Moderate use. The OOB pier is one of the great American boardwalks and a slice of southern Maine at its unassuming best. Back-door access to Goochs Beach from what is very likely Americas oldest hotel: an inn has occupied the spot since at least 1660. Thats why you can find pink-granite stones in spots where the local granite outcrops are all gray, says Jon Dykstra, a retired geologist on the board of the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust. Hardy Boat Cruises, based in New Harbor on Maine's Pemaquid Peninsula, runs a Puffin Watch cruise in the Spring with Audubon naturalists starting in early June (and without Audubon naturalists beginning in mid-May). What is your time frame? It's hard enough to find them by going ten miles out to sea. 207-363-8466. Multiple outfitters in the Kennebunks can guide short paddles along the tidal Mousam River, which wends through the Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge to meet the sea at Parsons Beach. 1. Pick your own strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and even tomatoes at Spiller Farm in Wells. 12 Wells Beach Mile Rd. Impeccable service has set this high-end classic apart since 1973, but the property has welcomed guests since it was a Civil Warera boarding house. Any suggestions? Alternatively, you may use. That's about the best I can do with so little info. Wildlife watching in Maine presents a world of diversity and endless opportunities for discovery and recreation. 4. North from Perkins Cove to Beach St., with multiple access points along the way. 207-730-1926. } Copyright VisitMaine.Net 2022Images Courtesy Greg and Heather Burke unless otherwise noted. This wildlife conservation center in Gray holds a special place in the hearts of those whove been there. .eb-col img {width: 100%;} Light use. Several Maine State Park Campgrounds make good basecamps for regional moose watching. Acadia National Park. You could make an easy and pleasant daytrip to Popham now and watch them from the beach, or wait a few weeks until Spinney's Restaurant is open and you can watch them while you eat! The tight-knit summer community combined with the pristine sheltered harbor has been creating fond memories for generations. Any help would be appreciated. I live in Maine and have July and the first half of August off. There were also hiking trails close by where we found wild blueberries. .eb-button-wide { width:100%; } We're a non-profit and community-based organization dedicated to seabird conservation and preserving Maine's coast in hopes that we can preserve the habitats of Atlantic seabirds and other wildlife. Meeting location: 8 Western Ave. inside Coastal Maine Kayak and Bike. Sandy, paid parking, concessions, lifeguards, toilets. Share your pride in Easterseals with branded products from the Easterseals store. A 4.5-mile trail loops around the northern section of this 1,576-acre preserve, more than half of it crossing over breathtaking, wide-open coastal headlands. This site uses cookies to offer you a better browsing experience. While sightings are not common, moose have been known to roam the park and reveal themselves to visitors. Is there a best time of day? 25 Ferry Beach State Park Bay View Rd. One of southern Maines consistently excellent restaurants, Mark Gaier and Clark Frasiers 12-year-old seaside eatery manages to thread the needle of upscale ($30 dinner entres that wow, like an Indian-spiced braised lamb shank) and approachable (Thursday burger nights in the shoulder seasons, when a creatively topped burger and a local pint run you $13). Follow Harbor Dr. to Lighthouse Rd. 8. In southern Maine, not all the best places to see wildlife are remote islands or national parks. I'd drive either way. Served with an orange slice, pineapple chunk, cherry, and a sprinkle of what witty servers will say is beach sand (its nutmeg). Isle au Haut, Isle Au Haut, ME, USA. 21 Timber Point Timber Point Rd. I have taken small groups of tweens/teens to Boston and we've always stopped at the seal tank outside the aquarium to watch the seals swim and play. 2 Railroad Ave. 207-363-2621. Light use. Ride a rollercoaster at Sacos Funtown Splashtown. @media only screen and (min-width: 600px){ From $299. Heavy use. 4 Long Sands Beach Long Beach Ave. Sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, toilets. Peek over marine scientists shoulders