This humble one-room museum on Stoningtons main drag is centered around a working model of one of the granite quarries that once operated on the surrounding islands basically, the most elaborate educational train set youve ever encountered. Pick your own strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and even tomatoes at Spiller Farm in Wells. 207-367-2788. } The manager of South Berwicks Vaughan Woods State Park and Kitterys Fort McClary State Historic Site, Doc leads a series of free (with paid park admission) drop-in surf-casting clinics at coastal state parks. Fresh flowers in each room, an exquisite restaurant, and complimentary bikes and canoes are a few of the perks From $348. 13 Drakes Island Beach Drakes Island Rd. Island Grocery 207-236-3109. Heavy use. Check out the replica of the Maine Lobsterman (there are identical statues around Maine and in Washington, DC), originally modeled on local fisherman H. Elroy Snoody Johnson. 1 Marina Way But the most important difference is that puffins like to hang out in Maine. Maple Hill Farm Inn and Conference Center. 207-883-5100. 17. .eb-button-wide { width:100%; } Harbor seals range in color from brown to gray, with visible spotting, and blend in well with their surroundings when hauled out on a rock or ledge. Located within Acadia National Park, the lighthouse is a favorite of photographers, who typically shoot from the rocky shore below. It has consistently been our best Maine canoe trip for spotting wildlife, including moose and eagles. A mile up the road from Pine Point Beach, Fun and Sun Rentals and Tours offers kayaks, SUPs, and car shuttles for one-way, self-guided tours through the vast Scarborough Marsh, and the neighboring Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center has canoe and kayak rentals. The most dramatic finding was in Saco, where there was a report of a dead seal on the beach early Monday morning. 39 Wildflower Ln., Beals. Gray seals are bigger; they're between 7 and 8 feet long, and can. Required fields are marked *. Chef Devin Finigan cut her teeth at some of the countrys finest restaurants (including Thomas Kellers Per Se and Blue Hill at Stone Barns in the Hudson Valley) before opening Aragosta in Stonington in 2013. 8 Western Ave, Kennebunk, ME 04043, USA 29 Eastern Ave. 207-282-1642. A best-in-class spa, cool mod art collection, breathtaking ocean-view infinity pool, and crisp seaside dcor help make Cliff House among Maines swankiest splurge lodging options. 70 Rte. From $189. , Bingham, PO Box 773 Maine is a destination for birdwatchers during all four seasons. Sandy, free parking, toilets. Its one of those rites of passage youd have to be a moose to fully appreciate. Eli Strauss, owner of Bass Harbor Island Cruises. Sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, showers and toilets. Bass Harbor natives Kim and Eli Strauss offer passengers their insiders view of Mount Desert Islands hardest-working harbor. Moderate use. Built by architect John Calvin Stevens in the oh-soNew England Shingle style in 1914, the Colony is a landmark with ocean views and a straight-up beach of its own, right across the street. Christi / Flickr. Its a great place to spot wading birds and waterfowl and avoid people. No trip to Maine would be complete without visiting Acadia National Park. All the potato donuts are tasty, but dont sleep on this summers customer-chosen flavor, honey lavender. Participants technically need a saltwater fishing license and are encouraged to bring their own rod and tackle (particularly hooks, sinkers, and bait) but Doc shows up with enough rods and reels for a crowd, plus a few buckets of mackerel. Light use. 1 Fort Foster Beach Pocahontas Rd. My family and I will be visiting Acadia and (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Its slightly ramshackle look complements OOBs come-one-come-all vibe this is a beach where you can attack a hunk of fried dough while wading in a Speedo and nobody looks at you twice, and the pier is the charmingly ragtag monument it deserves. Answer 1 of 5: Is it possible to see Seals in October? Watch for wading birds. The age class of harp seal we tend to see are the juveniles, who are around 12-14 months old . Best Places To See Wildlife in Southern Maine, A Dunes Day Trip: Things to Do in Kennebunkport, Maine, 4 Different Kinds of Things to Do in Maine in the Winter . Been looking online - there is one at (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 207-646-0455. 10 Snow Canning Rd., Scarborough. } Well head over to Cape Porpoise Harbor and Bumpkin Island to enjoy the seals that call that area home. 16 Middle Beach Beach Ave. Pebbly, paid (limited) parking, no facilities. Visit historic Wood Island Lighthouse! 