JONESPORT, MAINE • LOBSTER TOURS • DOWNEAST COAST
A Real Downeast Boat Tour from Jonesport, Maine
Maine’s Authentic Ventures was founded by Maverick and Gabrielle Beal to share the real, working waterfront of Jonesport, Maine with visitors looking for a hands-on Downeast experience.
Maverick is an 11th-generation descendant of Manwarren Beal Jr, the founder of Beal’s Island directly connected to Jonesport. Captain Maverick grew up fishing these exact waters alongside his grandfather, Ralph Smith, and great grandfather, Raymond Smith. After falling in love with Maverick and the bold coast of Maine, Gabrielle moved from Florida, married into the lifestyle, and now works alongside her husband on the Joyce Ellen.
Together, they offer private boat tours shaped by real lobster fishing, local waters, island views, wildlife, and the quiet beauty of Downeast Maine. This isn’t a standard tourist attraction, it is your chance to step aboard a multi-generational family lobster boat, the Joyce Ellen, and see what life on the water really looks like.
Booking
Book Your Tour With
Captain Maverick Beal
Boat
Tour options
satisfied customers
Lobsters
Caught
TOURS ABOARD THE JOYCE ELLEN
Choose Your Time on the Water
$275
Tour
3-Hour Jonesport Experience
$225
Tour
2-Hour Rugged Coast Tour
We provide an Authentic Maine's Experience
Testimonials
What Clients Say
Private Boat Tours:
Spend time on the water without the crowded tour-boat feel. Each trip is kept small so the experience feels personal, relaxed, and worth remembering.
Why Our Boat:
The Joyce Ellen carries family history, working water roots, and a story that started generations ago, right here on the coast.
Don't Just Watch
Work The Traps:
Guests step up to the rail, haul real lobster traps out of the water alongside Maverick, and learn the authentic way to handle the local catch.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Hands-on, Traps, and a Fisherman's Lifestyle
When you step aboard the Joyce Ellen, you are leaving the standard tourist tracks behind. You will step up to the rail, haul real lobster traps out of the water, and learn how to handle the local catch exactly like a Maine insider.
You will also experience the unique, mystical environment of the Bold Coast. Jonesport is famous for its thick fog, which can roll in so quickly that the mainland completely disappears. You will get a first hand look at how old timers navigated these waters by feel and sound, giving you a rare, authentic glimpse into a lifestyle shaped by the elements.
Above all, you can expect an look at the deep community and family roots that keep this working waterfront alive. Maverick will share stories passed down through generations, from his grandfather’s proposal on the original boat to rare catches like Charlie the blue lobster. It is a welcoming, unscripted experience designed to give you lasting memories of the real Downeast Maine.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Before You Come Aboard
Every trip on the Joyce Ellen is a little different because the water is never exactly the same. The weather, tide, route, and tour you choose all shape the experience.
These questions will help guests know what to expect before they book, keeping the answers simple and honest. The goal is to make people feel prepared, comfortable, and excited to step aboard.
Yes. Tours aboard the Joyce Ellen are designed for small private groups of up to six people. That keeps the trip personal and gives you more room to enjoy the water, ask questions, and take in the experience without feeling packed into a crowd.
If you want the fuller experience, choose the Coastal Legacy Tour. It is a three-hour trip that brings together the Jonesport coast, local history, wildlife, scenic water, lighthouses and the working-harbor side of the area.
If you want a shorter hands-on trip, choose The Lobster Way. It is a two-hour rugged coast tour with more focus on lobster fishing, hauling traps, reading buoy strings, and learning how the work is done.
Yes, Both tours will have a time for lobster fishing. Captain Maverick can walk guests through things like hauling traps, reading buoy strings, measuring lobsters, banding lobsters, and understanding more about the catch.
Dress Warmly: It is always much colder on the water than it is on shore. We highly recommend bringing a jacket or sweatshirt to stay comfortable. The Joyce Ellen does not have a heated cabin.
Sun Protection: We do not have a covered area to provide shade, so we recommend bringing hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
Sightseeing: Feel free to bring binoculars and cameras for sightseeing and seal watching.
Yes, especially for families who want something more personal than a crowded sightseeing boat. The trip gives guests a chance to slow down, ask questions, see the coast from the water, and experience a side of Maine that feels more connected to the people who live here.
Yes, every booking includes one complementary lobster per customer for you to take home at the end of the tour. Your complimentary lobster that you caught will be ready for you when we get back to the dock.
No, the Joyce Ellen does not have a restroom on board. We highly recommend using the facilities on shore before we depart, but we are prepared if an emergency comes up.
It depends on how you usually handle the motion of the ocean. The Joyce Ellen is a sturdy boat designed for these waters, but you will feel the movement of the sea. If you are prone to motion sickness, we recommend taking precautions (like motion sickness medication or bands) before coming aboard. If anyone starts feeling unwell during the trip, just let Captain Maverick know so we can help you stay comfortable.