Things to do / Travel Guide
Aside from urban activities and happenings in places like Portland, Augusta, and Freeport, there's plenty to do outdoors in the Maine Coast region. Be sure to stop by Freeport's L.L. Bean Flagship Store before you set out on your outdoor adventure; it's open 24/7! Indeed, there's no end to the diving possibilities in the region, and it isn't only diving! From Casco Bay in the south to Penobscot Bay towards the middle to Machias Bay in the north, this gorgeous region offers as many outdoors activities as there are islands. Since there are literally thousands of islands, you have your work cut out for you, be it diving, kayaking, fishing, biking, or hiking. For all these outdoors activities, Maine has an excellent selection of national and state parks, where nature is preserved in nothing short of pristine form.
Water Activities on the Maine Coast
As you emerge from the water after a refreshing dive on Boon Island among the seals, reflect on the other exciting dives to challenge you along the Maine Coast: nearby Boon Island Ledge, under the shadow of the vessel Empire Knight's dark tomb, the Isles of Shoals, where the long sunbeams thrust through the water, and Nubile Light, among the forests of shimmering kelp. Every diving location offers a lush variety of stone formations and outcroppings, and of fish, edible and otherwise.
Should you decide to kayak or canoe these waters, you'll be presented with a lavish choice of unspoiled spots all along the region's shores, from rocky shorelines and coves to secluded islands. There are plenty of islands you can visit in the Stonington Archipelago, starting with Deer Island. Hopping from island to island, exploring the numerous coves, inlets, and bays, you'll find the scenery outstanding, and watch in fascination as the many waterfowl fish for their lunch. These fowl include the majestic osprey, the blue heron, cranes, pelicans, and others.
You should also consider Mt. Desert Island and Acadia National Park, a paradise of lake kayaking and canoeing. The many lakes, formed many millions of years ago by passing glaciers, are prime territory for exploring interesting rock formations and eying the various birds. The largest lake, Long Lake, is shouldered by two mountains on either side of its stretched-out body. Acadia and the Stonington Archipelago are both acclaimed as some of the best sea and lake kayaking spots along the East Coast, and your time is well spent in these areas.
Tales of giant sea catches circulate frequently in the region, and most likely some are true. When you cast your line anywhere along the Maine Coast, you are becoming a link in the chain of the millions of anglers, going all the way back to the early days of the Native Americans. The fish are abundant, and the friendly inhabitants of every town and every city can point you in the right direction to the nearest piers, from which you can cast a line, or take a boat out for the bigger and better fishing opportunities. Catch the biggest cod, striped bass, bluefin tuna, wolfish, or pollock you've ever seen - then you'll find it to be the tastiest, as well.
The streams, rivers, and lakes throughout the region also offer abundant fishing opportunities, and the great outdoors has never been so bountiful with mouthwatering bass and trout. Fried up with a bit of garlic and lemon pepper, these beauties are clearly a regional highlight.
Land-based Activities on the Maine Coast
If hiking is your preferred vacation activity, then visiting Acadia National Park on foot is a must. Several awesome hikes introduce you to the Atlantic, Somes Sound, Echo Lake, the Gulf of Maine, the Cranberry Isles, Champlain Mountain, and Cadillac Mountain, among others. The hikes vary in difficulty, as you can make your way along sandy porous beaches, or over jagged, pink-granite cliffs. Climbing up the park's small sea cliffs like Great Head or Otter Cliff provides for fantastic views of the sea and the outlying islands.
Biking in the region affords many of the same sea-breeze views as hiking does, with the added speed of two wheels in addition to your two feet. The Maine Coast has plenty of awesome rides, as exemplified by the Eastern Trail, which takes you along such precious locations as Vaughn Woods State Park, the Piscataqua River, and Scarborough Marsh. You can join the many thousands of visitors and locals that have been making the region one of the U.S.' top biking destinations.
Maine Coast from Above
You'll agree that the Maine Coast is too good to visit just from the water or the ground. Catch a hot-air balloon ride, and witness the contours of the land and the outer-reaches of the sea from a whole new perspective. From up above you'll really garner an appreciation for the place locals refer to (at least on their license plates) as “Vacationland.”
The region's infrastructure, based on a history of forest and sea industries, and headquartering one of the world's largest outdoors outfitters in L.L. Bean, is perfectly attuned to the needs and desires of the outdoors-lover. It draws you in with an abundance of outdoors sports, pampering and challenging you, for an unforgettable celebration of the dance between land and water.
Outdoor Recreation in Portland, Bangor, Acadia, Bar Harbor and the Maine Coast
Outdoor-Sports-Recreation
Hills Beach - Biddeford, Maine
Camden Hills State Park Beach - Maine
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