Maine is an outdoor paradise and with 13% of the state having water coverage and even more shoreline, the kayaking choices are endless. I love kayaking in Maine and each time I get out on the water with friends, it’s just such a special, beautiful summer experience. If you are looking for best places to go kayaking in coastal Maine allow us to be your guide (with ideas, we’re not taking you paddling)!
Beginners will find calm waters to glide through the inland and cove areas of Maine, particularly on the tidal rivers. Kayakers that want more of an expedition can hit the Maine Island Trail with over 200 islands off the coast populated by harbor seals and eagles soaring high above (too adventurous for us with kids in tow). Multi-day excursions can be done in the open waters with local outfitters. Kayaking in Maine is a New England dream paddling trip! If you want to share your own kayaking spots or tips for kayaking in Maine, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and listen to others’ advice!
Easy Kayaking Spots on Maine’s Coast
The coast of Maine is filled with a rocky coastline which can feel intimidating for inexperienced paddlers. However, there are tons of harbors and coves that are protected from the Atlantic Ocean, making the state a beautiful location for a first-time or leisure paddle. Both Casco and Penobscot Bays have lots of options for kayaking, so take a look at our picks and see what will work out for you.
DISCLAIMER: like with any kayaking, whether it’s on the ponds of the Highlands or the coves of MidCoast, SAFETY FIRST. If you’re not an experienced paddler don’t throw yourself into a kayaking disaster by not understanding tides, not having the proper gear, or not knowing where you’re going. Sea kayaking can be very dangerous and you’ll want to return to shore to tell people about it. Be smart, be smart, don’t be on the news.
Boothbay Harbor
Boothbay Harbor, is filled with historic lighthouses dotting the coastline. The wildlife is abundant with seals and puffins frequently seen. Options for taking in the rocky scenic coast vary from half-day trips to multi-day options. Boothbay Harbor is filled with beautiful opportunities for kayaking coastal Maine and exploring from the water. Watch for larger boats when you kayak here, including the larger whale watching tour boats. Depending on where you choose to launch, you can avoid most boat traffic and still enjoy sights like the Cuckolds and Burnt Island Lighthouses.
Note: you can also visit the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens here! Plan a day of kayaking and gardens and you’re all set!
Where to launch:
- Public Boat Ramp, western bay
- Public Landing, central
- Maine Sea Kayaking (tours as well)
- Gray Homestead Oceanfront Camping, for guests or inquire about launch fee
Damariscotta River
The 19-mile-long Damariscotta River runs down Lincoln County before exiting into the Atlantic. The watershed covers over 100 square miles and is home to the world-famous Damariscotta River. Fishing enthusiasts will enjoy the area as the Damariscotta means “river of many fishes,” in the Algonquian language. You can kayak on the river, the bay or up at the lake area. There are also several ponds right around here, including Pemaquid Pond, that have public launches.
TIP: if you are visiting without your own kayaking gear MidCoast Kayak is located right in Damariscotta and you can either rent gear or join a tour (seasonally).
Where to launch:
- Damariscotta Town Landing, mouth of river
- Damariscotta Lake boat launch, lake to river
- Linekin Bay boat laucnh, on bay not river, but beautiful
Kennebunkport and the Kennebunk River
I love kayaking on the Kennebunk River! It’s easy, it’s pretty, and you get to take in the picturesque town of Kennebunkport from the water. You can launch your own or rent kayaks several places around town, and then just simply paddle on the river and millpond. If you’ve got a sea kayak and the skills, you can paddle out towards the beach or Cape Porpoise, but this is one of those spots that you’ll need to be mindful of the tides and sneaker waves. Cape Porpoise gives paddlers the opportunity to kayak to an island with a lighthouse. The harbor is filled with lobster boats and fishing vessels on one side. On the other section of the harbor, there are islands that welcome paddlers seeking serenity.
