Puffin-Spotting In New Brunswick

New Brunswick in eastern Canada is home to a diverse array of wildlife and natural landscapes, including the beloved and charismatic seabird, the puffin. With its distinctive black and white plumage, bright orange beak, and comical personality, the puffin attracts visitors from around the globe to the coastal province. One of the best places to spot these delightful birds is Machias Seal Island, a small, uninhabited island located about 19 kilometres southeast of Grand Manan Island. This island hosts a breeding colony of puffins during the summer months, offering visitors a unique opportunity to witness their colourful beauty and quirky behaviour up close.

Puffin tours of Machias Seal Island

The tour involves a transfer from a larger vessel to a 16' skiff to reach the island, and good weather and low wind are necessary for this. Visitors are advised to wear warm layers and no-slip shoes for the landing, which can be tricky due to the slippery, seaweed-covered ramp. It is also recommended to bring a backup battery and an extra memory card, as well as seasickness medication if needed.

The puffin tour season usually runs from late June to the end of July, and reservations are often required months in advance as spots fill up quickly. Tours may be cancelled or landing on the island may be impossible due to inclement weather or rough seas.

In addition to puffins, visitors can expect to see a diverse range of seabirds on Machias Seal Island, including Razorbills, Common Murres, Arctic Terns, Guillemots, Eiders, Gannets, Shearwaters, and Storm-petrels. The island is a designated migratory bird sanctuary and supports the most diverse seabird colony in the Canadian Maritimes and the broader Gulf of Maine ecosystem.

A typical tour involves boarding the vessel at Seal Cove Harbour Wharf, followed by a 19 km journey to the island. Once there, visitors are transferred to the skiff and taken to the island, where they are directed to the viewing blinds. After an hour of observation and photography, visitors return to the main vessel and may stop by a nearby seal colony before heading back to Grand Manan.

Sea Watch Tours

What to Expect

When to Go

The tours run from July 3rd to September 30th. It is recommended to book early, especially if you are planning to go in peak season.

What to Bring

• Dress in layers and bring a coat to break the wind, as well as gloves for colder days.
• Wear shoes with a solid grip for disembarking.
• Bring a backup battery and an extra memory card for your camera or phone.
• Don't forget sunscreen and lip balm!
• If you are prone to seasickness, bring medication or sea bands.

Getting There

To get to Machias Seal Island, you will first need to take a 90-minute ferry ride from Black's Harbour, New Brunswick, to Grand Manan Island. There are various lodging options on Grand Manan Island, including hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, and campgrounds. In the morning, you will drive to Seal Cove to meet the Sea Watch Tours crew and board the "Day's Catch" vessel for a 90-minute trip to the island.

About Machias Seal Island

Machias Seal Island is a small, uninhabited island located about 19 kilometres southeast of Grand Manan Island. It is one of the best places in the region to see puffins, as it hosts a breeding colony of these birds during the summer months. The island is also a breeding ground for other seabirds such as razorbills, common murres, Arctic terns, and more.

Once you arrive, you will be led to blinds near the shore, where you can observe the puffins and other seabirds up close without disturbing them. The puffins, with their black and white plumage, bright orange beaks, and comical personalities, are sure to delight visitors of all ages.

Customer Testimonials

"Went on a whale watching tour with my friend. Grand Manan did not disappoint! Saw lots of whales and birds. Boat was big enough for everyone to have a good view. Guides were knowledgeable, funny, and entertaining. Unforgettable experience!"

"Best day on the island. The captain and crew are a lot of fun and super kind. We took our two small children, and I was relieved to find the boat extremely safe. Lots of whales, dolphins, seals, porpoises, and seabirds. An absolute must on the island!"

Don't miss out on this incredible adventure with Sea Watch Tours!

Puffins and whales in the Bay of Fundy

The Bay of Fundy is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of North America, and it's not hard to see why. It boasts the highest tides in the world, rugged shorelines, and a wonderfully diverse group of whales. The bay is a preferred location for whales to give birth, and they also use it as a feeding ground, nursery, and play area.

