Claimed by both Canada and the United States, Machias Seal Island is a 15 acre island located in the Bay of Fundy, approximately 19km from off the coast of Grand Manan Island in New Brunswick and 16km from Cutler, Maine.
Machias Seal Island is the seasonal home to thousands of pelagic birds including approximately 3000 pairs of Arctic terns, 400-500 pairs of nesting razorbills and, the general favorite, 1300 pairs of nesting Atlantic Puffins (Sea Watch Tours, 2011).
Access to this small island is limited and landing is done at one’s own risk as the terrain can be quite slippery and uneven. Two companies from Maine and one from New Brunswick offer tours to Machias Seal Island.
Machias Seal Island Light is operated by Canadian Coast Guard and the sanctuary is protected by the Canadian Wildlife Service. The only human residents are the island’s light keepers and wardens of the Canadian Wildlife Service.
Truly a bird watcher’s paradise and many seals can also be seen off shore.
This was the 44th article in our “52 Reasons to visit the Bay of Fundy” series. Bed & Breakfasts and Country Inns were last week’s reason to visit the Bay of Fundy. Don’t forget to mark your calendar or use our RSS feed so you won’t miss the 45th reason next week!
Laura
oh jeez I just noticed this sites last activities were in 2012, hope it is still alive:)
Laura
So is that to say there is no one from the NB side to do the door as it says there is?
Bay of Fundy
As mentioned below, Sea Watch Tours offer tours to the island from NB. See http://www.seawatchtours.com/puffins-and-machias-seal-island.html for more information.
Muriel Sawler
I am interested in a tour to Seal Island this year. I have read that there is one tour company in New Brunswick but I have not been able to find it on this site. Please advise. Thank you.
Muriel Sawler
Bay of Fundy
There’s Sea Watch Tours who operates from Grand Manan, New Brunswick (http://www.seawatchtours.com/puffins.html) and Bold Coast who operates from Cutler, Maine (http://www.boldcoast.com/).