A lot of folks probably first imagine “canoe” when they think about paddling in Maine—and, hey, for good reason, giving that paddlecraft’s deep and venerable Indigenous history here and the absolute surfeit of freshwater waterbodies and watercourses in this big, glacially sculpted state. But there’s a whole other dimension to Maine paddling that comes courtesy of Vacationland’s spectacular, and spectacularly convoluted, coastline, which accounts for some 3,500 miles of tidal shorefront along the North Atlantic. There are few better ways—and many would argue there’s no better way—to explore this glorious, lighthouse-studded tidewater on the doorstep of the Gulf of Maine than by sea kayaking.
The kayak—an invention of Indigenous Arctic and Subarctic peoples, including the Inuit and the UnangaxÌ‚/Aleuts—ranks, bar none, among the most beautifully honed and efficient boats that humanity’s ever schemed up. Indeed, “boat” doesn’t really capture the full essence of the kayak, which—at least in the traditional sit-in design that remains the top choice for oceangoing—is more like an extension of one’s own body: an outer shell that feels almost as if you’re wearing something, rather than sitting in something.
Far though they are from the icy Arctic bays and storm-roiled Aleutian seas where the original kayakers mastered the craft (literally), Maine’s coastal waters make one of North America’s great sea-kayaking destinations. And that’s true whether you’re a veteran paddler or a stone-cold newbie.
What is Sea Kayaking?
If you’re more in that “stone-cold newbie” camp than not, perhaps some 101-level basics are called for. Sea kayaking refers to open-water kayaking taking place not only in the ocean but also in inshore bays and lagoons as well as big lakes (such as the Great Lakes).
The classic modern sea kayak is also known as the touring kayak. This is a narrow, high-bowed, sit-in kayak generally with a modified round or V-shaped hull and a rudder or skeg, designed for efficient tracking (sticking to a course), fast speed, and seaworthiness in big, open water.
Especially in more sheltered coastal waters, recreational and day-touring kayaks—shorter and less specialized than your typical touring kayak—can also be good choices for sea kayaking.
All things considered, sit-in touring (and recreational) kayaks are best for the Maine seacoast, given the chilly year-round water temperatures and the potential for strong rips, swells, and waves. Sitting in a cockpit secured with a spray skirt better protects you from the elements. (There are certainly many inshore Vacationland waters that, in summer, are very fine places indeed to tool around on a sit-on-top kayak, but that’s leaning a little outside the bounds of what many would consider “sea kayaking.”)
Associated equipment ranges from paddles (and paddle leashes) to dry suits and wetsuits, splash jackets and anoraks, and—but of course—personal flotation devices (PFDs), which all paddlers should wear. To that point: Maine law requires that kayakers have U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFDs with them and that they be easy to reach, but, again, you really ought to be actually suited up in yours at all times while out on the water.
If you’re going kayaking via an outfitter, they’ll generally supply most of the essential equipment, but call them or check their website so you know what you’re responsible for bringing.
(For more on the actual nuts-and-bolts of kayaking, check out this Travel Maine overview of the sport.)
Types of Maine Sea Kayaking Trips
You’ve got the complete spectrum of sea kayaking at your disposal in the Pine Tree State. If you’re looking for a short jaunt of a couple of hours, well, that’s very doable in many areas. Perhaps, on the other side of the scale, you’re keen to spend days at a time paddling dreamy archipelagos and rock-walled seacoast—in which case Maine’s one of the best places in the U.S. for extended kayak-camping. Inshore waters shielded from the brunt of the Gulf of Maine’s pelagic currents and weather make for placid touring, while those seeking communion with the North Atlantic in the raw can test their mettle on big-water crossings and outer-isle circuits. You can kayak in bustling harbors within easy reach of town services or go the self-sufficient route on some of the wildest coastlines the Eastern Seaboard has to offer.
It’s also worth noting that Maine can be a stone-cold awesome place to go kayak-fishing—stripers, anyone?—though the ins-and-outs of that subcategory are beyond the purview of this here piece.
If you’re new to Maine’s coastal brine, even if you’re an experienced sea kayaker with trips elsewhere under your belt, it’s a solid idea to first explore it via a guided kayaking tour. You’ll find a quality assortment of guides and outfitters who lead paddling adventures of both the daytrip and extended varieties all along the Maine seaboard.
