Machias Seal island belongs to the United States. It is ten miles from the United States mainland and forty miles from the Canadian mainland. The island is about fifteen-twenty acres in size and is made of stone. It is a low island and has a light maintained by Canada. In the summer (nesting season) Canadian Wildlife has a person to help protect the birds.
There is no pier on the island and it is exposed to the sea. You are landed in a motorboat by a very skilled person. You must pay attention to him and not get distracted with the many birds that are so close. The rocks are slippery so be careful. Boots on your feet are good as the grass can be wet. Stay in the blinds or on the mowed ground and do not molest the birds. Try to keep the openings in the blind closed on one side so the Puffins cannot see through.
There were about 2500 Puffins this year, over 100 Razorbill Auks (these are endangered and rare), over 1000 Arctic Terns and thirty or forty Common Murres.
This is the only place in the world where you can have Puffins on the roof of your blind, Puffins 8 feet from you and a Puffin singing to it's young - right under the floor of the blind!!! If you don't see a Puffin you don't pay.
The Puffins on Machias Seal island are not transplants. They were there when our forefathers came over here. They called them "Sea Parrots".
The main reason for the trip is to see the Puffins. You have several extra days so you visit along the way. You plan to see the birds the last day but the weather turns and we can't go that day. You have used your time up and now have to go home. Plan to see the Puffins first. You will have some extra days to work with if bad weather happens.
We start out the season around Memorial Day weekend and end the 1st of September. We regulate the number of people on the island. Please call for the best time to visit.
We sail from Jonesport and the time of departure usually is 7 00 o'clock in the morning but can change due to weather and sea conditions.
You must call the night before your scheuled trip between 7:00 & 8:00 to learn the time of departure.
You might wish to reserve more than one day because sea conditions can cancel your trip. Reservations are necessary with full payment. We return your money if we cannot go.
The cost is $50.00 whether landing on the island or not. We have to have at least six passengers on the boat to cover our overhead at the above prices. We do not operate below that. Private charter rates are available upon request.
The trip takes about two hours from Jonesport. The maximum time on the island is three hours. Take something to eat with you.
We also have a boat that runs out of Jonesport to see Seals, Razorbill Auks, nesting Eagles, Guillemots and many other birds. The Razorbill Auks stay here much longer -Ñ into September. The price of this trip is $25.00 each.
There are motels in Jonesport, Machias, East Machias, two bed and breakfast places in Jonesport. We also have the Puffin House where you can stay for $50.00 per couple per night.
Machias Seal Island is a mecca for naturalists, birdwatchers and photographers. Its unique and rich bird life, its lure and mystery as a coastal island, and the relative ease with which it is reached now attract hundreds of visitors annually.