Good Tide Tours
Captain Walker runs scenic island charters, sunset cruises, and wildlife tours out of Stonington on the classic lobster boat *Blue Dream*. Seals, porpoises, eagles, loons, granite quarry history, and private island pickups — all by text.
Good Tide Tours departs from Hagen Dock in Stonington on the Blue Dream, a classic Maine lobster boat that Captain Walker operates for scenic cruises through the archipelago off Stonington. The tours run an hour or more and cover the usual wildlife inventory of this stretch of coast — seals hauled out on ledges, porpoises and loons working the water, eagles in the spruces — alongside something more specific to this particular geography: the granite quarry history of the outer islands.
The quarry angle matters. The waters around Stonington were working quarry country from the mid-1800s through the early 1900s, and some islands still show the cut stone, equipment ruins, and settlement remnants of that industry. Walking tours of Stonington's history don't get offshore; a boat does.
Captain Walker also offers private island pickup and drop-off, which functions as a water taxi service for those wanting to spend time on an uninhabited island without a scheduled tour.
Booking is entirely by text — no online reservations, no ticketing system. Text 808-634-8695 for pricing and to reserve.
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Book in advance; seasonal
What Visitors Say
"Captain Walker is the best. He is fun and enjoyable to have on a tour. He comes from a lobstering family and has a lot of local knowledge. He guides the tours around what you are looking for. We took a 3 year old so we mainly looked for wildlife and pretty views. Captain Walker gave our child a lobster and an owl stuffy to play with while on the boat, which kept her entertained! I have been in this area on vacation a lot in my life, but I had not seen Stonington from the water. It's still a small fishing village and they are trying to hold onto that. The tour was easy and we got lucky with the beautiful weather. His 70's era lobster boat is small and just perfect for an intimate tour. There is another tour guide in the area and that older guy does seem a bit more creepy and trolls for tours by hanging out on the dock. Definitely use Caption Walker for your guided tour. Worth your $$"
"We had such a great time touring the archipelago with Captain Walker! Because he operates a former lobstering vessel, we were able to take a private tour (which we prefer). We loved the stories he shared of his childhood growing up in Stonington and the history of the quarrying and how this charming town got its name. Walker has a fun, laid back style: a perfect fit for our family, and seeing a few seals, osprey and loons were a plus. I would absolutely encourage anyone looking to see authentic Maine to take Walker's tour."
"My husband and I were staying on Deer Isle for our honeymoon. We arranged a boat trip with Walker based on a recommendation from my brother who had been out with him previously. We had the best time! Walker is so knowledgeable about the area and its history! We were even able to bring our pup along! We will be back for our anniversary and definitely booking with Good Tide Tours again! Thank you for such a memorable day Captain Walker!"
Local Tips
- Booking is by text only: 808-634-8695. No online booking.
- Ask about the granite quarry history angle when booking — it adds context to the islands you'll pass.
- Private island drop-off and pickup is available for those who want island time without a guided tour; confirm logistics and pricing when texting.
- Hagen Dock is in Stonington; ask locally for directions if unfamiliar with the waterfront layout.
- Tour length is 1+ hours; bring a layer regardless of air temperature — the water is colder than the land.
Connected To
- Isle au Haut Boat Services — the year-round ferry to Isle au Haut from Stonington; a complementary experience for those who want to spend time on Isle au Haut itself
- Deer Isle Ocean Tours — also operating scenic charters from Stonington waterfront