited to crab-stuffed mushrooms, vegan meatballs, Thai spring rolls, mini lobster rolls, and beef tenderloin crostini. For those seeking more formal fare, Casablanca offers stations (raw bar, fruit and cheese, antipasto, etc.) as well as themed dinner buffets such as lobster bakes and surf-and-turf. Trips last approximately three hours, and most feature live entertainment in the form of local bands.
Catch Your Dinner Lobster Boat Tours
If you’re looking for more adventure, consider Catch Your Dinner Lobster Boat Tours, where you’re invited to DIY a seafood supper while on board a real commercial fishing vessel. (Spoiler: it’s lobster.) In the course of the one- or two-hour tours of Corea Harbor, passengers can see the historic Petit Manan Lighthouse (and spot some puffins when in season) before hauling traps in preparation for bringing home their own lobster. The culinarily disinclined can also choose to have their lobster steamed at a shoreside food trailer, where side dishes, chowder, and desserts are sold to pair with your crustacean. But you don’t have to wait until you dock to get the party started; the boats are BYOB.
The Pineapple Ketch
The Pineapple Ketch hosts several different cruises, but a favorite is the 90-minute evening “wine and sail” tour, which meanders up the Kennebunkport coastline. As you take in the breathtaking scenery, sample a selection of wines handpicked by Betsy Ross (yes, that is her real name), lead sommelier of Wine House on Main. Sailings can serve up to 10 guests, and reservations are highly recommended.
On the Rocks Cocktail Cruises
“Everything is better at sea,” proclaims Portland-based On the Rocks Cocktail Cruises, and by “everything,” they mean adult beverages. The company focuses on small-party (around 12 people) charter cruises around Casco Bay, where it offers “Maine’s best craft beer, wine, and canned cocktails” for purchase (complimentary water is provided). Guests are welcome to bring their own snacks and nonalcoholic beverages. The casual format is ideal for birthday and bachelor or bachelorette parties. On the Rocks also sells gift cards if you’re looking to surprise a friend with a unique outing.
Damariscotta River Cruises
For a nautical outing guaranteed to elicit admiring cries of “Aw, shucks!” from all members of your party, see Damariscotta River Cruises’ oyster and wine tasting adventure through Maine’s eponymous waterway. In the course of the two-hour cruise, the resident sommelier leads guests through a tasting of five different wines. Those not fond of wine can swap the tasting for two beers or two cocktails. Complementing this curated experience is an array of 10 different types of oysters, all sourced from farms on the Damariscotta River, some of which you will sail by on the tour. While enjoying drinks, take in natural entertainment in the form of playful seals and soaring bald eagles. And should you want to make a full evening of it, Damariscotta River Cruises partners with a local bed-and-breakfast to arrange overnight stays.