*SUP friendly
Where to launchL
- Mousam River boat launch, west for beach
- Mill Pond in Kennebunk, access to river
- Public Dock, paddle upstream
- Cape Porpoise Pier, for islands and lighthouse
Guided Kayaking at Scarborough Marsh or Wells Reserve
Located in Scarborough Marsh, the Maine Audubon is a great space for outdoor education. With tons of programs in late summer, August and September are the best times for a visit. The program includes regular sunset and full moon paddles perfect for beginners. We like visiting the Scarborough Marsh to watch for Maine wildlife. This is a great idea if you’ve visiting Old Orchard Beach and Saco. The Nonesuch River is really pretty and a nice and easy kayaking route.
Another good spot that does guided kayaking is the Wells Reserve near Kennebunkport. This is a good spot to explore on foot, but since it’s a part of the National Estuarine Research Reserves, there are also educational kayaking opportunities if you’re timing is right.
Where to launch:
- Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center, to kayak on Nonesuch River
- Wells Harbor Park, paddle in the estuary
Experienced Kayak Launches on Maine’s Coast
For paddlers looking for a challenging sea kayaking jaunt, the Portland Harbor, Muscongus Bay, and the coastline in general offer numerous opportunities to visit remote islands and get some unique views. Paddlers can even cross international borders and kayak to Canada if you head DownEast to Lubec or other coastal towns. Keep in mind that when you look at paddling maps and you measure distances, some of our suggestions may seem pretty easy, and they just may be for you, but ultimately the challenge comes in distances and navigating the currents. And I’ll say it again: SAFETY FIRST.
Casco Bay from Portland
There are lots of little islands in Casco Bay and also a few lighthouses. While initially this area might not seem like a challenging place to paddle, it really is due to the boat traffic, currents, changing tides and distances. Kayaking to Fort Gorges and the Diamond Islands (ledge, little and big) is a really fun and challenging paddle, but will take stamina and the right gear.
If you’re not experienced, you should definitely connect with a guide and likely join one of their trips. Portland Paddle gives tours from the east end and may fit with your kayaking goals while you’re in Portland.
Where to launch:
Muscongus Bay, Livermore, ME
Muscongus Bay is a great long day or multi-day trip that takes you through a bay perfect for intermediate or advanced paddlers. Setting out from the town of Round Pond or the Muscongus Marina, you can skirt the shoreline or paddle towards Hog Island or Louds Island. The primary boat traffic is recreational or lobster boats, so nothing too dramatic or foreboding. What makes this route something left for the more experienced paddlers is the length of the paddle and the currents. It’s a pretty simple route you can enjoy, but some kayakers may find it physically demanding.
Where to launch:
- Round Pond Town Landing, easy paddle makes way to a bigger challenge
- Muscongus Marina, head out to Hog Island or down to Louds
Bioluminescence in Castine Bay
Those that prefer night paddling and have some experience will enjoy Maine’s bioluminescent bay: Castine Harbor to the Bagaduce River. Check the tour calendar and book this trip through Castine Kayak Adventures (reviews here). If you’re not necessarily looking to do the bioluminescent kayaking from Castine, you can also paddle out and up the Bagaduce River. This isn’t so challenging and can be easily managed if you have a little sea kayaking experience already. It’s the nighttime kayaking that is for the more advanced paddlers.
Note: if you’re looking for bioluminescent kayaking and have other destinations you’re heading, it really is a very rare occurrence, as the waters have to be just right. Yes, it happens, but it typically needs to be a HOT summer night after several other hot nights before, and you need to be in the more shallow areas. It’s the same if you’re looking for bioluminescence when kayaking in the San Juan Islands or anywhere else.
Where to launch
- Ramp at Acadia Dock
- Castine Kayak Adventures for tours
Casco Bay from Harpswell
Casco Bay stretches from Portland past Freeport and northward, and it’s full of islands and sounds. For a more quiet area to exploring when you’re kayaking coastal Maine, visit the Harpswell area. Casco Bay itself has over 200 miles of rocky shoreline with frequent sightings of various animals, tons of our favorite Maine tide pools, and all-around spectacular landscapes. Be mindful of water conditions as they can vary by specific location, but going out from Harpswell is a good way to make sure you’re not just launching into the rough wilds of the larger bay. Casco Bay Kayak is the area’s trusted outfitter if you want to head out from Harpswell with a local guide.
