Price from:
80 USD
Island-Hop Your Way Through Casco Bay
**Fully booked? Give us a call to get on the waitlist!**
Duration
4 Hours
About
This trip offers an island-hopping adventure in the archipelago of gorgeous islands in Casco Bay that lie between the open ocean and Portland harbor. You'll look out for wildlife like seals, eider ducks, herons and osprey and you'll enjoy views of some of the bay's most fascinating landmarks, including lighthouses and historic forts. There are endless options for exploration, so your exact route will depend on the weather conditions and tide cycles.
Halfway through the trip you'll land on an island beach for a break. This tour is the perfect fit for people with some sea kayaking experience who want to venture a bit further than our shorter tours.
Highlights
- Picturesque views of Portland and it’s surrounding islands
- Island beach time!
- Possible sightings of seals, eider ducks, guillemots, osprey, eagles and all sorts of seabirds
- Roughly three hours of slow to moderate-paced sea kayaking; appropriate for novices
What's Included
- Double (two-person) sea kayaks that are stable, swift and perfect for beginners. Or, if you prefer, request a solo kayak.
- Other essential paddling gear: lifejackets, paddle, spray skirt.
- A dry bag to keep your phone and other belongings dry.
- A brief lesson on the basics of sea kayaking taught by an expert kayak guide.
Booking Notes
#We are looking forward to seeing you!
##Important Information
**WHAT TO BRING**
- Water Bottle
- Footwear that can get wet
- Light Jacket (not cotton)
- Sun Protection
- Optional: Camera, Snacks, Binoculars
**CHILDREN:** Children age 12 to 15 are welcome on our tours if they paddle in a tandem kayak with an adult. If you would like to go paddling with a child under age 12 please consider our Family Sea Kayak Tour.
**WHEN & WHERE TO ARRIVE:** Please arrive ten minutes before your tour is scheduled to start. You will see our signs at the end of Cutter Street by the East End Beach. Use the map above to find us or view the directions on our website.
**PARKING:** There is free all-day parking in the lot halfway down the hill on Cutter Street about 50 yards from Portland Paddle. When that lot is full you can find free parking on streets in the residential neighborhoods nearby. The parking spaces right beside Portland Paddle are limited to 5 minutes or two hours and some are reserved for vehicles with boat trailers.
**TANDEM VS. SOLO:** We typically use tandem (two-person) sea kayaks on our shorter tours, but you may request a solo kayak if you have previous experience using one. Please reply to your confirmation email with this request. We try to accommodate everyone’s preferences, but ultimately your guide will make the final decision based primarily on safety considerations. We find that tandems are best for most people because they are more stable and spacious. Plus, if you get tired, your partner can pick up the slack! If you are joining a tour on your own, you will either be given a solo kayak or paired up with another person in the group.
**WHAT TO WEAR:** It's often cooler on the water than on land, so bring a warm layer even if it is a warm day. Sometimes we get slightly wet from seaspray or from water dripping off the paddles. Cotton will not keep you warm if it gets wet, so it's best to leave the blue jeans and t-shirts at home and wear fleece, nylon, wool or other non-cotton materials.
**FOOTWEAR:** You may need to step in shallow while getting in and out of your kayak, so you should wear shoes that you don't mind getting wet. Watershoes, sandals and sneakers are good options.
**TIPPING:** We encourage you to offer a gratuity to your guide if you are satisfied with your experience. Tips are never expected, but always appreciated. A common tip on our day tours is $5-$10 per person. Tips can be given directly to the guide (cash or Venmo) or online via the follow-up email you’ll receive.
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel one of our regularly-scheduled tours or lessons, or a rental booking…
- More than 48 hours in advance: You will receive a full refund.
- Between 2 hours and 48 hours in advance: You will receive a 50% refund.
- Less than 2 hours in advance: You will not receive a refund, and we cannot apply any amount paid to booking on another date.
If you need to reduce the number of people in your group within 48 hours of your booking we will reduce your total booking amount by 50% of the cost of each person that is being removed from the booking.
If you have booked out a regularly scheduled tour as a private tour, our private tour cancellation policy applies instead. In order to receive a full refund on any private tour, you must cancel with more than 14 days notice. The full text of our cancellation policies can be found at: https://www.portlandpaddle.net/cancellation-policy/
WEATHER
We will offer the option of a full refund if we decide to cancel your booking due to weather conditions. We usually do not cancel tours due to overcast skies, cool temperatures or scattered showers, but we do cancel when winds are too strong, when there is steady, heavy rain, or when sustained thunderstorms appear likely.
Please keep in mind that the weather along the Maine coast is unpredictable and quick-to-change. Forecasts made several days in advance are very frequently inaccurate, and it is very common for a single summer day to include several hours of ideal conditions and several hours of very poor conditions.