as they research lobsters, mussels, scallops, and other shellfish. Blue 398 Rte. A seal in Casco Bay, near Portland, Maine. Artists renditions of the coast can be seen in the many galleries and art museums in town. Ashley Billman, Down East reader. The Strausses share stories about their community and the fishing way of life, and they stop to haul a lobster trap. Its a short paddle to Stevens Brook, behind Footbridge Beach, and a network of tiny tidal streams in the Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge. Shorebirds, waterfowl, otters, and even harbor seals abound. PO Box 171 Ambajejus Lake 28 Ferry Beach Ferry Rd. Moderate use. Late founder Billy Tower concocted this fruity sipper, so popular that the Ogunquit institution mixes it up in 5-gallon batches. 127 in Georgetown, 500 feet east from where it crosses the Sasanoa River. more. Join us today! Required fields are marked *. Rhumb Line While all of Maines wildlife is spectacular, nothing quite compares to the whale. Re: seals 8 years ago Save What is your time frame? .eb-hero-content p { width: 80%; } Its anchored York Beach since 1868, but the Bluff feels like a clean, contemporary conference hotel albeit with huge balconies overlooking Short Sands Beach. Races start at 10:30AM - registration accepted up to 1 hour before the race. 8 Beach St., York Beach. 207-244-7463. In the warmer months, Finback, Right, and Minke whales as well as the Humpback migrate to the feeding grounds off the coast of Maine. 10. (207) 502-8040. var _ctct_m = "0706d9b9bf00aebc0dc1bb571c5a40b2"; Click here to Learn more about adventures, Click here to Learn more about kennebunk adventures, Click here to Learn more about portland adventures, Click here to Learn more about private tours, Click here to Learn more about all new england eco adventures, Click here to Learn more about our vessels, Click here to Learn more about gift cards, Click here to Learn more about rugosa lobster tours, Click here to email matt@newenglandecoadventures.com, Click here to view location Kennebunk Plus, the map displays our unique regions, cities, counties, convenient roads, and things to doso you'll have no problem picking points of interest and planning vacation routes. Golden Road Head to the shore and keep an eye out for adorable harbor seal pups or spot the majestic bald eagle as you kayak in Frenchman Bay. Explore gentle wooded trails at Kennebunkports lovely Edwin L. Smith Preserve. You can reach us at: 1063 McGaw Avenue, Suite 100 Irvine, CA 92614 714-834-1111 714-834-1128 (Fax) Contact Us. Explore the tidewater on a paddling day trip. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-57646747', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Bar Harbor and another on the Cape. .page .lead { width: 100%; padding: 0; } 207-204-8888. southernmainekayaks.com. 1 Fort Foster Beach Pocahontas Rd. Youll experience one of Maines oldest lighthouses, including a trip to the top of the tower and a visit to the restored keeper's house. For the best visibility, time your. 240 Bayview Rd., Orrs Island. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. We traveled to Maine several years ago and stayed at a private vacation rental near Bar Harbor. Portland to Bar Harbor - is the best way? .eb-image-left {float:left; margin:7px 14px 7px 0; width:45%; max-width:400px;} Southern Maine Coasts Saco and Biddeford add oceanside haunts and typical Downtown Maine attractions to visit. 12 Little Island Way, Bass Harbor. Destination dining where you might least expect it. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); VisitMaine.Net The unofficial guide to experiencing Maine. The shopping in the Old Port is fun at boutiques along cobblestone streets. From $189. .eb-p {float: right; width:65%; margin-left:2%; margin-top:-9px;} This is our most adventurous tour and has something to offer for everyone! Bowdoins environmental research station sits on 118 acres of varied terrain jutting into Harpswell Sound. Seeing Seals with Portland Paddle. Take the Mt. See Bernard Langlaiss whimsical wooden creatures in the seaside sculpture garden at the Ogunquit Museum of American Art come Wednesday mornings for kiddie story time and crafts. Light use. