Price from:
925 USD
An Adventure in the Island Wonderland Stretching From Penobscot Bay to Acadia National Park
**Fully booked? Give us a call to get on the waitlist!**
Duration
- 4 Days
- 3 Nights
About
The seemingly endless clusters of islands between Penobscot Bay and Mount Desert Island offer all the elements of an idyllic environment for sea kayak camping: Abundant oceanside campsites, countless pocket beaches, infinite route options for exploration, and plenty of opportunities to find shelter from winds and waves. Each island has its own character, history and beauty, and many of them are part of the Maine Island Trail that this trip follows.
Home to quarries that provided granite for Boston, New York, and D.C.s most iconic buildings, this coastline is also home to some of Maine’s prettiest coastline, where rocky shores and towering evergreens meet. While Acadia National Park draws millions of visitors to experience this environment, this trip provides paddlers with a chance to get away from the crowded hiking trails and explore it by water.
Trip Overview
After meeting in Portland to get geared up and hop in the van, you’ll arrive on the pink-granite shores of Penobscot Bay, with views of the mountains of Acadia on the distant horizon. Over the following days you’ll island-hop towards those mountains, eventually reaching the shores of Mount Desert Island, where our van will be waiting to shuttle the group back to Portland.
Each trip follows a unique route depending on the conditions and the group, but you’ll be sure to visit dozens of islands and experience many sides of this region. You can expect to paddle 5-8 hours each day at a moderate pace with plenty of island breaks. We limit the group size to 6 people, and often have fewer.
Logistical Details
The group meets at 8 AM at Portland Paddle on the first day and will return by 6:30 PM on the final day.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS TRIP:
- Island-hopping through the Merchant’s Row archipelago towards the mountains of Acadia National Park
- Visiting dozens of unique islands, potentially including Isle Au Haut, the least visited section of Acadia National Park, and Green Island, with its beloved swimming hole in a historic granite quarry
- Watching the beautiful wooden sailing ships of the Penobscot windjammer fleet glide across the bay and the countless lobster boats tend their traps.
- Experiencing the open waters of Blue Hill Bay, likely spotting harbor seals and gray seals, along with various birds of prey and seabirds.
- Relaxing evenings at gorgeous island campsites, with potential opportunities for hiking island trails, venturing out on night paddles, learning new paddling skills or just enjoying the sunset and the stars.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Well-rounded, delicious meals and snacks - three of each breakfast, lunch and dinner (pack yourself a lunch for the first day)
- Kayaks and other paddling gear
- Two dry bags for packing your belongings
- Licensed Maine guide
- Tent
PARTICIPANT REQUIREMENTS:
We require a slightly higher level of experience for this trip than we do for our shorter trips. However, you do not need to be an expert paddler to join. Since the group will paddle for several hours each day for 4 consecutive days we ask that each participant meet each of the following requirements:
- Prior experience with a multi-day paddling trip (could be canoeing, rafting, etc.)
- Prior experience paddling a sea kayak (sea kayaks are somewhat different than the “recreational” kayaks common on lakes and rivers)
- Prior experience completing a wet exit (capsizing in a kayak) and completing a capsize recovery (getting back into a kayak after a capsize)
- Ability to paddle at a moderate pace for several hours in one day (with plenty of island breaks)
- Ability to walk comfortably on uneven surfaces (such as following a short, rocky trail from a beach to a campsite)
- Comfort with tent camping
If you are lacking any of these requirements, we suggest signing up for one of our lessons or a shorter guided trip before booking this trip. That said, your guide will provide basic instruction, and there will be plenty of opportunities to improve your paddling skills along the way.
Booking Notes
#Important Information Below!
**CHECK-IN DETAILS** You’ll meet your guide and the other participants at our office on the corner of Warren Avenue and Hicks Street (233 Warren Avenue) in Portland at 8am on the first day of the trip. Please access the property via the first driveway on Hicks Street.
**PAYMENT**: You can pay your 50% deposit or complete balance by clicking on the link in this email or by calling our staff at 207-370-9734. If you need to adjust the number of participants in your group please let us know, and see the cancellation policies below for further details.
**TRIP PACKET:** A detailed "trip packet" with a packing list and trip itinerary can be found on the page for your trip on our website. Please review this document and make sure you have the items recommended.
**DIGITAL WAIVER & PRE-TRIP QUESTIONNAIRE:** You will be receiving a email from our waiver system, Wherewolf, shortly with our online waiver and pre-trip questionnaire. Each participant must complete this waiver and questionairre before their trip. Completing it as soon as possible allows us to better prepare to meet your group's needs and preferences. This questionnaire covers dietary restrictions, health matters, gear needs and other information that will help us prepare for your trip. Please make sure information for minors is included.
**OVERNIGHT PARKING**: Overnight parking is available at our 233 Warren Ave location where you will meet your guide. Access to the parking lot is via Hicks Street through the driveway behind our building. Bags and other personal belongings can be left in a secure location within the building.
**TIPPING**: Guide gratuities are never expected but always appreciated. You can provide a tip to your guide directly via cash or payment apps, or by responding to this email asking us to add a gratuity onto your booking.
**LEAVE NO TRACE**: We always strive to minimize our impact on the beautiful islands of the Maine coast. This involves carrying away all garbage we create and kindly sharing the sites we visit, as needed, with working fishermen, other paddlers and wildlife. We ask that you help us practice the principles of Leave No Trace.
**TANDEM VS. SOLO**: We use a mix of tandem (two-person) sea kayaks and solo sea kayaks on our multi-day trips. You may request a solo kayak if you have previous experience using one. That said, we find that tandems are best for many people because they are more stable, spacious, and faster.
Cancellation Policy
If you need to cancel a multi-day trip booking…
- More than 14 days in advance: You will receive a full refund, minus a $50 cancellation fee.
- Between 14 days and 2 days in advance: You will receive a 50% refund.
- Less than 2 days 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 participants on a multi-day trip within 14 days we will reduce your total booking amount by 50% of the cost of each person that is being removed from the booking.
