On a calm summer day in Boothbay Harbor, heading out on a cruise with Cap’n Fish’s Cruises feels like the perfect escape. A gentle breeze carries the scent of saltwater as the boat glides away from the dock, its wake rippling through the sparkling blue surface. Seabirds call overhead and sunlight dances on the waves. Passengers settle inas the crew shares narrative insights on wildlife, local landmarks and history. As the boat picks up speed, the exhilarationbuilds. Scanning the water reveals sealspopping up and diving back under, as well as a wide variety of seabirds from osprey to cormorants. These protected waterways teem with a diverse variety of wildlife.With the warmth of the sun on your skin, the rhythm of the sea beneath you, and the captivating panoramic views of untouched shoreline and rugged islands all around, you forget the phone in your pocket. Your worries fade as thisimmersive environment fills you with the beauty and wonder of the land, the nature, and the sea. 

Captain Tabor Young, Chief Executive Officer of Cap’n Fish’s Cruises, knows this feeling all too well. For over twenty years he’sbeen working for the company, first as a deckhand, eventually as a captain, and today, as its leader.He’s helped countless people experience the wonder of the region’s waterways. When Young first started at Cap’nFish’s as a college student, he was mentored by second generation owner, Bob Fish. It was Bob’s father Raywhofounded the company over eighty years ago as a ferry service to Squirrel Island, but Bob noticed that some passengers rode the ferry for the enjoyment of being on the water and seeing the sights. He saw potential in giving passengers a sight-seeing experience highlighting theregion’s natural beauty. Bob always had an interest in showing people the unique natural sights of the area. Under Bob’s leadership, a relationship was developed between Cap’n Fish’s Cruises and Audubon highlighting the plight of Atlantic Puffins and current restoration efforts taking place on nearby islands.Thismarked a turning point for the companyas it increasingly shifted toward an ecotourism model focused on responsibleexploration of natural spaces thatfoster environmental education and awareness. Todayunder Young’s leadership, theCap’n Fish’s team continues to provide passengers with fun and educationalopportunities to experience the wonder of our natural habitats, learning about wildlife from seabirds to whales, and appreciating the extensive scenic shorelines and islands.  

Given their close interactions with the environment, the team at Cap’nFish’shas a deep appreciation for the incredible natural resources of our region. They understand that without the protected shores and islands that extend throughout our intricate waterways, the cruise experience would be entirely different. As an example, Young notes, “When going around Damariscove Island, we can encourage people to sit back and just take it in. I don’t need to narrate much. I can just let people immerse themselves in the setting. These tours offer amazing life experiences to many people. Some are even moved to tears. We’ve had passengers who have never been to the ocean, or are seeing a whale for the first time—it’s a powerful experience.” It is the opportunity for passengers to be fully engaged with thenatural world that makes these cruise experiences so incredible, and this would not be possible without the efforts of Boothbay Region Land Trust (BRLT).  

BRLT conserves miles of shoreline across the Boothbay region, as well as numerous islands that offer habitat to a wide range of species including birds. Byprotecting these scenic lands and habitats that animals rely upon, Boothbay Region Land Trust provides an essential resource that brings people to our region and greatly benefits the tourism economy. Young explains that there is a relationship between those of us who were born in this region, those whochoose to live here, and those who choose to visit, and that connection is a mutual value of nature. “That is what makes Maine so great and appealing to so many,” Young elaborates, “and it is why partnering with Boothbay Region Land Trust makes so much sense. All of us who appreciate and rely on the wonder of these waterways need to recognize that they would not exist without habitat protection.” 

Cap’n Fish’s Cruises is the first business to join with Boothbay Region Land Trust in a new partnership opportunity called Tides of Giving. Tides of Giving offers businesses the chance to promote sustainable tourism in our region which fosters a deep connection between visitors and the region’s natural beauty, while simultaneously protecting the landscape and supporting local livelihoods. This approach to tourism ensures the preservation of midcoast Maine’s unique environment and way of life for generations to come.  

With BRLT’ssupport,partnering businesses will develop an elective giving opportunity that enables their customersto “opt-in” to a small donation in support of the land trust. As the Tides of Giving inaugural partner, Cap’n Fish’s Cruises has elected to establish a $2 opt-in donation for customers purchasing harbor cruise and whale watch tickets to support land and habitat protection. Visitors to our region recognize the value of our public lands, wildlife habitat, and scenic vistas, and will appreciate the efforts of local businessestosafeguard these treasures. BRLT welcomes businesses to join in this effort and show their support for the beautiful shorelines, forests, islands and waters that make our region special. 

To learn more about this opportunity, please contact Development Director Skye Wood at vwood@bbrlt.org. We look forward to working together with our community to ensure that our region’s wild and scenic spaces continue to thrive. 

Boothbay Region Land Trust is a non-profit land conservation organization with the mission to conserve for the public benefit the natural habitat, scenic beauty and working land of the Boothbay region.