National park · Canada
Machias Seal IslandMachias Seal Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary
Go only if you want puffins at close range: book a permitted landing tour from Grand Manan (about C$115–150 per person, late June to early August) and accept that fog or swell cancels the boat; there are no trails, no camping and no facilities on the island.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
0 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (0 km²)
approximate
Established
1944
Best months
Jul
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 13Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
- Atlantic Canada ↗The Maritimes means Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI only; Newfoundland and Labrador is Atlantic but not Maritime.
- Atlantic Canada ↗Most sights, ferries and seasonal hotels run late June to early September; outside that, check each opening before booking.
- New Brunswick ↗Bay of Fundy tidal range reaches about 16 m at its head; Hopewell Rocks and the Reversing Falls are only worth a stop at the right tide window, so check the day's tide table before you drive.
- New Brunswick ↗Drinking age is 19.
- New Brunswick ↗Canada's only officially bilingual province; English and French both official, French dominant in the northeast.
- Bay of Fundy ↗Check tide times before each stop; low tide exposes the ocean floor, high tide covers it within hours.
- Bay of Fundy ↗Stay well back from the water as the tide comes in; levels can rise fast.
At a glance
- Country
- Canada
- Area
- 0 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (0 km²)
- About 6 ha (15 acres), roughly 550 m long and 250 m wide (check).
- Established
- 1944
- Best months
- Jul
- Permits
- For some areas
Machias Seal Island is a 6-hectare rock in the Bay of Fundy with no residents, a manned lighthouse and one of the densest Atlantic puffin colonies in the region. Canada administers it as a migratory bird sanctuary; the United States disputes sovereignty, which is why two countries' boats can run trips. Landing is by permit only, in small groups, for a few hours at a time, and the nesting season closes the sanctuary to casual visitors. This is a boat trip, not a hiking destination: the only walking is on marked paths between the landing and the viewing blinds.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteMachias Seal Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary, administered by the Canadian Wildlife Service.
Size and age
0 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (0 km²) · national park since 1944
About 6 ha (15 acres), roughly 550 m long and 250 m wide (check).
Why go
- Atlantic puffins, razorbills and common murres nest in thousands of pairs within a few metres of the viewing blinds.
- The last manned lighthouse in Canada, staffed in four-week rotations, still stands on the island.
- It is one of the few places in the Bay of Fundy where you can land rather than just cruise past seabird colonies.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprAvoid
- MayAvoid
- JunCaution
- JulBest
- AugGo
- SepAvoid
- OctAvoid
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanNo tours; sanctuary closed to visitors
- FebNo tours; fog and swell
- MarNo tours
- AprNo tours; seabirds arriving
- MayNo landings; nesting begins
- JunNesting season; landing only with a CWS permit, tours usually start late June
- JulPeak puffin activity; nesting season permit rules still apply
- AugTrips run to about 9 August; chicks and fewer adults
- SepNo tours; birds leave
- OctNo tours
- NovNo tours
- DecNo tours
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic puffinMay–Aug · Thousands of pairs nest; peak activity late June to late July. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Razorbill aukMay–Aug · About a thousand pairs nest on the island (check). | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Common murreMay–Aug · Hundreds of pairs, plus a few common and Arctic terns. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Leach's storm petrel and other migrantsJun–Sep · Over 100 species recorded, including uncommon and rare visitors. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Grand Manan, New Brunswick
Sea Watch Tours from Seal Cove, Grand Manan (2476 Route 776); the only Canadian company authorised to land passengers.
About 1–1.5 h by boat each way
Open the page →
From Cutler, Maine
Bold Coast Charter Company from Cutler; a US-flagged route to the same island.
About 1.5–2 h by boat each way
Open the page →
From Saint John or Moncton
Drive to Blacks Harbour, ferry to Grand Manan, then drive to Seal Cove; add a night on the island because boats leave early.