77. Maine has three well-defined climatic zones: central, southern interior, and northern. Aragosta Isle au Haut, Isle Au Haut, ME, USA. Planning a trip with the kids and dont want to leave spotting a moose to chance? If you do a search for puffin images you may, like a lot of folks, imagine puffins are related to penguins. You have the opportunity to witness wildlife anywhere that you travel. Share your pride in Easterseals with branded products from the Easterseals store. Taffy technicians have been stretching masses of boiled sugar at the Goldenrod, in York Beach, since 1896 today, passersby watch through the windows as mechanical pulling machines do their thing. , Millinocket. Maines southern coast offers the American summer vacation at its beach-blanket best. For example, Mehlhorn says, people tend to overlook brown pieces of sea glass but hold it up to the light and what appears brown can truly be dark red. Ride a rollercoaster at Sacos Funtown Splashtown. .eb-image-left {float:left; margin:7px 14px 7px 0; width:45%; max-width:400px;} National Marine Fisheries Service Law Enforcement division has established the following toll-free number for reporting potential violations: 1-800-853-1964. Free admission. The best things to do, great lodging, unique restaurants, and more. .eb-linked-heading {border:none; text-decoration:none; color:inherit;} 1 Bypass, Kittery. 12 Old Orchard St. 207-934-2328. Linking Perkins Cove to Ogunquit Beach, themile-and-a-quarter paved walkway traces its origins to 1925. The most important step members of the public can take to assist investigators is to immediately report any sightings of seals in distress or dead stranded seals. Tiny taffy kisses are made fresh daily and come in old-school flavors like molasses, licorice, and peppermint. The dining room at the Grey Havens Inn is open for dinner five nights a week in midsummer (white tablecloths, steak and seafood), and its worth a visit just for cocktails on the wraparound veranda overlooking the mouth of the Sheepscot River. 32 Kettle Cove Kettle Cove Rd. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. 8 Beach St., York Beach. @media only screen and (min-width: 1200px){ While a big animal, the harbor seal is only about half the size of the gray seal, the . There are actually two. From $129. Stroll to the top on the gently graded Carriage Trail or scramble up the steep Mt. 8 Ogunquit Beach Beach St. Sandy, paid parking, concessions, lifeguards, showers and toilets. 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. , Bingham. Box 633 Kitterys Route 1 is filled with outlet stores of every kind imaginable and famous Kittery Trading Post. 18 Colony Beach Ocean Ave. Pebbly/sandy, free parking, no facilities. 59 Morrill Rd Enjoy shopping andlovely diningin quaint Perkins Cove, take a coastal walk along the Marginal Way, or relax with an evening ofsummer stock Theaterat the Ogunquit Playhouse. The stand goes through 250,000 pounds of potatoes a season. Like all mammals, seal pups begin life drinking . 207-204-8888. southernmainekayaks.com. North from Perkins Cove to Beach St., with multiple access points along the way. No, thats not a penguin youre seeing. 31 Crescent Beach State Park Rte. The 3-mile beach consists of two well-protected crescents, and the slope is gentle, making Goose Rocks a favorite of families with young kids. Southern Maines best kept secret! Getting pulled behind a speedboat is more relaxing than it sounds when youre drifting 1,200 feet above the waves. Sucking down an ice cream cone while admiring Cape Neddicks Nubble Light has been a tradition since 1967, when a stand called Browns opened up at Nubble Point. Look out for the worlds largest mammals aboard one of southern Maines whale watch boats, and get ready to be splashed! Including approximately 5,000 pairs of puffins, 1,000 pairs of razorback auks and 500 pairs of common murres. A few best bets for paddling day trips: Harbor Adventures leads kayakers on a half-day lobster luncheon paddle that takes in Fort Foster and heads up shady Chauncey Creek, with a lunch stop at a lobster pound. You get all this while enjoying your own personal front-row seat! Where receptacles are available, dont fill them with huge bags or large items like broken umbrellas or chairs. Join us on Adventure Seal Watch that you wont soon forget. 14 Parsons Beach Rte. If so,where would a good area be? Its houses are layered down to the calm water of the bay. At the right time of year, you can spot as many as twenty moose in one outing. Setting sail from Kennebunkport, First Chance offers whale watches of varying lengths and intensity aboard Nick's Chance, as well as lobster tours and educational tours of Maine's marine culture aboard Kylie's Chance. Adventure type: Seal watching Duration: 2 hours Location: Kennebunk Boat: We use the same high-performance custom RIB boat for all our tours Meeting location: 8 Western Ave. inside Coastal Maine Kayak and Bike Everyone Loves Seals! In the warmer months, Finback, Right, and Minke whales as well as the Humpback migrate to the feeding grounds off the coast of Maine. If you need more adrenaline, theyll kill the engine and let you parachute into the drink. 