A seaside destination resort within walking distance of Crescent Beach and Kettle Cove, with stylish rooms, legendary service, a trendsetting seafood restaurant, and a garden pool, bocce court, and fire pit that attract families. Our Programs. Get a deck seat and dont skip the fruity, blood-red rum punch, the tastiest cocktail youre likely to sip through a straw this summer. This gateway town provides your first taste of Maine with fresh lobsters caught right off the coast. Pete Erskine, co-owner of Mexicali Blues, one-time summer person turned year-round resident of South Bristols Rutherford Island. Maine is the only place in the United States where you can see puffins in the wild. 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. Baxter State Park and Lazy Tom Bog are great places to begin your search. Its cottages stud the nearby shore and forest. There were lots of gulls and a few bald eagles as well. There were also hiking trails close by where we found wild blueberries. @media only screen and (min-width: 600px){ You name, it you can enjoy it in Wells. Maines southern coast offers the American summer vacation at its beach-blanket best. Fresh (round!) Where receptacles are available, dont fill them with huge bags or large items like broken umbrellas or chairs. Ride a rollercoaster at Sacos Funtown Splashtown. Bowdoins environmental research station sits on 118 acres of varied terrain jutting into Harpswell Sound. The dinner menu changes from week to week, but the generous and piquant fish tacos are always in season, as are the Dark N Stormies the official cocktail of the many regulars holding down barstools. }, Moose | Whales | Puffins | Birds | Wildlife Parks & Refuges. Ive been lucky enough to experience the magic of the cove since childhood. 12. . Take a Hardy Boat Cruise, based in New Harbor, around the island, and watch these birds swim and romp in their natural habitat. First, you need to understand glacial rebound. Josephine Newman Audubon Sanctuary and the Berry Woods Preserve 5 Short Sands Beach Ocean Ave. Sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, showers and toilets. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-60977754', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruise off shore. Yes, Virginia, there is surfing in Maine. Afternoons are devoted to seal and bird watching around the entrance of Blue Hill Bay and Bass Harbor Head Light. Races start at 10:30AM - registration accepted up to 1 hour before the race. Like all mammals, seal pups begin life drinking . .eb-image-right {float:right; margin:7px 0 7px 14px; width:45%; max-width:400px;} There are actually two. Down south, though, glacial rebound has been more subdued these last couple thousand years. If you want to experience nature from the comfort of your own front porch, consider a cottage at Dunes on the Waterfront, where beachfront views will give you a front row ticket to southern Maine birds and wildlife. 207-646-0455. Reid State Park One hard-to-miss difference is that puffins can fly and penguins cant. 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. Brian Beal, Jonesport native and director of research at the Downeast Institute for Applied Marine Research & Education. 3 York Harbor Beach Rte. Light use. The formal trail dates to Yorks days as a posh summer colony and crosses right through the yards of some of the towns most historic homes (be respectful, obvs). 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. Alternatively, you may use. . The one and a half hour tour departs New Harbor for Eastern Egg . 207-646-5575. But the real draw, as far as were concerned, is the creamy and house-made frozen custard. For better or for worse, the states beach-speckled southernmost 50 or so coastal miles are Maine for legions of summertime visitors. Dont show up without calling or going online to check out local parking regulations first. 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. 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. Having had their fill while filling camera disks and memory banks the whales head south in October to warmer waters. 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. 591 Shore Rd., Ogunquit. Hollis Burgess, writing in The Rudder magazine, 1917. Maines Holy Donut micro-chain has a Scarborough outpost a few miles from the towns best beaches. To aid her search in sand, Mehlhorn uses a sifter attached to a long handle. Other puffin-preferred places on the Maine coast include eastern Egg Rock in the MidCoast & Islands region, and Seal Island and Matinicus Rock at the mouth of Penobscot Bay. 18 Colony Beach Ocean Ave. Pebbly/sandy, free parking, no facilities. Kennebunk Her farm-to-table approach means the menu is always in flux, but lobster figures prominently (the states most productive lobstering fleet is out her back door) and often unexpectedly par for the course is a recent dish of applewood-smoked lobster beignets, served over local greens. 207-363-8466. A noreaster removed enough sand from the beach to uncover the wreck for the first time in modern memory. 