Half a day or more
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Landing and marked paths | The rock shelf where small craft put passengers ashore, and the paths to the blinds. | With a permitted tour only; stay on the marked paths. |
| Viewing blinds | Small hides used to watch nesting puffins, razorbills and murres without disturbing them. | With a permitted tour only; time ashore is limited to a few hours. |
| Lighthouse and keeper houses | The manned lighthouse and the two buildings used by the keepers and the wildlife service team. | Closed to visitors. |
| Surrounding water | The lobster grounds and the disputed maritime area around the island. | Open to boats; landing still requires a permit. |
Sketch map
- 1Machias Seal Island · Headquarters≈44.500, -67.101Approximate; island centre.Map ↗
- 2Lighthouse · Viewpoint≈44.501, -67.102Approximate; manned since 1832.Map ↗
- 3Seal Cove, Grand Manan · Ranger station≈44.650, -66.850Approximate; Canadian departure point.Map ↗
- 4Cutler, Maine · Town≈44.658, -67.207US departure point.Map ↗
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Island position from published coordinates; departure points and on-island features are approximate, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landing tour from Grand Manan (Sea Watch Tours) | CAD 115–150 (≈ US$85–110) | person | 2026 estimate; the operator's published rate was C$115 including tax, and prices move with fuel and season (check). |
| Landing tour from Cutler, Maine (Bold Coast Charter Company) | US$100–175 | person | 2026 estimate; confirm the current rate and whether the US dollar price includes the sanctuary landing (check). |
| Sea kayaking trip to the island | CAD 150–300 (≈ US$110–250) | person | 2026 estimate; kayak groups generally do not land (check). |
| Sanctuary entry itself | Free | person | There is no separate gate fee; access is covered by the operator's permit and tour price. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Migratory bird sanctuary landing permit permit or guide
Landing slot permit or guide
Lighthouse and keeper buildings no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- C$115–150≈ US$85–110
- US$100–175
- C$150–300≈ US$110–250
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Environment and Climate Change Canada — Machias Seal Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary before you go.
Park rules
- Stay on marked paths
- The island is a nesting sanctuary; walking off the paths disturbs burrows and nests.
- No entry during nesting season without a permit
- June and July are closed to visitors except under a Canadian Wildlife Service permit held by the operator.
- Group size
- Landings are capped at about 15 passengers at a time, scheduled so one group leaves before the next arrives.
- Time ashore
- Strictly limited to a few hours per trip; the skipper decides based on weather and swell.
- No overnight stays
- There is no accommodation for visitors; the two houses belong to the keepers and the wildlife service team.
- Drones and close approach
- Do not fly drones over the colony or approach birds for photos; use the blinds (check).check
Where to stay
Near the park
Grand Manan
Inns, motels and campgrounds on the island; the practical base because tours leave from Seal Cove in the morning.
Near the park
Cutler and Downeast Maine
Small inns and rentals for the US-side boats; book early in July and August.
In the park
Machias Seal Island itself
No visitor accommodation of any kind.
Safety
Fog and swell cancelling the landing high
Open-water crossing in a small boat medium
Wet, uneven rock at the landing medium
Sun and wind exposure low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Landing involves stepping from a boat onto wet rock and walking short uneven paths; it is not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility.
- There are no facilities, shelter or toilets for visitors on the island.
- Travellers who cannot land can still see the colony from the boat on the same trip.
Visiting lightly
- Book with operators that hold a Canadian Wildlife Service permit and follow the blind rotation; unpermitted landings stress nesting birds.
- Keep quiet and low in the blinds, and never block a burrow entrance for a photo.
- Take everything back to the mainland; the island has no waste collection.
- Choose a trip that pairs the island with responsible whale-watching practice in the Bay of Fundy.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Machias Seal Island?
There is no separate entry fee. You pay the tour operator: about C$115–150 per person from Grand Manan, or roughly US$100–175 from Cutler, Maine (2026 estimates). The price covers the boat, the permit the operator holds and the few hours ashore.
What are the best hikes in Machias Seal Island?
There are none in the usual sense. The island is 6 ha of treeless rock with short marked paths between the landing and the viewing blinds, and you may only walk them on a permitted tour. For real trails in the region, use Fundy National Park on the New Brunswick mainland.
When is the best time to visit Machias Seal Island?
Late June to late July for peak puffin activity, and trips run only to about 9 August. June and July are the nesting season, so landing is allowed only under a Canadian Wildlife Service permit held by the operator. Fog cancels landings at any time.
Can I visit without a tour?
No. The island has no public access, no ferry and no facilities. Only authorised operators may land passengers, and the sanctuary is closed to other visitors during the nesting season.
Can I stay overnight on the island?
No. The two houses belong to the lighthouse keepers and the wildlife service team. Sleep on Grand Manan or in Downeast Maine and take a morning boat.
How many people land at once?
About 15 passengers at a time, with one group leaving before the next arrives, and time ashore limited to a few hours per trip.
Do I need a passport?
If you cross between Grand Manan, New Brunswick and Cutler, Maine, yes: this is an international border. Bring a valid passport or equivalent, and check current entry rules for Canada or the United States before booking.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- officialEnvironment and Climate Change Canada — Machias Seal Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary
- officialCanadian Wildlife Service — Migratory bird sanctuaries
- secondarySea Watch Tours — Puffins and Machias Seal Island
- secondaryBold Coast Charter Company
- secondaryWikivoyage: Machias Seal Island, revision 5263455 (CC BY-SA 4.0)