Where to Go Sea Kayaking in Maine
There are premium-grade sea-kayaking routes tracing the entire length of the Maine coastline, and many (though not all) sections offer the sort of variety of experiences we spotlighted above. The Pine Tree State’s coast ranges from easily accessible and well-populated to rugged and remote, from generally calm and sheltered to roiled and wave-hammered, so where you go depends on what sort of paddle you’re looking for, your experience level, and current weather and sea conditions.
Running basically the entirety of Maine’s seaboard, the 375-mile Maine Island Trail is just about tailor-made for sea kayakers, linking hundreds of islands, islets, skerries, ledges, and bars that are publicly accessible. Many offer free campsites, and there are many options for day paddles, overnighters, and multi-night expeditions along its course.
The following is by no means an exhaustive overview of sea-kayaking destinations along the Maine coast but touches on some of the go-to places for a paddle along and around the Maine Island Trail.
Casco Bay
Scrawled by numerous bedrock peninsulas and islands and hosting Maine’s biggest city (Portland), Casco Bay presents the sea kayaker with a unique mix of urban bustle and serene hideaways. State-owned Little Chebeague and Jewell Islands (the latter with notable World War I and World War II coastal-defense remnants) give paddlers day-tripping and camping opportunities along the Maine Island Trail within striking distance of Portland. The buffered waters along Harpswell Neck and flanking islands are ripe for exploration. Paddle past the Civil War-vintage Fort Gorges on Hog Island Ledge. Near Freeport, summer kayaking along the shores of Wolfes Neck Woods State Park may yield sightings of the much-loved ospreys that nest on protected Googins Island.
Penobscot Bay
Maine’s largest bay serves up a wonderful variety of sea-kayaking experiences, from laidback afternoon sightseeing on inshore waters to challenging multi-day touring. Maine Island Trail sojourners traversing the entire waterway have open-water crossings of West Penobscot Bay and East Penobscot Bay to tackle exposed ocean currents and ship traffic. But there are many easier adventures to be had, from day visits to Holbrook Island Sanctuary along Cape Rosier’s shores and Fort Point State Park (host to the ruins of Fort Pownall and the Fort Point Light Station) on Cape Jellion at the mouth of the Penobscot River to campouts in enchanting Warren Island State Park, accessible only by personal watercraft. And ferry access means you can weave your way among the harbors, coves, and cuts of North Haven and Vinalhaven islands—situated at the seaward gates of Penobscot Bay and famous for their summer colonies and lobster-boat fleets—even if you don’t feel up for a big-water crossing paddle.
Merchant Row (Stonington) Archipelago
Also known as the Stonington Archipelago, this is an impressively dense cluster of many dozens of islands and rocks between Stonington on Deer Isle to the north and Isle Au Haut to the south. Merchant Row is one of the standout sea-kayaking paradises in Maine, with no shortage of campable (and picnickable) isles. The scenery ranges from bold granite ledges and sandy pocket beaches to spruce forest. Some of the primo isles to explore range from the good-sized McGlathery and Saddleback islands (the latter featuring a Maine Coast Heritage Trust preserve) to smaller gems such as Gooseberry and Little Camp.
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park’s chockablock with sea-kayaking opportunities, including multiple choices for guided outings. As it is for terrestrial visitation, the Mount Desert Island unit of the park is the center of action when it comes to coastal paddling, accessed via numerous put-ins such as Bar Harbor, Northeast Harbor, Southwest Harbor, Bass Harbor, and Seal Cove. Good waypoints and touring options here include Somes Sound, the Porcupine Islands, Bass Harbor Head Light, and, out in the Cranberry Isles, Baker Island, home of the Baker Island Light as well as the huge wave-riven granite slabs called the “Dance Floor.” Meanwhile, kayaking the park’s Schoodic District at the tip of the Schoodic Peninsula yields views of the looming domes of Mount Desert Island, and the more far-flung Isle au Haut acreage can be woven into a Merchant Row touring odyssey.