127 in Georgetown, 500 feet east from where it crosses the Sasanoa River. It is very unusual to see whales from shore. They dont offer tours, but the folks at World Within Sea Kayaking (at the Ogunquit River Inn) rent kayaks and SUPs that paddlers can launch out the back door, into the lower Ogunquit River, at high tide. Ride a restored streetcar at the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport. M.C. View our Privacy Policy. 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. .eb-image-right {float:right; margin:7px 0 7px 14px; width:45%; max-width:400px;} Deer Isle Granite Museum Bass Harbor is almost exclusively a working harbor its all lobsterboats and fishing boats and nearly all the small businesses in town are fishermen. Scout rocky, rather than sandy, beaches, since sea glass often ends up wedged in among the rocks. 27 Main St., Stonington. Afternoons are devoted to seal and bird watching around the entrance of Blue Hill Bay and Bass Harbor Head Light. So what is a puffin? 207-730-1926. Enjoy inside or from the takeout window for a picnic. The best time to spot sea glass, Mehlhorn says, is at sunset. Portland, ME 04101 $65, plus lunch. Reid State Park Thirty-nine benches face the ocean, each with a sponsorship plaque that sold for $5,000 to fund trail maintenance which is necessary. Open 364 days a year, the institute offers tours and a marine-life touch tank. Old Village Inn. Pebbly/sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, no facilities. Perkins Cove Thats enough to start their own moose lodge. I'd drive either way. 4. 207-244-5785. 17 Goochs Beach Beach Ave. Sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, toilets. From Portlandswaterfront, there is easy access to Casco Bay ferries, water taxis, and boat tours to nearby islands including Peaks Island, Diamond Island, and Long Island. 207-646-5575. 47 Shore Rd., Bass Harbor. The path connects(awkwardly, via the beach and social trails the Cliff Walk ranger can steer you) to the -mile Fishermans Walk from the harbor to the Wiggly Bridge, the worlds smallest suspension bridge.. One hard-to-miss difference is that puffins can fly and penguins cant. Expect to carry out your TRASH. @media only screen and (min-width: 600px){ 15. 591 Shore Rd., Ogunquit. If you love whales, this is your chance to see these incredibly intelligent mammals up close! On Sundays, hit up the Kittery Community Market for picnic supplies, live music, and a kids corner with art and science projects. 30 Higgins Beach Ocean Ave. Sandy, paid parking, showers and toilets. Mammals are the class of animals that have fur or hair and produce milk for their young. You dont see a mast. 9. Built in 1883, the downtown inn, a half-mile from Ogunquit Beach, All the way out on Bailey Island, where the road abruptly cuts off at a cement barrier and the land literally ends, sweeping views of Casco Bay draw a steady stream of travelers. A good pair of binoculars is a great way to enjoy them while still giving them enough distance so as not to disturb them. Open Memorial Day-Labor Day, Old Orchard Beach, 934-2001. Infections are more likely. Brian Beal, Jonesport native and director of research at the Downeast Institute for Applied Marine Research & Education. From Kittery to Old Orchard Beach, the Southern Maine Coast is the perfect vacation getaway. Thats what geologists call a beach made primarily of pebbles and/or cobbles (the former measure 4 to 6.4 centimeters across, the latter 6.4 to 25.6 anything bigger is a boulder). Destination dining where you might least expect it. 25 Ferry Beach State Park Bay View Rd. Males weigh from 120 to over 300 pounds and run about five to six feet in length; females are slightly smaller. The 3-mile beach consists of two well-protected crescents, and the slope is gentle, making Goose Rocks a favorite of families with young kids. That means the southern coast has seen a gentle rise in apparent sea level (picture a slightly tilted plane with the sea in a higher position than the shore), so wave action preferentially piles up sand-size grains of sediment on the land (those same grains have a tougher time accumulating if the planes tilt is reversed). If you love seals, beautiful scenery, or just want to be on the ocean, this is the tour for you! Its made-to-order (takes about 6 minutes when the staff breaks out the machine) and you can enjoy a cone in an Adirondack chair on the sunny deck. 100 % of Cadillac Mountain Passes Sold 2 Days in Advance? Grab a towel and come with us. Visit themainebeaches.com for more info and its never a bad idea to call the local town office with questions. It is illegal under the Marine Mammal Protection Act to handle these animals. Hollis Burgess, writing in The Rudder magazine, 1917. Spring is harbor seal pupping season in northern New England. P.O. On the shoreline, you see a village that probably looks very similar to what it was in the 1930s and 1940s. Yes, Virginia, there is surfing in Maine. 