Puffins! Machais Seal Island, Petite Manan, Eagles & Coastal Seascapes
Monday June 21st - Tuesday June 29th, 2027
Join Us For 9 Days!
$5525.00 per person, paid in full, non-refundable (save $700)
Payment plan available for the regular price of $6225.00 (additional processing fee of 5% )
Please contact me for information.
The immersive experience is for up to 6 guests with 2 instructors
Level of difficulty: moderate
Accommodations: historic home just 3 minutes from our boat.
Our workshop is primarily focused on photographing puffins up to 5 times (weather depending) in their natural habitat, inspiring participants to unlock their creativity and express themselves through photography and adventure. In the evening, we have the options of exploring seascapes and photographing bald eagles! Both of the evening events will be scheduled based on the tide.

Imagine embarking on an extraordinary week-long adventure in northern Maine, where your primary focus is photographing the enchanting puffins, alongside a wealth of other captivating wildlife and stunning seascapes. This exclusive tour is meticulously organized and promises an experience that is both immersive and exhilarating.
Nestled in the untouched wilderness of northern Maine, this remote beach is a hidden gem where time seems to stand still. The gentle waves lap against the pristine shoreline, creating a soothing symphony that enchants all who visit. With its breathtaking sunsets and serene atmosphere, this magical beach offers a peaceful retreat from the world, leaving visitors in awe of its natural beauty.

Tucked away and barely visible from the road, this hidden, secluded beach offers a serene escape from the world. To reach it, you embark on a short walk through a lush, verdant forest, with a narrow, winding path that only hints at the treasure ahead. As you emerge from the woods, the sight of the pristine shoreline unfolds before you—a tranquil, untouched stretch of sand bordered by gentle waves and framed by the natural beauty of the surrounding foliage. This hidden gem provides a perfect end of the day loaction for seascape photography.
Information
Below Are The Rooms Available For This Trip. First person to book the trip, gets first choice and so on. Scroll down to the bottom for our cancellation policy.
Luxury Private Suite For 2 on the first floor, traveling with a friend or Spouse? This room is perfect.
2 Elegant Private Rooms Second Floor
Available For 2
Third Floor Room, Two Beds For 2 Guests, Single Supplement Available.

The House At A Glance
"My trip to a remote area of Maine with Judy was an unforgettable adventure. She organized a private charter for our group of six, featuring a registered Maine guide who expertly navigated us close to puffins, seals, and even an eagle! We also learned a little bit about lobstering, and life in a working fishing village, which made the experience all the more richer. Judy's guidance on camera settings and photo editing was invaluable for someone like me with little experience photographing birds in flight. Our accommodations in a stunning house within a quaint fishing village allowed us to witness eagles frequently by the harbor. Judy’s adventurous spirit and her knack for connecting with locals provided us with exclusive tips leading to hidden seascape photography spots that are either lesser-known or inaccessible to the general public. With only a few locations in the US to photograph puffins, Judy undoubtedly found the best spot and delivered an unparalleled experience."
Amy Masi, MD Photographer
"What an amazing experience Judy Reinford created! A chance of a lifetime to get to photograph Puffins without leaving the US. She arranged an amazing small lobster style boat experience that gets you right up near the Puffins on their private nesting and breeding island. We had fantastic chances to photograph in all sorts of conditions. We also got to see not only Puffins, but Terns, Guillemots, Razorbills, Eiders and I even got 3 Oyster catchers flying by! Even fat harbor seals and an Eagle posing majestically on a rocky outcropping. The surrounding towns offered more amazing experiences, great food ( lobster of course!) beautiful craggy landscapes, working harbors and boats. The house was perfectly sized for the group, offering plenty of space as a group and comfortable accomodations. As an experienced bird photographer myself, Judy still has so much to offer all levels! I came back from it complaining I had too MANY keeper photos… lol!! I highly recommend this trip and workshop to anyone!"
Betsi Convery Luce, MA Photographer
"Photographing puffins was on my bucket list as a wildlife photographer. Not only did this trip give me the opportunity to capture these delightful birds on water and in the air but there were plenty of eagles around too! The airbnb we stayed in was so spacious and clean with lots of rooms: a large kitchen and dining area, a living room with a tv and plenty of seating, and a porch with a gas fireplace. So cozy! We had some time to venture into nearby towns to sightsee, shop and eat lobster. Gotta have lobster while in Maine! The boat captain was very accommodating and friendly, taking us on a fun adventure with the puffins, and even giving us a glimpse into the world of lobster fishing. I came home with more than 9,000 images of puffins and eagles. I am delighted with the results!"
Kristy Steeves, OH Photographer


What puffin photography locations are included in this workshop?