Up to 12 species of whales can be found in the Bay of Fundy during the summer months. The most common whale species in the bay are the Humpback Whale, Minke Whale, and Finback Whale. The endangered North Atlantic Right Whale, Sei Whales, White-sided Dolphins, and Pilot Whales are occasionally observed.

The best time to go whale watching in the Bay of Fundy is from June to October, with August being the prime month.

Now, let's talk about puffins. These adorable birds flock to a spot called Machias Seal Island, located 19 km from Southwest Head on Grand Manan Island, every summer. Sea Watch Tours offers an unforgettable experience of whale-watching and puffin sightings in the Bay of Fundy. Their tours usually run from July 3 to September 30.

Here's a sample itinerary for a day trip to Machias Seal Island:

• Book your tour in advance, preferably in the early months of the year.
• Dress warmly in layers and wear no-slip shoes for the transfer from the vessel to the skiff and the docking at the island.
• Bring a backup battery and an extra memory card for your camera or phone, as you'll be taking a lot of pictures.
• Don't forget sunscreen, lip balm, and seasickness medication!

So, if you're looking for a thrilling adventure to see puffins and whales in the Bay of Fundy, the summer months are the best time to go. The Bay of Fundy offers a unique opportunity to witness the giants of the sea and the ridiculously cute puffins up close and personal.

Getting to Machias Seal Island

To visit the island, you'll need to book a tour, with options available from both the Canadian and American sides. Sea Watch Tours is a popular choice, offering unforgettable experiences that combine whale watching, puffin sightings, and coastal adventures in the Bay of Fundy. Their tours operate from July through to September, and early booking is recommended. The tour includes a transfer from a larger vessel to a 16' skiff that docks on the rocky island, so good weather and low wind are essential for a safe and comfortable journey.

Another option is to go with Bold Coast Charters, departing from Cutler, Maine. Captain Andy is known for his professionalism, knowledge, and love for the area. He takes visitors to the island and allows them to spend time in the blinds to view the puffins and other seabirds up close.

Regardless of which tour company you choose, remember to dress warmly in layers, wear no-slip shoes, and bring any necessary motion sickness medication. It's also a good idea to bring a backup battery and extra memory cards for your camera, as you'll want to capture the magical moments you'll experience on Machias Seal Island.

So, if you're ready for an adventure and a chance to see puffins in their natural habitat, start planning your trip to Machias Seal Island, a true privilege for nature enthusiasts.

The history of puffins on Machias Seal Island

Puffins have been visiting Machias Seal Island, located 19 km from Southwest Head on Grand Manan Island, every summer for almost two hundred years. Avid bird watchers, nature lovers, scientists, wildlife photographers, and filmmakers have been flocking to this small island to observe and photograph these colourful birds up close. The island is a designated migratory bird sanctuary for the United States and Canadian Wildlife Services and is one of only five breeding islands for puffins in the US.

The National Audubon Society’s namesake, John James Audubon, visited in 1833, and puffins from the island are featured in his paintings. The Atlantic Laboratory for Avian Research (ALAR) counted 8600 pairs of Atlantic Puffin, 3500 pairs of Razorbill, and 800 pairs of Common Murre on Machias Seal Island in 2023. The island also supports a diverse seabird colony, with over 100 different sea and land bird species spotted there over the years.

There are two tour boats that have access to the island, one from Grand Manan, New Brunswick, Canada, and one from Cutler, Maine, USA. Sea Watch Tours, a family-owned business, has been operating tours to the island since 1963. Each tour boat company is allowed to bring just 15 guests to the island for one hour a day, six days a week, during the short nesting season, which typically runs from late June to the end of July. Getting to the island can be challenging, as it requires transferring from a larger vessel to a smaller skiff and docking on a rocky, seaweed-covered shore. Once on the island, visitors are taken to enclosed blinds, where they can observe and photograph the puffins and other seabirds up close.

Frequently asked questions