207-967-4243. gokennebunks.com Crescent Beach State Park Magic hour at Crescent Beach. Give this Article . Driving from NJ where to stop for a night, Boston to Acadia via the coast and White Mountains. Theyre really not. But dont worry about that last part. Bass Harbor Head Light In all, Maine has 58 species of wild mammals that currently live within its borders. Lets start with the Project Puffin Visitor Center in Rockland. 1447 Five Islands Rd., Georgetown. Though distinctly different in design, the two parks complement each other so well, they feel like one. Moderate use. 398 Rte. Hours and hours of walking here, and probably hundreds of photos. Sandy/pebbly, paid parking, no facilities. Camden Hills State Park, 280 Belfast Rd., Camden. Light use. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2019-2022 Dunes on the Waterfront. Would it be worthwhile to do a kayak tour to see seals? Former state rep Josiah Chase almost turned his oceanfront parcel into a cottage subdivision, but a civic-minded pal, architect F. Raymond Brewster, convinced him to donate it to the town instead. Barnacle Billys Since many moose tip the scales at 1,000 pounds or more, with antlers spanning six feet, its no wonder making visual contact with a Maine moose is a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife viewing experience. We, and friends, have also often seen them on some of the tours offered by the Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company, especially some of their non-whale tours that stay closer to shore (I'd check their website). . } Two-hour tours leave from Vines Landing, Biddeford Pool aboard the Light Runner. 6. If you have a boat you can see seals basking on the rocks around Cundy's Harbor in Harpswell at mid to low tide most days all summer. 207-646-7088. does not look like an American town at all in place or in architecture. Thank you! Late founder Billy Tower concocted this fruity sipper, so popular that the Ogunquit institution mixes it up in 5-gallon batches. Experience the 9 Buildings of the Museums of Old York Maine, Locals Guide to the Best Kennebunkport Boat Tours. @media screen and (min-width: 480px) { I'd drive either way. York Harbors -mile shoreline path an out-and-back walk from York Harbor Beach doesnt have its neighbors notoriety, in part because its more rugged (a mix of paved segments with railings and unimproved trail) and in part because decades of landowner squabbles have kept access in flux. (Vaping, if not banned, is still obnoxious.). Do you consider yourself a history buff? Our tribute to the eight port towns and peaceful coves we never tire of gazing at. 80 Beach Ave., Kennebunk. Any suggestions? But over the years, we've had good luck at the Indian Point Blagdon Preserve, especially at low tide. 240 Bayview Rd., Orrs Island. .eb-col a { text-decoration: none; } Featured Attractions 4 Long Sands Beach Long Beach Ave. Sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, toilets. Thurstons Lobster Pound You wont find fresher lobster anywhere, so keep it simple and go for the traditional lobster dinner with corn on the cob, house-made slaw, and blueberry cake. 23 Biddeford Pool Beach Rte. Seeing Seals with Portland Paddle. And of course, where there are crowds, there are gift shops. Kittery Inn and Suites. 2 Western Ave. 207-967-3321. They provided 2 kayaks and we were right on the water where we could kayak out to a mussel bar and sea seals. Self-consciously vintage, this rebooted 1950s motor-court motel has guest rooms, housekeeping cottages, and a boutique ambiance, with a saltwater pool, luxe linens, and flat-screens. 129, 2 miles north of the South Bristol drawbridge. When you visit the Museums of Old, Read More Experience the 9 Buildings of the Museums of Old York MaineContinue, The Maine Waterfront Dining Experience Food and water. Address: State biologists estimate there are roughly 75,000 moose roaming Maines rugged landscapethe largest concentration in the country next to Alaska. Artists renditions of the coast can be seen in the many galleries and art museums in town. Kayak Excursions SUP tours, 1 hours, $50. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. PARKING often requires a trip to the town office for a permit. 207-244-7600. Explore Boon Island Lighthouse and Nubble Lighthouse on this tour that cruises up the coastline. 