USCG-licensed captains · Departing Long Wharf, Portland (207) 555-0184
Casco Bay · Portland, Maine · USCG-licensed captains Get out on the water.

Spend your day out where the water opens up.

Fishing charters, sunset sails, lighthouse tours, and private trips off Long Wharf — run by licensed Maine captains who know every island in the bay.

Pick a trip, grab your crew, and let us handle the rest. We bring the boat, the gear, and the local know-how — you bring the cooler and the camera.

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14 yearsRunning Casco Bay since 2011
9,000+ tripsHappy crews out on the water
USCG-licensedCaptains hold Master & OUPV
5-star ratedHundreds of reviews, mostly raves
CG-inspectedVessels passed & fully insured
What we run Five ways to spend a day

Five ways to spend a day on the bay.

From an early-morning striper hunt to a glassy sunset sail, there's a trip for every crew. Every charter leaves from Long Wharf in the heart of Portland.

From $375Angler fighting a fish on the deck of a center-console boat on Casco Bay

Fishing charter

4 or 8 hours Up to 6

Chase striped bass, mackerel, and bluefish with all the gear, bait, and a captain who knows where they're biting. Great for first-timers and serious anglers alike.

Trip details
From $280Sailboat on golden evening water with the Portland skyline behind

Sunset sail

2 hours Up to 6

Golden light on calm evening water as the city skyline lights up behind you. Light snacks, water, and a cooler-friendly BYO policy. The prettiest hour on the bay.

Trip details
From $300White New England lighthouse on a rocky headland seen from the water

Lighthouse & sightseeing

2.5 hours Up to 6

Cruise past Portland Head Light, Spring Point Ledge, and the working islands — with seals, ospreys, and stories from your captain. Perfect for visitors and photographers.

Trip details
From $450Friends relaxing and laughing on the open deck of a cruiser boat

Private charter

3–6 hours Up to 6

The whole boat to yourselves and the itinerary your call — fish, cruise, island-hop, or all three. Ideal for celebrations, family days, and small-group outings.

Trip details
From $260Weathered hands lifting a dripping lobster trap over the rail of a Maine lobster boat

Lobster-boat experience

2 hours Up to 6

Aboard a real Maine lobster boat — haul traps, band a catch, and hear how it's done from a working captain. A favorite with kids and out-of-state visitors.

Trip details
Not sure which?

We'll match the trip to your crew.

Tell us who's coming and what you're after — we'll point you to the right day on the bay.

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The boats & the crew A small fleet

A small fleet, every captain USCG-licensed.

We keep it small on purpose — clean, well-kept boats and captains who've fished and sailed this bay for years.

Clean 28-foot center-console fishing boat on calm sunlit blue water

Daybreak — 28' center console

Capt. Dave Marsh

Our fishing workhorse. Fast, stable, and rigged for serious angling, with a head aboard and plenty of cockpit room for up to 6.

34-foot sailing sloop under full white sail on bright blue water

Sea Glass — 34' sailing sloop

Capt. Lena Brooks

Our sunset and sightseeing boat. A roomy, comfortable cruiser with shade, cushioned seating, and a smooth ride for golden-hour sails.

Classic Maine Downeast cruiser with enclosed cabin idling on calm blue water

Bowline — 36' Downeast cruiser

Capt. Sam Cyr

Our private-charter and lighthouse-tour boat. Enclosed cabin, big open deck, and a heater for cooler mornings — comfortable in any season.

Meet the full fleet
Why Bowline An easy good time

Local captains, safe boats, an easy good time.

We actually know this bay

Our captains grew up fishing and sailing Casco Bay. We know where the fish are holding, which lighthouse catches the best light, and the quiet coves the tour boats miss.

Licensed, inspected, insured

Every captain is USCG-licensed, every boat is Coast-Guard inspected and fully insured, and there are Coast-Guard-approved life jackets aboard for everyone, every trip.

Gear and know-how included

Rods, reels, bait, tackle, and instruction come with every fishing trip. New to it? Perfect — most of our crews are, and they go home with fish and a story.

Easygoing and welcoming

No yelling, no salty attitude, no pressure. Bring the kids, bring grandma, bring the bachelorette party — we'll match the day to your crew.

Easy as can be Four simple steps

From the dock to out on the water in four steps.

1

Pick a trip

Fishing, sunset sail, lighthouse tour, private, or the lobster-boat experience — choose what fits your crew and the day you want.

2

Book it

Send a request with your date and party size, or call the captain. We'll confirm your time and the meeting spot at Long Wharf.

3

Pack light

Bring sunscreen, a layer, sunglasses, snacks, and a cooler if you're fishing. We supply the rest — gear, bait, water, and life jackets.

4

Cast off

Meet your captain dockside, step aboard, and head out. Two to eight hours later you're back with sun on your face and stories to tell.

Our story

Started by a captain who couldn't stay off the water.

Bowline Charters Co. began in 2011 when Capt. Dave Marsh — a Portland kid who'd been fishing the bay since he could hold a rod — turned a single boat and a USCG license into a charter business.

Fourteen seasons later we run a small fleet out of Long Wharf with a handful of licensed captains, but the idea hasn't changed. We know Casco Bay — its islands, its ledges, its lighthouses, and its moods — and there's nothing we'd rather do than share it.

Read our story
Captain at the helm of a charter boat looking out toward the open horizon
From the dock Season after season

Crews come back season after season.

★★★★★

"Capt. Dave had our boys on stripers within the first half hour. Patient with the kids, clearly knows the bay cold. We've booked the half-day fishing trip three summers running now."

Marcy & Paul R. — Cape Elizabeth, ME
★★★★★

"The sunset sail was the highlight of our whole Maine trip. Glassy water, the skyline lighting up, and Capt. Lena pointing out the islands. We'll be back just for that hour on the water."

Jenna T. — Worcester, MA
★★★★★

"Did the lighthouse tour with three generations aboard and everyone — six-year-old to grandpa — loved it. Saw seals, got the stories, perfect pace. Booking the private charter next."

The Okafor family — Falmouth, ME
★★★★★

"I've fished this bay for forty years and still learned spots from Capt. Sam on the full day. Boat's spotless, gear's dialed, and the box was full. Can't ask for more."

Greg H. — Peaks Island, ME
Good to know First time? No worries

Answers to the questions first-timers ask.

What should I bring?

Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, a layer for the breeze, soft-soled shoes, and any food and drinks you'd like. If you're fishing, bring a cooler for your catch. We provide all fishing gear, bait, bottled water, and Coast-Guard-approved life jackets.

Are kids and families welcome?

Absolutely — families are some of our favorite crews. The half-day fishing trip, lighthouse tour, and lobster-boat experience are all great with kids. We have child-sized life jackets aboard. The youngest aboard sets the pace, and that's just fine with us.

What happens if the weather's bad?

Safety first, always. If the captain calls a trip for weather, you can reschedule for any open date or get a full refund — no questions asked. Light rain usually doesn't stop us; wind, fog, and rough seas might. We'll make the call and be in touch before your trip.

See all FAQs
Departing Long Wharf, Portland The bay's waiting.

The bay's waiting. Let's get you out on it.

We sail out of Long Wharf in the heart of Portland's Old Port — easy to find, easy to park near, steps from the restaurants. Serving Portland, South Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Peaks Island, and Falmouth.

Book a charter Call (207) 555-0184
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