214 Nubble Rd. Pay a visit to the Maine Wildlife Park where youre guaranteed to spot a moose, among many other kinds of fascinating creatures, at this special wildlife sanctuary. Acadia National Park. 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. Make faces at the monkeys (not the white tiger) at Yorks Wild Kingdom. Blue 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. Birds are the main source of the flu, and seals in the region have caught the flu from passing birds before. Location Puffins arent the only birds that Maine can boast. Rangeley Lake State Park, Mount Blue State Park, Lily Bay State Park, and Peaks-Kenny State Park are all campground parks located in or near parts of Maine with ample moose-watching opportunities. 15. Its not every day you see a moose. does not look like an American town at all in place or in architecture. . Where is the best place to see seals in the wild. Seafood Ketch It was amazing! This site uses cookies to offer you a better browsing experience. Dont bring Fido without checking. PO Box 171 Ambajejus Lake 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.. During the summer season in the Southern Coast of Maine, you can overhear many visitors speaking English, French, various European languages, and even Jamaican. (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 From $299. @media only screen and (min-width: 1024px){ Historically, harbor seals pupped in Massachusetts, and there are increasing sightings of very small pups here in May and June. 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. 25 Ferry Beach State Park Bay View Rd. Fresh flowers in each room, an exquisite restaurant, and complimentary bikes and canoes are a few of the perks From $348. Learn more. Get ready for some adventure because this tour has it all. The age class of harp seal we tend to see are the juveniles, who are around 12-14 months old . Late founder Billy Tower concocted this fruity sipper, so popular that the Ogunquit institution mixes it up in 5-gallon batches. Public ALCOHOL consumption is illegal statewide, including on beaches. THERES A SHIPWRECK BURIED BENEATH YORKS SHORT SANDS BEACH. The Colony Hotel. Pebbly/sandy, paid parking, toilets. When the tides out, tidepoolers mingle with surfers and plein-air painters. Address: Its the number one landmark on Mount Desert Islands Quiet Side, so you cant skip this one! Walk the coastal trail, explore the childrens garden, and admire Portland Head Light at Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth. Address: If youre hoping to encounter wildlife, the Allagash is where you want to be. The inland portion of the loop is a cool mix of bogs, gnarled, stunted jack pines, and other scrappy trees that tolerate the harsh conditions created by the mingling waters of the Gulf of Maine and the Bay of Fundy. View our Privacy Policy. Miles of surf and white sand, funky beach towns with a foot in yesteryear, pockets of unspoiled splendor (if you know where to look), and more oddball family attractions than you can shake a souvenir lobster-claw at. Really, is there a bigger thrill than seeing one of earths largest creatures majestically break the ocean surface, pause for a moment for wows and camera clicks, then return to the mysteries of the deep? 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. Browse our Frequently Asked Questions for any additional information you may need. Thirty-nine benches face the ocean, each with a sponsorship plaque that sold for $5,000 to fund trail maintenance which is necessary. P.O. Sandy, paid parking, concessions, showers and toilets. Report inappropriate content 1-8 of 8 replies Sorted by 1 h0trudderedbum Phippsburg, Maine Level Contributor 351 posts 1. The most dramatic finding was in Saco, where there was a report of a dead seal on the beach early Monday morning. In Maine, please call the Maine Marine Animal Reporting Hotline at (800) 532-9551. Where should we go to see whales, seals, puffins without a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Coast Guardcertified captains from Old Orchard Beach Parasailing & Jet Ski (5 Bay Ave., Saco; 855-359-2759) head a ways off the OOB shorefront with groups of up to six, and the parasail itself accommodates up to three for what is basically a tranquil, 15-minute aerial cruise with lighthouse and Ferris wheel views ($90 per person, extra if you want pics or to wear a GoPro camera). 32 Kettle Cove Kettle Cove Rd. Since the last retreat of the ice sheet, Dykstra says, the coast of Maine has been slowly rising . Its a short paddle to Stevens Brook, behind Footbridge Beach, and a network of tiny tidal streams in the Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge. Maple Hill Farm Inn and Conference Center. Heavy use. 12 West Side Rd., South Bristol. 