Lobster is practically synonymous with the state of Maine. People in Maine love lobster and have “an almost folkloric understanding” of how to prepare and eat it (according to an article in the Portland Press Herald). The Maine Lobster (Homarus americanus) is the state crustacean. It is so popular that as of 2021, 42,668 Mainers had lobster license plates on their cars. Tourists purchase lobster trinkets from key chains to socks to salt and pepper shakers to remember their vacation. When in Maine, you simply must experience a lobster dinner, lobster boat tour, lobster festival, or lobster boat race. Be sure you check out our plan your stay page for restaurant recommendations.
Fun Facts About Maine Lobsters
- The majority of a Maine lobster’s body weight is derived from their two big claws. In other words, there is a lot of good meat in those claws.
- Uncooked lobsters are typically a combination of browns, greens, and blacks (perfect for blending in on the ocean floor). Very occasionally yellow, orange, or blue lobsters are found. All Maine lobsters are bright red after they are cooked.
- Maine lobsters live in cold-water climates which results in a sweet meat.
- Most lobstermen catch lobsters the same way their grandparents did by using traditional traps.
- There are reports from the 17th century of lobsters that were four feet long and weighed six pounds. Just imagine having a pot big enough to serve that lobster at your dinner table!
- Eating lobster is not just delicious. It can also be healthy. Lobsters are great sources of protein. They have also been shown to boost brain health, support a healthy immune system, and assist with thyroid function.
Where To Eat Lobster at a Traditional Clambake Near Boothbay
Almost every restaurant in Boothbay will have some sort of lobster on the menu. There are whole steamed lobsters, lobster rolls, lobster bisque, and lobster tails. You may even find a bloody mary with a lobster claw garnish. But if you want the quintessential Maine lobster experience, you must enjoy a clambake along the water. The Bennie Alice sails from Pier 6 to Cabbage Island seven days a week from mid-June until Labor Day.
- The Moore Family has been hosting visitors for clambakes for 36 years.
- Tours last four hours from departure to arrival back at the dock. Most tours depart Boothbay Harbor at 12:30 pm. There is an evening option on Saturdays as well as a brunch and later afternoon option on Sundays. The sail to the island is part of the fun as guests are treated to a narrated tour of the Maine coastline.
- The menu includes fish chowder, two lobsters, steamers (clams), potato, onion, egg, and corn on the cob. Everything is steamed over an open fire. A roasted half chicken option is available for non-seafood eaters. Save room for dessert to enjoy the best blueberry cake in the state.
- Before returning to Boothbay Harbor, visitors are encouraged to explore the island, relax and watch the waves, or play horseshoes, badminton, or volleyball.
- The clambake is a popular tour. Advance reservations are highly recommended.
Boothbay Lobster Boat Tours
Curious about the life of a lobster hauler? Take a lobster boat tour to see first-hand how the whole process works. While every lobster boat tour in Maine is a little bit different, you will probably do much of this on your tour:
- Watch a lobster trap get pulled. Some tours allow you to purchase lobsters caught while on the boat.
- Learn about the lobster industry. What is a good catch? What else sometimes gets caught in the traps?
- Hear “fish tales” from the experiences of the staff on the boats.
- Enjoy a little sightseeing including lighthouses, beaches, and other sea life while on the open water. Make sure to bring your camera because you may see porpoises, seals, and whales.
Ready to book a lobster boat tour from Boothbay, Maine? Check out the sailing vessel Sarah Meade. The 42-foot sloop can take up to six passengers and has multiple sailings each day from the beginning of June until the end of September. The fishing vessel Sea Swallow offers one-hour tours. Cap’n Fish has been bringing visitors on lobster trap hauls for over fifty years.
If heading out on a boat is not your style, you can go to Boothbay Lobster Wharf to watch the lobstermen unload their catch each day.
Boothbay, Maine Lobster Festivals
Everyone is invited to Boothbay in June for the annual Claw Down event. Foodies, foodies-in-training, and general seafood lovers come to town to try the best lobster bites available. Local chefs compete with their personal creations in hopes of winning the Judge’s Choice or People’s Choice award. The winning chef receives more than just bragging rights in Boothbay; they go on to compete in Portland’s Harvest on the Harbor event in October. Tickets for this fun event typically go on sale in early May. Get your ticket early to make sure your vote is counted for the best lobster bite in Boothbay. The Claw Down is part of a full weekend of events related to the lobster and fishing industry in Maine. Fishin’ for Fashion is a one-of-a-kind fashion event where the clothing is made from fishing industry materials.
Maine Lobster Boat Races
The work of a lobsterman is tough with early morning hours and long days, but on the weekends they let their hair down and have a little fun with the boats. Lobster boat races happen on different dates up and down the coast of Maine. There are bragging rights for winning one race. There are even more bragging rights for racking up points by winning multiple races. The history of the races goes back to the early 1900s; organized races started in 1964. These days, some of the races draw up to 100 boats and spectators watch from both land and tour boats. Boothbay gets the honor of hosting the first lobster boat races in Maine each year. Spectators gather early on the shores of Boothbay Harbor with their binoculars. Pick a favorite boat and cheer them to the finish line.