Great Wass Archipelago
Great Wass Island is the biggest of a slew of islands south of Jonesport and the tide-churned Moosabec Reach on the Downeast coast. The Nature Conservancy manages the wonderful, 1,576-acre Great Wass. Preserve on that namesake island, one of the most seaward-set outposts of land on this stretch of coastline and strongly dominated by an oceanic climate, which manifests in some unique local ecosystems. Among other notable ecological characteristics, Great Wass is known for one of the most extensive forests (aka scrubby, contorted woods) of coastal jack pines in Maine. Jonesport serves as a natural launching point for explorations of Great Wass Island and others in the archipelago, including the state-owned Stevens Island and Mistake Island, distinguished by the 1851-built Moose Peak Light.
The Bold Coast
Strong and experienced kayakers have a stunning seaboard to explore, hugging the heralded Bold Coast, a roughly 20-mile stretch of cliffy headlands and remote coves between Cutler and Lubec (right on the New Brunswick line). This is a challenging paddle, given the paucity of easy landings, the frequency of fog, and the strong tidal runs, but the scenic and atmospheric rewards are many. Notable features include the oceanfront of the Cutler Coast Public Reserved Lands, a top-tier hiking and backpacking destination, as well as Moose Cove, Bailey’s Mistake, and Quoddy Head State Park, where the West Quoddy Head Light demarks the easternmost spot in the U.S.
Southern Maine Beaches
Strikingly different from the “rockbound coast” that defines much of the seaboard north of Cape Elizabeth is the softer, sandier Southern Maine coastline. Charming ports such as Kennebunkport, Wells, Ogunquit, and York give kayakers ready access to these beachfront waters and (savvily synced with the tides) the estuaries and lower reaches of the Saco, Mousam, Ogunquit, and other rivers. Attractions range from the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge and Biddeford Pool to numerous lighthouses, among them the Cape Neddick (Nubble) Light, the Goat Island Light, and the Wood Island Light.
Maine Lakes
While we’re primarily focused on “true” sea kayaking out on brackish and full-proof saltwater, it’s worth noting that versions of kayak touring can certainly be pursued on some of Maine’s larger lakes and reservoirs, such as Moosehead, Sebago, Flagstaff, Mooselookmeguntic, and Chesuncook.
Sea Kayaking Safety & Considerations
Anytime you take a kayak out on the water—and it doesn’t have to be the open ocean; we’re talking the neighborhood pond or slow-rolling river, too—there’s an element of danger. Safety’s your paramount concern on any paddling jaunt in Maine (or anywhere else, for that matter), whether it’s a morning ramble on an inlet or a weeklong tour of the Maine Island Trail.
If you’re a complete beginner, it’s always best to enroll in a kayaking course to learn the ropes. Knowing proper paddling strokes, techniques for different kinds of water, and the intricacies of self-rescue are imperative skills. Rolling to upright yourself in the event of a capsize seems intimidating at the outset, but it can be quickly mastered with the right training and practice, and mastering it will hugely boost your confidence.
Use high-quality and updated nautical charts and a compass as well as GPS devices and mapping/navigation apps; you want multiple forms of wayfinding references, including of the hard-copy kind. Remember that it can be difficult to accurately eyeball where you are based on physical landmarks, as your low-slung, waterline kayak seat doesn’t always give you much perspective scrutinizing coastal and offshore features. Buoys and daymarks provide vital navigation and safety information: As part of your pre-trip preparation, understand what their colors, numbers, shapes, and sounds imply and how they’re symbolized on nautical charts. It goes without saying that lighthouses (for which the Maine coast is downright famous) don’t just provide aesthetic sightseeing along your journey but also provide additional beacons for getting your bearings.
Carefully study the weather forecast ahead of your paddle and carry a VHF radio for in-group communications, requests for help, and NOAA weather broadcasts. Tricky weather doesn’t have to be in the form of an all-out marine storm or heavy seas: Fog is commonplace on the Maine coast, and the drastically reduced visibility can not only impair navigation but also heighten the risks of sudden encounters with other vessels.
Speaking of, kayakers need to know how to safely traverse Maine waterways that, in some reaches of the coast, can be hot and heavy with maritime traffic: from pleasurecraft to lobster boats, ferries, and commercial ships. A paddler is lower-profile, smaller, and slower than powerboats, so don’t expect them to be well-aware and respectful of your presence. Always stay watchful, make sure you’re wearing highly visible outerwear, and understand ahead of embarking how to handle boat wakes in a kayak. Staying close to shore is a good rule of thumb for navigating busier waterways; if your route demands it, strive to cut across main, trafficky channels as quickly and carefully as possible.