This workshop includes opportunities to photograph puffins in two different locations: Petit Manan Island and Machias Seal Island. Our Petit Manan Island trips are boat-based. We will not land on the island. These trips leave directly from the harbor in Milbridge, the town where we are staying. Our Machias Seal Island trip is a different experience. Weather and sea conditions permitting, this trip may allow participants to land on the island and photograph puffins from blinds. Machias Seal Island landings are always dependent on safe conditions and are not guaranteed. Bold Coast Charter notes that island landings may be affected by wind, rolling seas, and overall sea conditions. The island is 10 miles off the coast of Maine.
How many Petit Manan puffin boat trips are included?
The workshop includes four scheduled boat trips to Petit Manan Island, weather and sea conditions permitting. These trips are designed specifically for our photography group. We will be the only people on the boat for these Petit Manan outings, which gives us a more focused, flexible, photography-centered experience.
Will we land on Petit Manan Island?
No. We will not land on Petit Manan Island. All photography at Petit Manan will be done from the boat. Petit Manan is part of a protected seabird nesting habitat. During nesting season, seabird islands in the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex are closed to the public to minimize disturbance to birds; commercial tour boats provide views of nesting seabirds from the water.
Where does the Petit Manan boat leave from?
The Petit Manan boat leaves directly from the harbor in Milbridge, Maine, which is where we are staying. This is one of the big advantages of this workshop. We do not need to drive a long distance before those boat trips. We can have breakfast at the house, gather our gear, and head to the harbor from town. We leave early, though!
What is the Petit Manan boat experience like?
The Petit Manan trips are smaller-boat, boat-based photography outings. We will photograph puffins, seabirds, the lighthouse, and coastal wildlife from the water. Because we are photographing from a boat, participants should be comfortable working with a long lens while standing or seated on a moving platform. The boat may rock, and conditions may vary from calm to choppy depending on the weather and sea state. Foggy conditions can happen as well.
What lens do you recommend for Petit Manan?
For Petit Manan, we recommend a 400–800mm lens or a similar long telephoto setup. Because we will be photographing from the boat and will not be landing on the island or photographing from blinds, so the extra reach is helpful.
Is the Machias Seal Island trip different from Petit Manan?
Yes. These are two very different puffin experiences. Petit Manan is boat-based. We stay on the boat, photograph from the water, and do not land. Machias Seal Island involves landing on the island and photographing from blinds, if weather and sea conditions allow. Machias Seal Island is known as one of the rare places accessible from the U.S. where the public may photograph Atlantic puffins from land, and Bold Coast Charter is the U.S.-based company authorized for those landings.
Will we definitely land on Machias Seal Island?
No. A landing on Machias Seal Island is not guaranteed. Machias Seal Island is exposed, offshore, and subject to changing sea conditions. The captain makes safety decisions based on wind, surf, visibility, rolling seas, and the ability to safely transfer passengers. We will be notified of our departure time the night before our trip by the company. If our trip is cancelled due to weather, you will be issued a refund by check after we return home. If our trip is not cancelled but a landing is not possible, no refund will be issued. There may still be opportunities to view and photograph seabirds from the water, but the blind experience depends on safe landing conditions.
How far away is the boat for Machias Seal Island?
The boat leaves from Cutler Harbor, about an hour away from our location. We will need to be on the road very early (3:30 am) to make our departure time.
What is the Machias Seal Island landing like?
The Machias Seal Island landing is more physically involved than the Petit Manan boat trips. Participants may need to transfer from the main boat to a smaller craft and then onto rocky, uneven shoreline. Once on the island, photography is done from blinds to minimize disturbance to the nesting birds. This experience requires balance, mobility, and comfort moving carefully on wet or uneven surfaces.
What lens should I bring for Machias Seal Island?
For Machias Seal Island, puffins may come much closer than they do during boat-based photography, especially if we are able to photograph from blinds. A two-camera setup with 1 lens in the 100–400mm, 100–500mm, or even 200–600mm, and on the second camera a 70-200 or a 24-105 can work well. A wider lens (16-35mm) for landscapes, harbors, sunsets, and coastal scenes.
Do I need a tripod?
You will not need a tripod for most puffin photography from the boat. On a moving boat, handholding or using image stabilization is generally more practical. A tripod may be useful for sunset, seascapes, landscape work, or slower shutter-speed coastal images. If you bring one, choose something sturdy but manageable.
What camera gear should I bring?
Recommended gear includes: DSLR or mirrorless camera body
Long telephoto lens, ideally 400–800mm or similar for Petit Manan
Telephoto zoom such as 100–400mm, 100–500mm, or 200–600mm, and a 24-105 or 70-200 for Machias Seal Island
Wide-angle or midrange lens for landscapes and coastal scenes (16-35mm)
Extra batteries
Plenty of memory cards, larger memory cards are better for the boat. It is really hard to change cards on the boat.
