Cabbage Island Clambakes — Attraction in Boothbay Harbor

I don't write reviews as much as I should, but have a seat because I have some things to say. When I first looked this place up, I was undecided. At $70 per adult it's expensive, and my husband doesn't eat seafood so I mean what are we even doing? But my parents were making their first ever trip to Maine to visit us and all my mom could vocalize that she wanted was "lobster." So eventually I decided to go with it and say sure. This seems to be like a fabulous lobster experience.

Oh boy was it. First of all the boat leaves from right down by the waterfront. It's close to the parking there which is helpful because my parents both have limited mobility. The boat was easy for them to get on and they were able to use their canes. There are a couple of steps and their website States that they are not handicapped accessible because of it I'm sure but if you can be on your feet even if it's a bit dicey you can probably do this.

Anyway headed out to the island they gave us a good tour of the islands in the harbor. We went out to both of the light houses toured around Squirrel Island and the captain kept up a feed of informative and interesting information. We sat inside downstairs due to my parents mobility but they also have a nice deck on the second level.

When we arrived we claimed a table on the porch. This was entertaining to us because it was obvious that some families had made this a tradition and had THEIR TABLE. Some people went sprinting off the boat to secure that special spot but spoiler alert, all the tables were good and everything had a great view. They had lawn games set out, Cornhole, Jenga, badminton, horse shoes and as we chilled out and relaxed they came around and asked for our orders. They serve the chowder to you (it's fantastic). It's a fish/clam chowder.

When it comes time for the main course you walk down to the area where they are cooking the lobsters. To make the food they cook everything over a fire of wood and seaweed. The line moves very quickly and you get your two lobsters, corn, onion, potato, clams and an egg. Why an egg? I have never understood but it is what it is.

Everything is fantastic. The food was cooked fantastic and they came around with extra butter if we needed it.

To be honest it's probably overkill on the food. We ate like glutons and basically couldn't eat for the rest of the day.

We had to take our desert (blueberry cake) home with us and tbh it makes for a delicious breakfast treat.

My nonlobster eating husband was treated to a roasted chicken meal and while it wasn't as exciting as ours he said it was quite good, tender, juicy and cooked very well.

Anyway after we ate we trundled back to the boat for the return trip. It was a great day out.

Things to know: it's an all cash business, stop at a bank on your way because the ATMs at the dock will charge you $8. Also the tea, coffee and water come with the meal, alcohol is extra but reasonably priced. Just bring some extra cash.

Finally the service is amazing. It's a family business everyone there is an aunt or a nephew or some family and they are genuinely welcoming, helpful and courteous. Bring some money to tip them because they do a...

in 2023 is our first time to try the best Lobster with the best price which around $68 everything went excellent; Lobster Clams so fresh Onion Corn so sweet Potato so yum Fish chowder and Blueberry cake especially View at the island is unforgettable and also great service all this make us wanna come back if we have a chance cuz we have to take 3 hrs flight plus 3 hrs drive to be at Boothbay Harbor and now in Aug, 2025 we have made it, even the price is raised ($97.5 ) but we believe it’ll be the best experience as usual. UNFORTUNATELY it been upset since the beginning cuz we get yelled about we skip the line which we have not meant for that we actually be at pier 6 since 2.50pm pick up ticket at cashiers which she said the boat will start boarding at 4.30pm (that’s it all she hav said) then we gone for coffee and come back around 3.35pm which is kinda empty in around the area so we just sit and wait near the gate we thought line will begin here which we misunderstood, we may forgot since 2 years ago from last time, we wait until 4.30pm and still not boarding. We see more lot of ppl at this time until 4.40pm we saw ppl who was from the earlier trip came back from the boat and that make us knew we will be called for boarding soon. I kept looking at the gate and saw some of guest who been wait since 3.35pm with us get boarding around 4.40 pm and 1 min after that we follow them to boarding (il thought boarding is start) but suddenly we get stop by staff they dont let us board and blame us that we make it unfair for all guests who been waiting on the line and bla bla bla bla, He dont even listen any words from us and only yelled at us to go to the end of the line it kinda rude, I also feel bad for staff who take us ticket and let us go but since we get stop from the other staff that guys also get yelled at, actually WE DONT MIND TO WAIT & BE A LAST PERSON IN LINE which we already came so early since no other ppl, and everyone go to same boat and leaving same time !!!!! but we just dont know where is the line, we thought line start at the gate, so i even though we are the head of the line. None of the staff say anything during we been waiting since 3.35pm neither since pock up the ticket, no announcement about when the boat from earlier trip will arr/when and where is boarding will begin, im not a kids who mess up the rules but i old(40) enough to RESPECT the rules and other ppl.. BTW lobsters, clam is fresh corn, onion is good but potato, fish chowder and cake is not reach the good performance as last time, Views is still...

Went on this cruise today left at 5pm. Staff was extremely accommodating to my condition. Seats on boat were cushioned, bar open and snacks offered at fair prices. Boat sailed to Cabbage Island in about 40min. When we arrived we immediately went to find a picnic table. Staff was promtly present to take our drink order. Shortly after the 1st horn was heard, clam chowders were delivered to tables. Not the best clam chowder, it needed salt pepper and was not thick by any means but maybe there could be improvement here. 2nd horn meant get in line for your meals. It included: x2 lobsters maybe 1.25lbs each?, about 10 steamers, potatoe, hard boiled egg, onion, and corn on the cob. Didn't find much need for onion, egg, or potatoe as none were seasoned but they were served. You are given butter, Bibs, and napkins. After the meal we thought that was it until this incredible blueberry muffin cake? was delivered to the tables and OMG it was really good! Just when you think you couldn't eat more you couldn't resist this tasty morsel after trying it. We walked around island staying close to buildings (which had nice bathrooms). We sat in Adirondack chairs overlooking the sunset, played cornhole and took some really great photos. By 8pm we boarded the boat and headed back to Boothbay harbor. It was truly a great experience and one we will never forget! Thank you so much for the incredible cruise and food, it was very well organized and we will definitely do it again in the future. If you are thinking about booking this cruise don't wait, you won't be...