(On this point, though, remember that Maine’s got an awful lot of delightfully quiet channels and coves little-used by powerboats and ships—though you should, of course, remain vigilant at all times about other vessels even in out-of-the-way places.)
Always carry a whistle, signal mirror, and first-aid kit among your essential sea-kayaking supplies.
Tides & Currents
While there’s much local variation, parts of the Maine coast experience some majorly heavy-duty tides, with tidal ranges in places greater than 20 feet. (Heck, the northeastern shore is on the doorstep of the Bay of Fundy, which lays claim to the largest tidal range on the planet!) A lot of factors go into this, including the region’s broad continental shelf, funnel-shaped bays and inlets, and intricacies of how tides interact with the seiche (basically, the natural sloshing-around rhythm of any partly or wholly enclosed body of water) of the North Atlantic, the Gulf of Maine, and smaller-scale basins.
Regardless of how severe the local tides are where you’re kayaking, you’ll want to consult a tide chart and use these twice-daily movements of water to your advantage rather than fight against them.
Prevailing currents, too, need to be taken under consideration. You may be able to capitalize on strong alongshore currents flowing in the direction you want to go. In contrast, just like fighting a flood or ebb tide, it can be exhausting to struggle against a current. Here again, it’s all about timing and routing your paddles to either utilize or (where/when possible) avoid tides and currents.
Maine Ocean Kayaking FAQs
What is the best season for sea kayaking in Maine?
Midsummer through early fall is the best general-purpose window for sea kayaking in Maine, with a friendly combination of optimal daylength, air and ocean temperatures, and typically benign weather. Early summer’s also popular, but bear in mind the Gulf of Maine is still quite cold that time of year. (Not that the Gulf of Maine is particularly warm anytime of year.) Hardier paddlers can also have a blast on shoulder-season (aka spring and fall) outings.
Do you need permits or boat registration to kayak in Maine?
Because it’s a non-motorized paddlecraft, you don’t need to register a kayak in Maine. (If you outfitted one with an electric motor, well, then you would.)
What sort of wildlife can you see while kayak touring in Maine?
Sea kayaking—and, really, paddling in general—can be an excellent way to spot wildlife. Animals are often just a bit less wigged-out by a person nestled in a kayak as compared to one afoot, and the activity’s certainly a quieter, less intrusive one than motorized boating. You’ve got a very good chance of spotting all sorts of sealife on a coastal paddle trip in Maine, including such oft-inquisitive marine mammals as harbor porpoises, Atlantic white-sided dolphins, harbor seals, and grey seals. (And you never know: you could luck out and spot the spout, or maybe breaching tail flukes, of one of the various baleen whales that summer in the Gulf of Maine.) Any number of seabirds may raft or buzz past you, and meanwhile it’s common to see bald eagles and ospreys perched on tall headland or island spruces or winging along over inshore waters in quest of fish (and, in the case of the eagles, waterfowl and seabirds).
What if I don’t have a sea kayak?
Lacking a kayak, or unable to transport yours on your vacation getaway to Maine? Well, fear not: it’s easy enough to rent a ‘yak here or join a guided outing that supplies the paddlecraft.
Can you go sea kayaking with a dog?
Some folks do indeed go sea kayaking with their pooches, but needless to say, it’s a bit more complicated than sharing a SUP or plastic sit-on-top sport kayak with your four-legged friend on a calm, sunshiney lake. A lot depends on the size of your dog, its temperament, and its onboard comfort levels, plus where you hope to paddle and for how long. It may be necessary for your dog to ride inside the cockpit with you or to have its own cockpit via a tandem ‘yak—unless you go for a sit-on-top model, which could work with a canine passenger in certain sheltered harbors, bays, and inlets but overall isn’t terribly well-suited to Maine’s chilly and sometimes rough coastal waters. In many cases, it’s just better to leave Fido at home for less rigorous/specialized water play down the line!
Find Your Personal Paddler’s Paradise on Maine’s Tidewater
If you’ve got some sea kayaking under your belt but have never experienced the Maine coast—well, you’re in for a treat and will likely find your new favorite paddling wonderland. And if you’ve never gone sea kayaking, there’s a strong probability that a guided tour here will make you fall in love with the sport (and, of course, the place).
