Sunset Sails in Maine

Every schooner harbor on the Maine coast has a sunset sail, and they all work the same way: two hours on the water, leaving about two hours before the sun goes down and coming back as the light goes. Because the sun sets earlier as the summer goes on, so do the sails: in late June the sunset sails leave at 6:00 to 7:30 pm, by mid-September at 4:30 to 5:30 pm. In Camden the sun goes down behind the Camden Hills rather than into the sea. For one sunset sail, take Appledore II’s from Camden, from $75 on GetYourGuide (checked October 2026), which includes cheese, fresh fruit and vegetables and has a cash bar.

When the sunset sails leave

Times from the 2027 Viator booking calendars, read October 2026, and for Portland Schooner Co., whose 2027 dates were not on sale, from its own website. Times shift by 15 minutes every week or two; go by the time on your booking.

What time the sun sets

Sunset in Eastern Daylight Time, worked out with NOAA’s solar equations and checked against the U.S. Naval Observatory at Camden (within 2 minutes).

The latest sunsets of the year fall in the last week of June, at 8:24 pm in Camden. Bar Harbor’s sun sets a few minutes before Portland’s, which is why its sunset trips are the shortest on the coast: by October the Margaret Todd’s evening sail lasts about an hour.

Harbor by harbor

Camden

Appledore II’s sunset sail leaves Bayview Landing and heads past Curtis Island Light into Penobscot Bay, with the sun going down over Mount Battie; the sail includes cheese, fresh fruit and vegetables, and the bar sells cocktails, beer and wine. Surprise’s sunset sail takes 18 guests at most, and you may bring your own picnic, beer and wine; on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in summer she also runs an evening sail with live music. The Camden guide sets the two side by side.

Boothbay Harbor

Eastwind and Applejack both sail at sunset from Pier Six, past Burnt Island Light and Ram Island Light. They carry a licensed bar, so no alcohol of your own; food and soft drinks are welcome. Applejack is not for children under five. See Boothbay Harbor schooners.

Bar Harbor

The Margaret Todd’s sunset sail carries a folk musician with a guitar, fiddle or banjo, and heads out toward Egg Rock Light. Beer, wine and soft drinks are sold on board. See Bar Harbor schooner sail.

Portland

Portland Schooner Co.’s sunset sail is the one to take for a picnic supper: bring your own meal, beer or wine. See Portland Maine schooner sails.

Before you go

• Bring a warm layer. It is 10 to 15 degrees cooler on the water than in town, and cooler still once the sun has gone; several boats carry blankets.
• Arrive early. Check in 30 minutes before in Camden and Boothbay Harbor, and the Margaret Todd closes boarding 15 minutes before she sails.
• Cloud and fog happen. The schooners sail in mist and light fog, and a grey evening is still a sail; they cancel for a downpour or unsafe conditions, with a refund or a new date.