Hardy Boat Cruises - New Harbor Maine
Boat Type: Specialized Passenger Tour Boat
Year Built: 1989
Length: 60 feet
# of Passengers: 117
Cruise Types: Monhegan, Puffin Watch, Seal Watch, Lighthouse Cruise, Fall Coastal Cruise
Cruise Price: $10 - $32
Accepts Kids: Yes
Season: May - Mid-October
Port: New Harbor
Boat Description
The Hardy III was built in Kennebunk, Maine by DMR using a hull typically found in commercial fishing vessels. She was specifically designed as a ferry for Monhegan Island and as a puffin-watching boat. The rugged design of the hull was created for the strenuous work and challenging sea conditions of an offshore fishing vessel, perfect for crossing to Monhegan Island when Mother Nature isn’t cooperating. She is equipped with huge cages that surround the propellers. These cages enable us to safely navigate through the summertime fishing gear without harm to the boat or loss of fishing gear. The super structure was designed with covered seating on the lower deck and 360 degree unobstructed views from the upper deck. The upper observation deck is quiet and peaceful, creating a perfect platform from which to spot wild life. She was launched in 1989 and began service to Monhegan Island in 1990.
Boat Photographs
Boat Trip Information
Hardy Boat Cruises offers several boating excursions from New Harbor including daily boat trips to Monhegan Island, puffin watch cruises, seal watch tours, lighthouse cruises, and seasonal fall coastal cruises.
Monhegan Boat Trips
Hardy Boat Cruises offers the shortest crossing distance to Monhegan Island. Approximate crossing time is 50 minutes one-way. A Seal Watch is included on the return trip to New Harbor. Hardy Boat is the most economical ferry service available to Monhegan Island providing customers with parking for just $3 per day and free luggage. Because of the trip's popularity, Hardy Boat strongly recommends that you call ahead for reservations.
Puffin Watch
The Puffin Watch cruise will take you out to Eastern Egg Rock to see an Atlantic Puffin nesting site and to learn about Project Puffin, an Audubon-sponsored model for restoring seabird populations around the world. Hardy Boat Cruises has partnered with Project Puffin since 1986. After 22 years of successful puffin watching, Hardy Boat has accumulated thousands of satisfied customers many of which return each year as part of their Maine vacation. This trip is not only for the laymen birdwatcher but is consistently recognized by top birders and bird watching groups. Audubon guides are aboard each night to provide high quality commentary on the history and biology of these fascinating and unique birds.
Seal Watch
The Seal Watch tour takes guests out to Webber’s Dry Ledge, summer home to a local harbor seal community. Typically, the seals are either sunning themselves on the rocks or frolicking in the water around the ledges. The history and biology of our resident population of seals is explained in an entertaining and enjoyable way. Frequently, the crew will allow the kids to take a turn at the helm on the return trip to New Harbor. This makes for a fantastic photo opportunity for parents. We even let the “not so young but young at heart” have their turn at the wheel. Over the years we have seen a legion of loyal seal watchers. Kids who had to be helped into the Captain’s chair are now in college and some are returning with children of their own.
Lighthouse Cruise
This boat trip takes guests past Pemaquid Lighthouse, perhaps the most famous of all lighthouses in Maine. Pemaquid Lighthouse adorns the Maine state quarter. See the Pemaquid shoreline and Pemaquid Point Lighthouse as it was meant to be seen, from a boat on the water. The ride is quiet and comfortable, the narration is non-intrusive and the scenery is spectacular.
Fall Coastal Cruise
September and October are the best months of the year to visit the coast of Maine. The height of the tourist season has passed but Maine still has warm days, cool nights and lots of sights to enjoy. This cruise takes guests further up the bay for a scenic glimpse at some of the bay's 70 islands. We travel past the birthplace of a famous Native American named Samoset, the summer cottage of two beloved children’s authors, and Webber’s Dry Ledge, home to our harbor seal community. You will also sneak a peak at Franklin Island Lighthouse and find out what a killick stone is used for. Grab a warm blanket and a cup of complimentary hot apple cider and enjoy the view.