Where to launch:
State and National Park Kayaking in Coastal Maine
Maine is filled with tons of recreation areas managed by the National and State Park authorities providing clean campsites, tons of launch sites, and a great education at each visitor center. Whales, puffins, eagles, seals, and the numerous other species that call the coast of Maine greatly benefit from the wildlife management. Below are a few ideas for different parks you can explore. And keep in mind that sea kayaking, even when in a protected, managed area can still be dangerous. SAFETY FIRST.
Kayaking at Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is a large area filled with lakes and ponds on Mount Desert Island and the Schoodic Peninsula, and with coastline all around it. Aside from paddlers, there are sailboats and motorboats that dot the coves around the island. With the summer tourism in the area, fishing, sailing cruises, and whale watching are common things most visitors enjoy, but kayaking here is really cool. There are lots of things to do at Acadia National Park, and if you need a good 3 day Acadia itinerary, we’ve got one.
If you have your own paddling gear, you can kayak on Echo and Eagle Lakes, as well as Jordan and Long Ponds.
For a complete list of options for paddling the waterways of this coast check out the National Park Service for their official paddling recommendations.
Where to launch:
- Pond’s End Boat Ramp, Long Pond
- Eagle Lake
- Echo Lake at Ikes Point
- Seal Cove, Bass Harbor, Seal Harbor Beach, Hadley Point, Bar Island Gravel Bar and Sandy Beach
Saint Croix and Campobello Island International Historic Sites
Saint Croix Island is managed by the National Park Service and has the official title of Saint Croix Island International Historic Site. Sharing a boundary with Canada, this area is pretty much free from tourists as there are no formal tours. The site has a visitor center that gives information on historical figures that are part of a 1604 expedition. If you are planning a trip note that the tides range and can be quite strong as it’s so close to the Bay of Fundy.
Former President, Franklin D. Roosevelt spent his summers on Campobello Island in Canada, enjoying the beautiful surroundings filled with forests, rugged coastline, beaches, and bogs. The area allows you to explore the summer home of FDR and the surrounding area. Be sure to visit the quaint East Quoddy Lighthouse on the island (Canada) and the West Quoddy Lighthouse in nearby Lubec (Maine). Be on the lookout for whales as this is an important migration path.
Where to launch:
- St Croix Island Visitor Center St Croix Dr, Calais, ME 04619
- Downeast Charter Boat Tours 31 Johnson St, Lubec, ME 04652
When to Visit Maine for Kayaking
The busiest time of the year to visit Maine in the summer when tourists fill the coastal towns, taking in the long summer days and warm weather. The fall is perfect for those wanting to see the change in colors and fall foliage, and if you’re lucky you’ll actually still get some of the wonderful summer temperatures. Winter is great for snow sports but don’t expect to paddle. Springtime is still quite cool and for those unprepared, can be characterized as dangerously cold still, especially if the snow is sticking around. Paddling season typically starts at the end of spring and goes until early fall.
If you’re visiting Maine between May and October, there are some really cool glamping options along the coast you should check out. This can be a great budget option, because Maine is expensive to visit in summertime.
Weather in Maine
Winter in Maine is typically cold and snowy, with temperatures averaging around 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Spring is a bit warmer, with average temperatures in the 40s and 50s. Summer is the warmest season of the year, with average temperatures in the 60s and 70s. Fall is a bit cooler than summer, with average temperatures in the 50s. If kayaking coastal Maine is your goal, in consideration of the storms coming in off the Atlantic and the cold water temperatures, SUMMER IS THE TIME.
Need to Know for Maine
Beyond the spectacular coastline, there are many activities away from the water and without a paddle. Maine is a great place for hiking, with miles of scenic coastline and rugged wilderness areas. We love camping, hiking, canoeing, and stargazing. Did you know that you can even watch for the Northern Lights in Maine from September to early May?
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing day at the beach or an adventurous backpacking trip through the mountains, or to simply get out on the water and go kayaking in coastal Maine you’ll find plenty of exciting things to do in Maine. If you’re looking for some urban excitement, check out Portland or Bangor – these bustling cities offer plenty of restaurants and cultural attractions to keep you entertained. No matter what kind of activity you enjoy, there’s something fun to do in Maine!