207-967-6065. #5 in Best Maine Beaches. .eb-col img {width: 100%;} 1447 Five Islands Rd., Georgetown. rolls from Reillys Bakery in Biddeford, Kates Homemade Butter from Arundel, and fresh, hand-picked lobster meat: the unconventional rolls at this classic Kennebunk seafood stand, right on the Lanigan Bridge over the Kennbunk River, have racked up awards and accolades (expect a line). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); VisitMaine.Net The unofficial guide to experiencing Maine. You'll visi You and the whole family are invited to exscape and relax in Maine's Aroostook County. The trip departs daily at 5:30pm, and trips end in late August. Named for the architectural gem of a cribstone bridge that connects Orrs and Bailey islands a one-of-a-kind cobwork of granite slabs Morses restaurant is a landmark in its own right. 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. 119 Cedar St. Coastal Maine Kayak & Bike, kayak or SUP tours, 3 hours, $85. The deskbound can get a moment of zen thanks to live webcams operated by the nonprofit Marginal Way Preservation Fund. Fall is when the impressive antlers of the bull moose are fully formed. Spring is harbor seal pupping season in northern New England. 77. 9. } The southern coasts best breaks are at Scarboroughs Higgins Beach, Yorks Long Sands Beach, and Wells Beach, and each has surf shops that offer rentals and lessons for newbies. Several Maine State Park Campgrounds make good basecamps for regional moose watching. Rhumb Line .eb-p {width:100%; margin-top:0;} However, these actions usually do more harm than good. 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. In the early part, puffins are all about taking care of business, flying sorties from the island to the water and back to feed their young. Sandy, free (limited) parking, lifeguards, showers and toilets. But the most important difference is that puffins like to hang out in Maine. Open Memorial Day-Labor Day, Old Orchard Beach, 934-2001. 207-363-1277. Edna St. Vincent Millay, Camden poet, Renascence, 1912. Plus, theres always some Maine-y blueberry variation blueberry coffee cake, blueberry with lemon glaze, blueberry maple bacon. 51 Main St., Stonington. Boat traffic is minimal, and sightings of bald eagles, ospreys, and other raptors are common. Schoodic Institutes Seth Benz will lead this special bird tour designed to enhance your enjoyment o Register today for Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park's first Bird Tour of 2023! Seals like to "haul out" to rest, sun themselves on rocky ledges or rocky shorelines on islands. While sightings are not common, moose have been known to roam the park and reveal themselves to visitors. Thanks so much. Youll need a wet suit (because brrrr), and the steep swells can be elusive, but Maines surfing community is passionate and welcoming. Seals Seals are the most commonly-seen marine mammals along the shores of Maine. White Barn Inn. 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. .page .lead { padding: 0 20px 0 20px; } Moderate use. The VisitMaine.Net team is the small team of authors and editors that research and write our in-depth guides throughout the site and update past articles to make sure it's still super valuable to you. National Marine Fisheries Service Law Enforcement division has established the following toll-free number for reporting potential violations: 1-800-853-1964. 22 Fortunes Rocks Beach Fortunes Rocks Rd. See if you can spot the differences between these whale species. Wildlife watching in Maine presents a world of diversity and endless opportunities for discovery and recreation. Southern Maine Coasts Saco and Biddeford add oceanside haunts and typical Downtown Maine attractions to visit. 207-644-8552. 207-646-4909. Then, you can catch a puffin tour boat from Mt. 10 Snow Canning Rd., Scarborough. Keep an eye out for fieldstone walls still running throughout the area reminders of the lands agricultural past and enjoy a quiet stretch of coastline that, more often than not, youll have all to yourself. Tickets a la carte, $25$40. A huge population of migrating birds makes Maine one of the best places to see wildlife if youre a bird enthusiast. The National Marine Fisheries Service recommend that any stranded animal be left alone. 42 Bayview Dr., Beals. Maines southern coast offers the American summer vacation at its beach-blanket best. 10. Spring is harbor seal pupping season in northern New England. Oh, and we GUARANTEE that you see seals or you get YOUR MONEY BACK! The best time to spot sea glass, Mehlhorn says, is at sunset. Built by a Connecticut bridge company in 1898, its a remnant of the golden age of Atlantic beach towns, when seaside boardwalks and pleasure piers sprang up from Atlantic City to Daytona Beach. 