The Puffins

Whale Camp adventures at sea go far beyond whales and dolphins. As a whale camper, you have the rare opportunity to visit remote Machias Seal Island. Here, the sky is filled with the chattering antics of thousands of amazing sea birds. From feet away you will come eye-to-eye with hundreds of Atlantic puffins accompanied by Arctic terns, common murres, and razorbill auks.

You might row around the island and have the birds called to your side, or enjoy observing the puffins and allies from bird blinds as they bring food to the young in their nests. These face-to-face experiences literally just five feet away are brought together by experiential lessons that demonstrate the relationships between puffins and other seabirds and show why these animals exist only on a few remote islands.

This trip has been part of our regular programming in past summers. However, due to rising ticket costs, it is now offered as an optional excursion for families who are interested.

Campers who do not participate will still enjoy a memorable outdoor experience, with activities such as tidepooling, adventure hiking, orienteering, and survival skills, or time in our marine lab, depending on conditions.

All campers will continue to take part in a guided seabird tour, ensuring everyone has the chance to experience seabirds up close.

Our Puffin Excursion provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit an Atlantic puffin nesting colony, along with sightings of Arctic terns, common murres, razorbill auks, and other seabirds. Because of environmental protections, only a limited number of visitors are permitted on the island each day, making this a rare and truly special experience.

Spots are limited to 13 campers per week, so we encourage you to register to secure your camper’s place. All spots are offered on a first-come, first-served basis to registered families.

This excursion is only available while puffins are present on the island, with the final trip date scheduled for August 4. This additional add-on is $242.00. 

To register, simply log in to your Active account and select the excursion add-on.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re excited to offer this unforgettable experience again this summer!