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-60977754', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruise off shore. Its cottages stud the nearby shore and forest. Bass Harbor Head Light Ferry out to the 19th-century Wood Island Lighthouse in Biddeford Pool, part of a guided tour offered by the Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse. Immerse yourselves in the history and lore, that include rescues, heroism, Sailor the bell ringing dog, even an 1896 murder/suicide. Sandy, paid parking, concessions, lifeguards, toilets. Instructors at Black Point Surf Shop (134 Black Point Rd., Scarborough; 207-939-6016) lead 90-minute tutorials by appointment ($90 for one person, $140 for two, with discounts if you BYO gear); Liquid Dreams Surf Shop (171 Long Beach Ave., York; 207-351-2545; 696 Main St., Ogunquit; 207-641-2545) has a whole catalog of 3-day beginners programs ($170), kids clinics and mini-camps ($50$90); private lessons ($70$105), and ladies nights ($40); Maines original surf shop, Wheels N Waves (365 Post Rd., Wells; 207-646-5774) offers multiple 2-hour tutorials daily in summer ($40$90, depending on group size and gear needs). Sandy, free (limited) parking, lifeguards, showers and toilets. 207-363-1277. The seals disperse when the baitfish run disappears, usually about the time the stripers start returning, ie early June or thereabouts. A no-frills lobster shack paragon, it offers cold beer, rich chowders, fresh seafood, and a small deck overlooking the water. A high-energy, improv-heavy flute, cello, and drum trio. Robert F. Bukaty/Associated Press No trip to Maine would be complete without visiting Acadia National Park. You can share 5 more gift articles this month.. Fresh (round!) @media screen and (min-width: 410px) { There were lots of gulls and a few bald eagles as well. Crescent Beach itself is a mile-long half-moon scattered with skipping stones and ringed with beach roses. Pebbly/sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, no facilities. New this summer: a breezy rooftop deck overlooking rocks and sea. Bass Harbor natives Kim and Eli Strauss offer passengers their insiders view of Mount Desert Islands hardest-working harbor. Give this Article . .eb-image-left {width:100%; max-width:400px;} To report seal strandings south of Maine, please call the NOAA Fisheries Stranding Hotline: (866) 755-6622. Pebbly, free (limited) parking, no facilities. 207-644-8552. Bass Harbor is almost exclusively a working harbor its all lobsterboats and fishing boats and nearly all the small businesses in town are fishermen. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-57909508', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Portland. Where is the best place to see seals in the wild. 23 Biddeford Pool Beach Rte. Atlantic Ave., Camden. 7. We did the nature (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 50 Perkins Cove Rd. Glenn Dochtermann (go ahead and call him Doc) learned to fish off the beach from his dad some 60 years ago, and hes been out surf-casting ever since for stripers, pollack, and more. Share this Article. (Vaping, if not banned, is still obnoxious.). For a little more seclusion, though, visitors can follow the footpaths to adjacent, undeveloped Kettle Cove (which also has its own parking area), a pebblier pocket beach flanked by dramatic granite shelves. Visit Katahdin Air. We have on goal: to help you fall more in love with the state of Maine! If you come right now and for about the next month or so you can see dozens of seals fishing in the mouth of the Kennebec River at Popham Village in Phippsburg for free from the beach. Admire the endangered birds from a distance, stay out of signed restricted areas, and fill any beach holes (since chicks can tumble in). Seals can sometimes be seen but they like to sun and rest on the more isolated islands. Maine Quest Adventures is a locally owned and operated Katahdin Region Outfitter. Kayak Excursions SUP tours, 1 hours, $50. All the potato donuts are tasty, but dont sleep on this summers customer-chosen flavor, honey lavender. Camden Harbor Park and Amphitheatre If so,where would a good area be? Seal Island (dont let the name fool you) is the only island you can actually land on and observe puffins from behind blinds. Very cool! Their combined trail network offers 6 miles of mostly gentle hiking through cattail marshland and quiet mixed forest, with periodic lookouts taking in the Sasanoa River and Robinhood Cove (watch for ospreys soaring overhead).