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). More than once, a bench has been washed out to sea by storms that can wreak havoc on the path. What is your time frame? $35$40 for 2-hour rentals. Head north, and the crowds thin out at Footbridge and North beaches with their own parking and access, theyre technically extensions of Ogunquit Beach, and a beachcomber can spend a lovely afternoon wandering there and back. Many of the small islands off the coast of Maine are filled top to bottom with these charming little birds. Bass Harbor Head Light Maines Birding Trail highlights the best spots to watch feathered friends of all types. From moose, white-tailed deer, black bears, bald eagles and mountain lions to porcupines, coyotes, hawks, owls, turtles and many others, you can see them all up-close and safe. I appreciate your time. It is against the law to handle a marine mammal without proper authorization, and their sharp (dog-like) teeth can be very dangerous. For the best visibility, time your. June and July are the best months to see puffins, but the general season is May through August. The lobsterboats bobbing off the wharf are your first indication that youre in for some of the freshest crustaceans served in Maine its never tanked, and you can pick your own bug. Old Village Inn. Camdens one literary town. And of course, where there are crowds, there are gift shops. My family and I will be visiting Acadia and (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Seals can sometimes be seen but they like to sun and rest on the more isolated islands. $4 Maine residents, $6 non-residents. Battie Trail (each isa half-mile). Aragosta ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-113317266', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruise with Acadian Boat Tours out of Atlantic Oceanside in Bar Harbor and it goes right past Egg Head Light and there were SO many seals hanging out by the light house. Downeast Institute for Applied Marine Research and Education Union Bluff Hotel. After watching and learning about the lighthouse, seabirds, and seals youll have a little fun with the boat in front of Kennebunk Beach. 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. While wildlife watching is something visitors can enjoy throughout the state, here are two of Maines most beloved wildlife and human life - destinations. SMOKING (anything) is prohibited at state parks and by most town-run beaches. 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). From the majestic moose to the huge humpback, Maine has long been known for its vast and unique wildlife. Portland to Bar Harbor - is the best way? 250 Main St., Ogunquit. Ride a restored streetcar at the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport. .eb-thumbnail {width:25%;} 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. , 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. more. Plummer Point Preserve It books up fast. 16. Infections are more likely. Take a book and a blanket and let the ocean breezes sweep your cares away. To report seal strandings south of Maine, please call the NOAA Fisheries Stranding Hotline: (866) 755-6622. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-113315820', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');New England Aquarium in Boston: https://www.neaq.org/animal/northern-fur-seal/, https://www.neaq.org/animal/atlantic-harbor-seal-2/. Station Rd., Beals. The ship skeleton made its most recent and most publicized appearance, following one of the winter storms the media dubbed a bomb cyclone.. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-113315485', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Boston in July. Easterseals Southern California. 207-883-5100. Seals are swimming around the harbor. Come to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Cliff House. Two miles of moderately challenging trails weave through this 71-acre property on a peninsula between Seal Cove and Long Cove on the Damariscotta River. not unlike when you push your hand into a mattress and then release the pressure. Along most of Maines coast, this rebound has exceeded or kept pace with naturally (and gradually) rising sea levels. As intimate and adventurous as a small music festival gets highly recommended. Its also easier to go seaglunking at low tide, and searching after a summer storm can pay dividends, as more glass tends to wash up then. .page .lead {padding: 0 110px 0 110px;} At Acadia you will occasionally see harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and gray seals (Halichoerus grypus) just offshore and in the area harbors. 207-371-2990. A third-generation, family-owned business, Huot Seafood Restaurant in Sacos beachside village of Camp Ellis still uses Doris Huots batter @media screen and (min-width: 900px) { Southern Maines best kept secret! Box 633 It is very unusual to see whales from shore. 29 Scarborough Beach State Park Black Point Rd. Maine artists loom large: through the end of August, youll find the abstract landscapes of John Marin and the stylized portraits of Will Barnet. 111 Perkins Cove Rd., Ogunquit. 59 Morrill Rd 207-729-5181. Maine Map. .eb-col a { text-decoration: none; } This tour has it all Walkers Point, Seals, Cape Porpoise, Goat Island Lighthouse, and if time permits, Goose Rocks Beach. Bass Harbor natives Kim and Eli Strauss offer passengers their insiders view of Mount Desert Islands hardest-working harbor.