The Back and Forth

The Back and Forth WELCOME TO THE BACK & FORTH
Once just a Boat... Now a Fleet!
3 boats offering 8 exciting ways to experience Mid-Coast Maine

About The Back & Forth

For the past 9 seasons we’ve been getting people out on the water in Belfast, Maine in a way that feels real, relaxed, and a little different. We run small-group boat experiences from Belfast City Dock aboard traditional wooden lobster boats. Everything we do is designed to feel personal — whether that’s a quiet morning cruise with fresh coffee and treats, a hands-on lobste

r fishing trip, or an evening out on the bay with good food and great company. Over the years, we’ve built a mix of experiences that locals and visitors actually enjoy — from treasure hunts for families to sunset cruises with lobster rolls, private charters, and longer coastal trips exploring islands, hidden coves, and places most people don’t get to see. Our lobster fishing experience puts you right in the middle of it — hauling traps, seeing what comes up, and finishing with a proper lobster feast at Young’s. At the other end of the day, our breakfast cruise is all about slowing things down — calm water, fresh coffee, and watching the bay wake up. What ties it all together is simple:
no crowds, no rush, and no “tour” feeling — just time well spent on the water. You’ll see wildlife, working waterfronts, and some of the best views of Belfast Bay — often with a few stories along the way. If you’re visiting, it’s a great way to experience the coast. If you’re local, it’s something you’ll actually want to do more than once.

👉 Check out the trips, sign up for updates, or come out on the water:
www.thebackandforth.com

PRE-SUMMER WEEKEND SPECIAL | April 4–5 - SAVE 20%Kick off the season early—save 20% on all bookings made this weekend on...
04/04/2026

PRE-SUMMER WEEKEND SPECIAL | April 4–5 - SAVE 20%
Kick off the season early—save 20% on all bookings made this weekend only.

www.thebackandforth.com

Use code SUMMER at checkout (after selecting your guests).
Limited spots. Best times go fast.
👉 See you on the water.








A bit of a blast from the past down at Young’s…One of those moments you don’t forget — a blue lobster fresh out of the w...
04/03/2026

A bit of a blast from the past down at Young’s…

One of those moments you don’t forget — a blue lobster fresh out of the water.

They say it’s about 1 in 2 million… which makes you wonder how many traps you’d have to haul to come across one like this.

We’re now out there doing exactly that on our new lobster pulling experiences — hauling traps, seeing what comes up, and getting a real feel for the working waterfront.

No promises of blue ones… but you never know 👀

Has anyone here ever actually seen one in the flesh?
Shell… flesh… you know what we mean 😄

What’s the difference between a boat ride… and an experience you actually remember?We broke it down—private vs public, t...
04/02/2026

What’s the difference between a boat ride… and an experience you actually remember?

We broke it down—private vs public, timing, group size, and why it all matters more than you think.

Full guide here 👇

If you’re looking for a private boat charter in Mid-Coast Maine, you’ll quickly realize something:Not all boat experiences are the same.From large group cruises to intimate six-person charters, the difference in experience—and how it feels on the water—is significant.Here’s what to know be...

We’ve been keeping this one quiet for a while…After years of tinkering, testing, and more than a few “that’ll never work...
04/01/2026

We’ve been keeping this one quiet for a while…
After years of tinkering, testing, and more than a few “that’ll never work” conversations down on the dock… we’re finally ready to share it.

Introducing The SeeWeed 👀

A glass-bottom lobster boat designed to give you a whole new view of Belfast Bay — not just above the water, but below it too.
You’ll be able to cruise the bay, spot wildlife, and (in theory…) watch what’s happening beneath the surface as you go.
We are looking for brave volunteers to take the maiden voyage so please share.

We’re still running our usual epic experiences — lobster fishing, sunset cruises, treasure hunts, and private charters — but this one might be our most unique yet.

www.thebackandforth.com

Most people think a lobster fishing experience is just a quiet ride around the bay…Until they’re suddenly at the wheel, ...
03/24/2026

Most people think a lobster fishing experience is just a quiet ride around the bay…

Until they’re suddenly at the wheel, chasing a buoy across open water, with the engine roaring and something unknown rising from below.

We wrote a piece about what it’s actually like out there — and it’s not what most people expect.

👉 Read it here: https://www.thebackandforth.com/post/what-it-s-like-on-a-real-maine-lobster-boat-from-the-water

There’s a moment, just after you leave the harbor, where everything changes. The noise from shore fades. The water opens up. And whatever pace you arrived with starts to slow down without you noticing. That’s usually when people realize this isn’t just another boat trip.

Out here… things feel different 🌅No crowds.No noise.Just the water, the sky, and a small group sharing the same moment.W...
03/24/2026

Out here… things feel different 🌅

No crowds.
No noise.
Just the water, the sky, and a small group sharing the same moment.

We’re introducing something new this summer — THE SUNSET SOCIAL aboard the Out & About.

A relaxed cruise around Belfast Bay where visitors and locals alike can step away from it all, meet new people, and watch the sun drop across the horizon.

Bring a drink, settle in, and enjoy an easy evening on the water — the kind that slows everything down.

Sometimes it’s not about what you do…
it’s about where you are, and who you’re with.

Interested?
Sign up for early access and updates:
https://www.thebackandforth.com/special-offers

A Maine Adventure Like No Other 🏴‍☠️For over 9 seasons, we’ve been running our Family Treasure Hunt aboard the Back & Fo...
03/23/2026

A Maine Adventure Like No Other 🏴‍☠️

For over 9 seasons, we’ve been running our Family Treasure Hunt aboard the Back & Forth — with hundreds of 5⭐ adventures and countless young pirates finding their treasure.

Think Goonies meets the sea…
A real lobster boat, a pirate guide, a map, and a race to uncover treasure hidden beneath the waters of Belfast Bay.

It’s become something of a best-kept secret on the Maine coast — small, private trips with just your crew on board.

🗺️ 1.5 hour private experience
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Perfect for families
🏴‍☠️ Real treasure to find (and keep)

If you’re looking for something truly different this summer… this might be it.

03/20/2026

Happy Spring Equinox.
Watching icy clouds float by this morning in the warm sunshine filled us with excitement for the coming season on the water!
How are you spending today?

03/17/2026

We’ve been working on a few new ideas for the season ahead — and we’d love your thoughts.

☕ Breakfast cruises on calm morning water
🗺️ A slightly wild… adult treasure hunt
🌅 Sunset socials with people you haven’t met yet

Which one would you want to see us run?

03/16/2026

Join our crew this summer! ⚓

For the past 8 seasons we’ve been lucky to work with an amazing bunch of characters on the Back & Forth and Out & About — and we’re looking for a few more to join the adventure this year.

We’re currently looking for:

⚓ Captains
🦞 Guides & Pirates

Special position:
📸 Social Media Guide — spend the summer on the water capturing photos and videos of life on a Maine lobster boat.

Season starts May 15th.

Send us a message if you’d like to spend your summer on the water in Maine.

Address

Belfast City Harbor Dock
Belfast, ME
04915

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 9pm
Tuesday 9am - 9pm
Wednesday 9am - 9pm
Thursday 9am - 9pm
Friday 9am - 9pm
Saturday 9am - 9pm
Sunday 9am - 9pm

Telephone

+12073232566

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Back and Forth posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to The Back and Forth:

Share