1. Sandy, free (limited) parking, no facilities. Moderate use. Also, because this island is so notable for its bird populations, you can meet and swap stories with fellow bird watchers from across the country. Stonington . With a box of chocolatepeanut butter in hand, stroll out on the rocks, have a seat, and indulge in the fudge and the view. An outpost of Portland Paddle offers paddleboard and kayak rentals and tours, plus theres a snack bar, picnic areas with grills, and a playground for the kiddos. Seals Seals are the most commonly-seen marine mammals along the shores of Maine. Address: .eb-col h4 { line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0 0 20px 0; color: inherit; font-weight: bold; } 207-646-4909. Heavy use. Unless youre in Maine and you know exactly when and where to look. A large number of seal pups appear each year on New England beaches, apparently stranded, but these pups are often only temporarily abandoned by their mothers, who are feeding nearby. The southern and coastal regions are influenced by air masses from the south and west. .eb-button-wide { width:400px; } Where is the best place to see seals in the wild. As well, we work closely with our colleagues of the Marine Mammals of Maine who attend to response and rescue in southern Maine and have a new facility in Harpswell allowing for temporary holding before transporting animals to a rehab facility. Pete Erskine, co-owner of Mexicali Blues, one-time summer person turned year-round resident of South Bristols Rutherford Island. Down south, though, glacial rebound has been more subdued these last couple thousand years. Maine is one of the few states in the U.S. with a sizable moose population. Plummer Point Rd., off Rte. On some days, you may be lucky enough to see the Humpback breeching right next to your boat, butitisnt the only whale youll spot on your tour. Come to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 13. 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). Sandy, free (limited) parking, lifeguards, showers and toilets. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 20 Goose Rocks Beach Kings Hwy. 7 Little Beach Marginal Way, off Israel Head Rd. Linda Mehlhorn, of South Portland, coined the term seaglunking that is sea glass + spelunking, the act of exploring beaches and waterways in search of sea glass. 207-244-7463. The ship skeleton made its most recent and most publicized appearance, following one of the winter storms the media dubbed a bomb cyclone.. Its time to lay anchor. Grab a towel and come with us. Downeast Institute for Applied Marine Research and Education Peek over marine scientists' shoulders as they research lobsters, mussels, scallops, and other shellfish. Shes been at it 50 years, so we asked her for some tips. Races start at 10:30AM - registration accepted up to 1 hour before the race. Moderate use. Sandy, paid parking, concessions, lifeguards, showers and toilets. Moderate use. 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). The health risk posed by avian flu to the general public is low; however, precautions are recommended. 14. .eb-col { width: 31%; float: left; margin: 7px 2% 0 0;} Youll see Goat Island Light in Cape Porpoise and then travel to Goose Rocks for more seals and back down the coast to Wells. Is there a best time of day? Storms periodically revealed the wreck for brief periods, about every 10 years. John Steinbeck, writing in Travels With Charley, 1962. , Greenville, Maine's Lakes and Mountains Birding Trail, Plan an East Coast Whale Watching Trip: Public & Private Viewing Coastal Cruises From May to October, Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Races, Finding Acadias Early Birds: A Special Maine Birding Excursion, 2023 Spring Birds of Acadia, with Puffin Cruise. The cliffs rise nearly 50 feet in spots, and the waves can put on a show. .page .lead { padding: 0 60px 0 60px; } You can walk to the end of State Pier and usually see them or take a Casco Bay Lines ferry, or one of the other tours available in Portland, to see them out in the bay. A no-frills lobster shack paragon, it offers cold beer, rich chowders, fresh seafood, and a small deck overlooking the water. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. We traveled to Maine several years ago and stayed at a private vacation rental near Bar Harbor. 207-303-0137. Battie Road. FromKitterytoOld Orchard Beach, the Southern Maine Coast is the perfect vacation getaway. The museums permanent collection (selections of which fill out an exhibit this fall) prominently features artists like Robert Laurent, Isabella Howland, and others associated with Ogunquits early20th-century art-colony heyday. .page .lead { padding: 0 20px 0 20px; } By Tuesday, Marine Mammals of Maine had responded to about three dozen dead seals on beaches from Cape Elizabeth south to York. PO Box 171 Ambajejus Lake Rmew / Flickr. Save. , Livermore. $10 admission, $9 students and seniors. Inland cottage resorts feature either traditional cottages or gatherings of rustic cabins. Join us today! The seals hauled up on the Cape are gray and harbor seals.