2010 Season Schedule & Rate Information
MONHEGAN ISLAND SERVICE
SPRING (May 22-June 9)*
Wed, Sat, Sun
Depart New Harbor 9am ONLY
Depart Monhegan 3:15pm ONLY
* Memorial Day Weekend:
Friday, May 28
Depart New Harbor 9am and 2pm
Depart Monhegan 10:15am and 3:15pm
Sat, May 29
Depart New Harbor 9am and 2pm
Depart Monhegan 10:15am and 3:15pm
Sun, May 30
Depart New Harbor 9am and 2pm
Depart Monhegan 12:45pm and 3:15pm
Mon, May 31
Depart New Harbor 9am and 2pm
Depart Monhegan 10:15am and 3:15pm
SUMMER (June 12-Sept. 29)
DAILY
Depart New Harbor 9am and 2pm
Depart Monhegan 10:15am and 3:15pm
FALL (Oct. 2-11)*
Wed, Sat, Sun
Depart New Harbor 9am ONLY
Depart Monhegan 3:15pm ONLY
*Columbus Day Weekend:
Fri, Sat, Sun and Mon (Oct. 8-11)
Depart New Harbor 9am and 2pm
Depart Monhegan 10:15am and 3:15pm
Round trip: Adult: $32, Children (3-11) $18
One way: Adult $16, Children (3-11) $9
Children under 3 FREE
Advanced reservations required.
PUFFIN WATCH
SPRING: May 22–June 9
Wed, Sat, and Sun
Depart New Harbor 5:30pm / 1 ½ hour trip
SUMMER: June 12–late August
Daily
Depart New Harbor 5:30pm / 1 ½ hour trip
Adults $24, Children $15
Reservations recommended!
SEAL WATCH
SPRING: May 29 & 31, June 12 & 13
Depart New Harbor 12pm / 1 hour trip
SUMMER: June 19–Sept. 6
Daily
Depart New Harbor 12pm / 1 hour trip
FALL: Sept. 11-26 and Oct. 2-10
Sat and Sun
Depart New Harbor 12pm / 1 hour trip
Adults $14, Children $10
Reservations recommended but not always necessary!
LIGHTHOUSE CRUISE
July 3–late Aug
Tues, Thurs and Sat
Depart New Harbor 7:30pm / 1 hour trip
Late Aug–Sept. 5
Tues, Thurs and Sat PLUS Sun, Sept. 5th
Depart New Harbor 6pm / 1 hour trip
Adults $14 Children $10
Reservations recommended but not always necessary.
FALL COASTAL CRUISE
Sept. 7-28: Tues, Thurs and Sat
Oct. 2–10: Wed, Sat and Sun
Depart New Harbor 4:45 pm / 1½ hour trip
Adults $18 Children $12
Reservations recommended.
Captain Al Crocetti & Captain Mike Ward
Captain Al Crocetti
Captain Al is the most senior captain running to Monhegan Island today with over 16 years of continuous experience. He is a 1986 graduate of Massachusetts Maritime Academy and has held a US Coast Guard License for 27 years. Before purchasing the Hardy III, he worked on ocean going ships as a navigation and safety officer. In his time off, he operated whale watching and deep sea fishing vessels from Gloucester, MA. He also operated multi-day fishing, diving and bird watching cruises to the Dry Tortugas and Bahamas from Key West, FL. He has made many boat deliveries along the East Coast. He is currently certified in First Aid, CPR and Marine Fire Fighting.
Captain Mike Ward
Captain Mike comes from a hard working family of commercial fisherman and entrepreneurs. His great-grandfather founded the world famous Moody’s Diner. Captain Mike’s experience on the water began as a Sternman on his uncle’s lobster boat. He came to work for Hardy Boat Cruises 12 years ago as a deck hand. During his tenure with Hardy Boat Cruises, he also served his country with distinction as a Combat Medic in Iraq. In addition to his Coast Guard License, he is EMT and ACLS certified. Captain Mike’s work ethic, training and life experiences make him a uniquely qualified and gifted Captain.
Location Map
Contact Information
132 State Rt 32
PO Box 326
New Harbor, ME 04554
TF: 800-278-3346
Email: click here
Hardy Boat Cruises Video
Click the image to play the video.
Hardy Boat Cruises out of New Harbor offers various boat trip excursions including sightseeing cruises, ocean wildlife tours, coastal trips, lighthouse tours, private boat charters, and daily ferry service to Monhegan Island during the summer.