Rain cover for the camera and lens
Lens cloths
Comfortable camera strap or harness
Camera backpack or dry bag
Laptop for image review/editing
Card reader
External drive or backup method
What should I wear on the boat?
Dress in layers. Even in June, mornings on the water can be cool, windy, and damp.
Recommended clothing includes:
Warm base layer or fleece.
Windproof or rain-resistant outer layer.
Quick-dry pants.
Sturdy shoes with good grip, wool or synthetic socks.
A hat for warmth and wind.
Sun hat or brimmed hat for brighter days.
Sunscreen Sunglasses.
Thin gloves if your hands get cold easily.
For the Machias Seal Island trip, shoes with excellent grip are especially important because landing conditions can involve wet, rocky, uneven terrain.
How physically demanding is this workshop?
The workshop is generally easy to moderate, but the two puffin experiences have different physical demands. The Petit Manan trips are boat-based and do not require landing on an island. Participants should be comfortable boarding a smaller boat, moving carefully on deck, and photographing from a boat. The Machias Seal Island trip is more physically demanding if a landing occurs. It may involve boat transfer, uneven footing, wet rocks, and walking carefully to and from the blinds.
What happens if the weather affects the boat trips?
The weather is part of coastal wildlife photography. Fog, wind, rain, changing light, and sea conditions may affect departure times, boat routes, island landings, or optional evening outings. We have multiple puffin opportunities built into the schedule, including four Petit Manan trips and one Machias Seal Island experience. If conditions interfere with one plan, we will adjust as needed. Options may include image review, editing instruction, local scouting, eagle photography, coastal landscapes, rest time, or schedule changes.
Will we photograph anything besides puffins?
Yes. Puffins are the main attraction, but we may also photograph other seabirds, including eagles, coastal landscapes, the Petit Manan lighthouse, working harbors, rocky shoreline, sunset scenes, and possibly eagles at a nearby location. The exact opportunities will depend on weather, tides, light, wildlife activity, and boat conditions.
Are the Petit Manan trips private?
Yes. For the four Petit Manan boat trips, our group will be the only people on the boat. This is a major benefit for photographers. We will not be sharing space with a general sightseeing group, and the outing can be more focused on photography.
Are image reviews included?
Yes. We will build in time for image review, camera settings discussion, troubleshooting, and editing support. These sessions are especially useful because we can review what happened during a morning boat trip and make adjustments before the next outing.
What skill level is this workshop best for?
This workshop is appropriate for enthusiastic beginners through experienced photographers. You should be comfortable using your camera, changing settings, and working with a telephoto lens. You do not need to be an expert wildlife photographer. We will discuss autofocus strategies, shutter speed, exposure, composition, and how to adapt to changing boat, light, and wildlife conditions.
Can I come if I mostly want the experience and not the intense instruction?
Yes. Some participants enjoy deep technical discussion and image review, while others want a beautiful, well-organized wildlife photography experience with guidance when needed. The workshop will include instruction and support, but it is not meant to feel like a photography boot camp. During the day, you have the option to head out on your own for adventure.
Can my spouse/partner come too?
Yes, we can accommodate one non-photographing spouse or partner when space allows. A non-photographing spouse or partner would share the first-floor bedroom with the participating photographer. This bedroom has its own private bathroom. Non-photographing guests are welcome to join the group activities, including the boat trips and eagle photography outings, even though they are not participating as photographers. Because non-photographing guests are not receiving the full photography instruction, their fee is lower than the full photographer workshop price. However, because they still benefit from lodging, planning, curated locations, transportation logistics, boat access, group outings, meals or shared supplies where applicable, and the overall workshop experience, the non-photographing guest fee is still a substantial portion of the regular workshop price. This option is limited, must be arranged in advance, and is available only when lodging and group logistics allow. Please contact Judy before registering to discuss availability and pricing.
Can I share a bedroom with another photographer?
Our workshop pricing is based on single-occupancy lodging, with one photographer assigned to each available bedroom whenever possible. We do have one third-floor bedroom with two beds that may be used as a shared-room option for two photographers traveling together. However, this option is only available after the private bedrooms have been filled or once the workshop minimum has been met and room assignments are finalized. If a shared-room arrangement is approved, the only discount applied is to the lodging portion of the workshop fee. Each photographer still pays the full cost of instruction, boat trips, outings, supplies, planning, and included workshop experiences. Shared-room availability is limited, not guaranteed, and must be arranged in advance.
What meals are included?
Continental breakfasts will be available at the house each morning. Lunch fixings will also be available at the house so participants can make simple lunches around the workshop schedule. Restaurant meals, dinners, snacks while exploring, and meals eaten independently away from the house are not included unless specifically stated.
