Questions, answered plainly
Sixteen answers to the questions we hear most often, on the phone, in the shop and at the trailhead before a walk.
How do I book a trip?
Send us the inquiry form on the home page or the contact page, or call (207) 555-0148. We hold your spots for 48 hours and email a secure payment link. Your booking is confirmed once payment is received.
Are prices per person, and in what currency?
Yes, prices are per person and in US dollars. Child prices apply to ages 3 to 15. Kids under 3 go free on tide pool safaris and are not suitable for other trips. Acadia National Park entrance passes are not included.
Do you sell gift cards?
Yes, for any amount from $25, valid for at least five years. We mail them in a card with a handwritten note or email a PDF the same day.
Can I change my date?
Free of charge up to 48 hours before the trip, subject to space. Within 48 hours we will try to help but cannot guarantee it. See our Booking & Cancellation Policy.
What if I need to cancel?
Cancel more than 7 days before for a full refund. Between 7 days and 48 hours we refund 50% or move you to another date for free. Within 48 hours the fee is not refundable, but you can send someone in your place.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Land trips go ahead in rain and fog unless the National Weather Service issues a warning for our area. Water trips depend on wind, swell and visibility, checked the evening before and again at 7 a.m. If we cancel, you choose a free reschedule or a full refund.
Are your guides qualified?
Every guide is a Registered Maine Guide licensed by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, holds current Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder certification and has passed a background check. Kayak guides are ACA certified and snorkel guides hold lifeguard certification.
What about ticks?
Deer ticks, which can carry Lyme disease, are common in Maine from spring to fall. Wear long pants tucked into socks, use a repellent with permethrin on clothing, check yourself afterward and remove any tick promptly with a tick tool. We carry tools and information on every walk.
Are you insured?
Yes. We carry $2 million in general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage, and we write a safety plan for every route each season. Participants on water trips sign a standard release and assumption of risk form.
How much is shipping?
Standard USPS Ground Advantage shipping is $6.95, free on orders over $75. UPS 2nd Day Air is $14.95 and UPS Next Day Air $29.95. Local pickup in Bar Harbor is free. Full details are on our Shipping & Returns page.
Can I return something?
Yes. Unused items in their original packaging can be returned within 30 days of delivery for a full refund to your original payment method. Defective items are covered by our warranty and by your rights under state law.
Do you ship outside the US?
Not at the moment. We ship to all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii, plus PO boxes and APO/FPO addresses by USPS.
Do you charge sales tax?
Maine sales tax (5.5%) is added to orders shipped to or picked up in Maine. For other states we collect sales tax where the law requires it, and it is shown before you pay.
Are trips suitable for kids?
Yes. Tide pool safaris start at age 3, most walks at 6, kayaking at 8 and snorkeling at 12. Kids under 16 must be with a parent or guardian.
Can I join with limited mobility?
Our Spring Warbler Morning and Dawn Bird Walk use firm, mostly level paths, and we run private trips on Acadia's carriage roads, which are wide and graded. Call us to talk through your needs before booking and we will be honest about what each route involves.
Is there parking, and are there restrooms?
Every meeting point has parking nearby, and in summer the free Island Explorer shuttle stops at most of them. We list restroom locations in your confirmation email. Some trailheads have none, so we plan stops accordingly.
