Private Island Fort Tour in Casco Bay: Boat Cruise & Island Tour

Overview

Available languages

English

2 hours

Mobile ticket

Board the Elizabeth Grace for this exclusive one-of-a-kind experience. Whether you are a local or visiting from away, the stone fortresses built in the early 19th century in Portland Harbor are always captivating. They are imposing reminders of days not too far gone when the defense of our coastline required their presence.

Despite their prominence, the forts are not easy to access for a variety of reasons, and most locals and visitors have never been to Fort Scammel, the only fort in the Harbor to see active combat. Fortunately, the owners of Fort Scammel have partnered with us to offer private tours of this incredible historic site. This is an experience NOT TO BE MISSED! Along the way, we’ll cruise past some of the other great sights in the bay, including the iconic lighthouses.

GROUP OF 6 OR MORE? Please reach out to us about private charter options for the best experience possible!

Our Fort Tour on a Private Island has a 4 PERSON MINIMUM to operate.

Additional Info

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Option to purchase additional drinks aboard (credit card only)

One canned local, craft, alcoholic beverage or NA drink included per person

Restroom Available At Departure Location / NOT Onboard the Boat

Gratuities

NO Restroom Onboard the Boat

What To Expect

At SeaPortland, we are happy to offer a truly unparalleled experience with our Private Island and Fort Tour. With access to Fort Scammel on House Island, a historic site that is privately owned and was inaccessible to the public for decades, this is a tour you won’t find anywhere else in Portland! You’ll have the chance to explore the unique architecture, masonry, and preserved ruins of the fort, with its catacombs-style underground passages and French influences.

1 hour • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Private Island Fort Tour in Casco Bay: Boat Cruise & Island Tour

Reviews

4.81

57 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Highly recommend! We...
Chandria M,
Aug 29, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Highly recommend! We ended up with only a small group of 6 which made the tour experience all the more memorable! Captain Pete is extremely knowledgeable not only about House Island/Fort Scammel but Portland itself. Simeon was a great deck hand as well!
Best cruise excursion out of Portland!
Sarah S,
Aug 24, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Fantastic tour, amazing history, beautiful island, great boat, fun crew. Highly recommend!!!!!! Every part of this tour was A+.
Best boat trip! Don’t miss this!
Lisa G,
Aug 22, 2025
- Viator
5.00
The ride out was beautiful and the skipper and mate were extremely friendly and knowledgeable. When we got to the island we were created by our guide. He was super knowledgeable and answered our questions with ease! The tour was exceptional with such historical importance! If you don’t go on this trip, you are truly missing something special!
Awesome Tour
Jay B,
Jul 31, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Extremely informative tour of the fort! Learned lots of history. The boat crew on the way to the island shared lots of things about the bay and ships and boats we saw
Perfect combo of exploring, history, and boat ride
Dawn C,
Oct 11, 2024
- Viator
5.00
This tour was amazing. Our captain was very knowledgeable, and eager to share history about the island. We explored areas with amazing stories behind them, and enjoyed a smooth boat ride, with great views and tasty drinks. He even let me call my dad (retired disabled Marine/war history buff) on speaker phone to catch his stories. We saw seals, and a deer. I would absolutely recommend this trip!