Visiting Machias Seal Island

The United States claims the island as its territory, but Canada has maintained a lighthouse and a presence on the island for many years. At present the island is run by the Canadian Coastguard and the Canadian Wildlife Service.

Landing
Landing on the island is difficult depending on the tide. Very young children and the less able bodied are advised to skip the landing and view the birds from the boat.

At high tide passengers disembark from a rowboat and are assisted by coastguard onto the old loading ramp.

At lower tides, the rowboat pulls up to the rocks on the left and passengers must clambor over algae covered rocks and walk across a plank to the loading ramp.

Be A Good Visitor
Visiting the island is a privilege and to protect the nesting birds most of which are highly endangered, strict rules must be followed. The ranger asks guests to walk quickly along the boardwalk to the porch where instructions and an introduction to the birds are given.

As you can see, there is so much bird activity all around you that paying attention is difficult.

There is a comfort station on the island. You might also want to bring water with you. You will not have time for a picnic so save your lunch for the boat trip back. Remember to stay on the boardwalks at all times and to walk quickly to and from the blinds on the ranger's instructions. Children must be controlled by an adult at all times.

Blinds After your introduction by the ranger you will be escorted to one of the pairs of blinds. Walk quickly and follow instructions so as not to bother the terns nesting in the grass.

Quiet The occupants of this blind are following the instructions to be quiet and only open the windows on one side. As you can see the Puffins are perched on the top.