Situated between Eastport, Maine, and Deer Island, New Brunswick lies a remarkable natural wonder—the Old Sow Whirlpool. It is known as the largest tidal whirlpool in the Western Hemisphere, so when we were planning to visit Eastport, I knew I had to visit. Here is everything you need to know about visiting the Old Sow.

The Old Sow Whirlpool

I had never even heard of the Old Sow until I looked on a map of Eastport and saw it marked as a tourist attraction. So I was beyond excited to find out what it was. The Old Sow Whirlpool is a spectacular display of tidal forces at work, occurring where the powerful currents of the Bay of Fundy intersect.

This massive whirlpool can span up to 250 feet in diameter and creates swirling, churning waters that captivate anyone who sees it. What makes the Old Sow particularly cool is its ever-changing nature—no two visits are the same.

The whirlpool’s intensity varies with the tides, and it can produce secondary whirlpools and unpredictable eddies.

We took a Whale Watching Tour to safely visit the Old Sow with Eastport Windjammers!

Eastport Windjammers

We took a tour with Eastport Windjammers, an amazing local company with a friendly team. We boarded the boat easily at our scheduled tour time of 1:30 PM. After boarding, the captain took us out on the water as we made our way to the Old Sow.

We also packed a cooler of water and beer from Horn Run Brewing to enjoy on the boat! Horn Run sells single beers, so you can grab just a couple if you want. Many others brought snacks and other drinks too.

During our ride, we spotted small whirlpools known as ‘Piglets.’ They were surrounded by small islands in Canada and tiny lighthouses. We even saw a bald eagle perched on one of the lighthouses.

As we approached the Old Sow, we saw the large whirlpool, moving quickly. I didn’t get to grab a photo since I was too mesmerized by it.

Thanks to our captain, we cruised safely by it. However, I heard stories of how kayakers and small boats have been taken into the whirlpool. Most have returned safely, but a few did not.

Whale Watching

The best part of this tour is that it’s actually a whale-watching tour, so you get the best of both worlds. After seeing the Old Sow, we continued into the deep sea to view minke whales, porpoises, and tons of seals.

Pro Tip: Bring binoculars! You can get a close-up view of the wildlife more easily this way.

Lighthouses

We also cruised past a few famous lighthouses, which were beautiful to see from the shore.

Just when I thought the tour was over, it wasn’t. We swung by the captain’s lobster traps, and he showed us how he pulled them up. Inside were crabs and lobsters.

He pulled one out, contained the claws, and let everyone hold the lobster. It was amazing to see how the Maine lobster industry works, and I was delighted to see the rules set in place for our marine life.

If you love lobster rolls, read my article: A Local’s Guide To The Best Lobster Rolls In Maine (2024 + Prices)!

The entire tour lasted about three hours, providing us with some of the best wildlife viewings we could ask for, and of course, a once-in-a-lifetime view of the Old Sow.

Do I Need Reservations To See The Old Sow?

Yes, I recommend making reservations. We called a week in advance, and they added us to the time slot we wanted. You can also sign up on the day of the tour, and if they have spots available, they will gladly take you. There were about thirty people on our boat.

They do not have an online booking system, you will need to call them at 207-853-2500.

Where Is Eastport Windjammers?

You can find them downtown in Eastport, Maine.

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