Kathy,

I happen to be a Penobscot, but I was born, and for the most part raised, in Texas. I first moved to Maine when I was 15 and have moved between Maine, Texas, and California since that time.

Edit:
We tried to go whale watching out of Bar Harbor a couple Octobers ago with my Dad and Stepmother. Unfortunately, the water was far too choppy at that time to go out. I don't know if choppy water is typical in October, but the guarantee only applies if you can get the tickets in the first place since they won't sell them if they expect the water to be rough. If you do go out you are pretty much guaranteed to see whales, however, the underwater terrain keeps whales in a particular area pretty much year round.

However, if you want to go whale watching and aren't able to do so, there should still be plenty of fall colors and scenery to see in Acadia National park in October.