Things to do / Travel Guide
If you're looking to see the Maine Coast from a different perspective, consider the thrill and challenge of doing it from a kayak. For those of you so inclined, this fun and exciting sport can bring you to unspoiled spots all along this beautiful region's shores, from rocky seascapes and coves to secluded islands. A bit inland, canoeing takes visitors to vistas and views that are among the best in New England. Visitors can easily find everything from an introductory half-day guided kayak or canoe tour to a week-long excursion for the hardcore sportsmen out there.
Another great benefit to this burgeoning sport is the affordability. Unguided rentals begin at just $15 an hour. Two-hour guided jaunts start at around $40 per person. There are even moonlit excursions, also starting at around $40 per person. For the beginner, two-hour safety and rolling classes can be had for about $35 per person - certainly a worthwhile investment. The season is straightforward, beginning in late March (yes, it can be very cold) and running through October (yes, again, cold). Many outfitters offer full service, with rentals, guides, camping facilities, and potentially even a lobster bake to top off the experience. There are a plethora of kayaking locations, but there are a few that stand out as being the best of the best.
A quick word on canoeing in the Maine Coast. There are hundreds of miles of canoeing pleasure to be found in this region. The Maine Coast has a fairly long canoeing season due to a good number of dam-controlled rivers and lakes. Visitors find the late summer and early fall the best time to canoe in the region. An additional perk is the fact that the fall colors are usually at their most spectacular at this time of year. So, here are some suggested spots to kayak and paddle away:
Stonington Archipelago
Stonington Archipelago is a collection of 60 islands along the Down East section of the Maine Coast. There are numerous coves, inlets, and bays to cruise through, and the scenery is outstanding, with many waterfowl to watch as they fish for their lunch. These include osprey, blue heron, cranes, pelicans and others. To see all the islands may take a while, so plan on seeing about five islands in any particular 3-4 hour trip.
Blue Hill Falls
Take a sea kayak trip that combines one of Maine's most spectacularly beautiful and protected harbors with great scenic coastline and amazing, reversing waterfalls. The phenomenon of the reversing falls is caused when the tide is funneled into a narrow channel to create up to three-foot-high standing waves. These falls run 100-200 yards total length, depending on the tidal conditions. Be careful, though - it gets foggy here! Expect a two-hour trip.
Monroe Island (From Rockland Harbor)
This kayaker's delight combines a real and sometimes busy working harbor with various ledges that house seals, along with a natural, rugged shoreline on an undeveloped island. There's even an historic lighthouse to see. Worth the trip, this is about a four-hour kayak, weather and tide permitting.
Mt. Desert Island (Acadia National Park)
During its slow crawl to the sea, the glacial ice mass that dominated the landscape here thousands of years ago scooped out lakes and formed the rounded mountain tops of Mt. Desert Island, providing a paradise for canoers in the process. Most of the ponds on Mt. Desert Island offer outstanding canoeing, with easy access. Among the largest is Long Pond, which can be reached from three access points. The southern end of the pond is still considered park property, with Mansell and Beech Mountain rising up either side of this thin strip of water. A bonus is that visitors will find great hiking trails that lead up both mountains right from the shoreline, giving you a great chance to mix a day's canoeing with some hiking. This is an excellent choice for beginners or families with children.
Seal Cove Pond (Acadia National Park)
For a really tranquil, quiet experience, Seal Cove Pond is an excellent choice. This seldom-used area offers a boat launch that can be reached from the fire roads just north of Seals Cove. Visitors will see the heavily-wooded sites and plenty of wildlife. Great for beginners and families with children.
Saco River
The Saco River offers excellent family paddling opportunities. Known as one of the Maine Coast's best pristine waterways, the Saco River has a nice soft sandy bottom that calls out for visitors to jump in for a swim. There are plenty of great campsites with shade for a comfortable stay, too. There are a ton of put-in and pull-out sites for your canoes, which allow visitors to make use of almost 70 miles of the river as it runs north from New Hampshire to the Atlantic Ocean. The most popular stretch is a 20-mile-long section of river that runs from Swans Falls (by Fryeburg) to Brownfield Bridge (State Road 160). Another popular run is Brownfield Bridge to Hiram. This stretch is about 13 miles long and winds its way through nice quiet countryside. Starting in Hiram and continuing to the coast at Biddeford, visitors will enjoy nice easy canoeing with great views that run an additional 40 miles. The only drawbacks are the fact that you have to pull your canoe out in order to maneuver around five dams along the way. This usually doesn't deter people, as it's not too difficult. There are a couple of rapids that may be dangerous, depending on the water levels, so check with the local guides or authorities before heading out.
Here are some kayak/canoe specialists that can teach you, rent equipment to you, and take you out on guided trips:
- Adventure Bound
- Seaspray Kayaking
- Maine Island Kayak Company
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