Is lodging included?
Yes. Lodging at the workshop house is included for the listed workshop dates. Participants should plan to arrive after 4:00 pm on Monday, June 21, and depart on Tuesday, June 29, 2027, by 10 am.
Do I need my own transportation?
Yes. Participants are responsible for transportation to and from Milbridge, Maine. Because the Petit Manan boat leaves from Milbridge, we will not have a long drive for those outings. However, participants may want a vehicle for independent exploring, optional activities, shopping, sightseeing, or meals out. For group outings, we may coordinate carpools of 2 to 3 cars when practical, but participants should not assume that all transportation will be provided.
What if I get seasick?
Both Petit Manan and Machias Seal Island involve boat travel. If you are prone to motion sickness, please plan ahead and bring whatever motion-sickness remedy works for you. Check with your physician or pharmacist if you are unsure what is appropriate. It is much better to prepare and not need it than to discover your inner sea tragedy halfway to the puffins. In the past, participants have had good results with Dramamine, Seabands, or Relief Bands. Ginger chews work really well, too.
Will I get good photos?
Wildlife photography always involves variables: weather, light, bird behavior, distance, sea conditions, and timing. That said, this workshop is designed to give you multiple strong opportunities: four private boat-based trips to Petit Manan, plus the Machias Seal Island experience, conditions permitting. We will help you prepare, adjust settings, review images, and make the most of the conditions we are given.
What is not included?
Unless otherwise stated, participants are responsible for: Transportation to and from Milbridge, Maine. Dinners, restaurant meals, and meals while exploring independently. Travel insurance, Personal expenses, Souvenirs, optional admissions, or independent activities. Acadia National Park requires a park pass.
Should I purchase travel insurance?
Yes. Travel insurance is strongly recommended. This is a coastal wildlife photography workshop with boat trips, lodging, weather-dependent activities, and travel logistics. Travel insurance can help protect you in case of illness, travel disruption, weather-related cancellations, or personal emergencies.
Important Note About Wildlife, Weather, and Boat Conditions.
This is a real wildlife photography experience, not a controlled photo session. Puffin activity, eagle activity, sunset color, fog, wind, tides, sea conditions, boat departures, and island landings are outside our control. We have designed the workshop to include multiple puffin opportunities at both Petit Manan and Machias Seal Island, but all boat-based activities are subject to safe operating conditions. We will adjust the schedule as needed to give the group the best possible photographic opportunities while keeping safety and wildlife respect as top priorities.
PLEASE NOTE: The paid-in-full option has no refund; however, 50% of the fee can be used for private mentoring or online classes, if cancelled more than 180 days before trip.
Canceled 180 days or more before June 1st, 2027, 50% of the paid amount ( except the paid-in-full discounted amount ) for future workshop credit, minus a $250 admin fee.
Canceled 179 - 90 days - No refund
Canceled 90 - 1 day before - No refund
The workshop can be canceled due to medical emergency, family emergency or unsafe travel. If this happens you will receive a full refund. Any incurred expenses for your travel to and from the workshop are not covered by Judy Reinford Photography. We suggest you purchase travel insurance.
Judy Reinford Photography is not liable for any airline or travel cancellations or delays. Please note that arriving at the workshop one or more days late will not entitle you to any refund. Similarly, choosing to leave early for any reason will not entitle you to a refund.
Weather conditions are unpredictable, and safety is our top priority. This experience includes four private chartered boat trips to photograph puffins in a secluded location, and one boat trip opportunity to try to photograph puffins on land. The Captain reserves the right to cancel any outing due to dangerous or inclement weather. There may be opportunities for one or more individuals to join a later boat, but as all rides are limited to six passengers plus a first mate and captain, the likelihood of everyone getting on a makeup boat for missed morning trips is slim. If multiple people want to participate in a makeup trip, names will be drawn at random. Any trips canceled due to weather and not rescheduled will be refunded at the end of our week-long adventure. Please note, refunds will not be provided for trips missed for personal reasons. Your registration includes up to five boat trips, weather permitting.
It is highly recommended to purchase travel and medical insurance for your trip to ensure peace of mind and protection against unforeseen circumstances. This coverage can provide essential assistance in the event of travel delays, cancellations, or medical emergencies, allowing you to fully enjoy your adventure without worry.
By attending this workshop, you consent to being photographed or videotaped by our team. These images and videos may be utilized in future promotional materials to showcase and advertise our events. Your participation helps us share the excitement and value of our workshops with a broader audience, and we greatly appreciate your cooperation in this matter.
All attendees will promptly sign liability forms, which include all terms and conditions, via an online form. This form will be sent to you once you have selected your room package in the house. We're thrilled about this exciting adventure! Let's ensure the paperwork is completed at the beginning so we can focus on having fun.