Bays, harbors and inlets are an important part of life in Maine, and a Midcoast Maine vacation is incomplete without spending at least some time on the water.

Balmy Days Cruises offers many options for sea-faring tourists in the region. The boat tours leave from Pier 8 in Boothbay Harbor, about a half-hour drive south of the Newcastle Inn. The boat line offers one-hour harbor tours, a lighthouse tour, a fishing expedition, a wind-powered trip aboard a Friendship Sloop, and day trip to beautiful Monhegan Island.

Monhegan Island, renowned for its natural beauty, is about 10 miles off the Maine Coast.  Visitors can enjoy spectacular ocean views, migratory birds and the island’s 17 miles of hiking trails. The island has art galleries, shops and cafes. Between June 5 and Sept. 28, 2014, Balmy Days Cruises will offer daily trips to the island. The boat leaves at 9:30 a.m. and departs Monhegan at 4:15 p.m. after three hours and 45 minutes on the island.

The lighthouse tour takes visitors to tour the Burnt Island lighthouse, where keeper Joseph Muise and his family will acquaint you with lighthouse living as it was in the 1950s. Visit their home and climb the spiral staircase into the lantern room. Learn about Maine’s fisheries, flora and fauna on your picturesque hike around the 5-acre island. Enjoy two-and-a-half hours on Burnt Island and a scenic 15-minute boat ride each way.

On the fishing trip, anglers will stop at several fishing spots in search of mackerel. There are lots of mackerel to be caught in the waters near Boothbay Harbor, and the captain will help you reel in the fish. Tackle provided. The fish are plentiful, the scenery is spectacular, and the company is fun on this 2-hour boat trip.

On any of the boat trips, passengers will be able to relax, enjoy the fresh ocean air and sea breezes, see a variety of birds and marine life and get a glimpse of the daily commercial activity in and around Boothbay Harbor.