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. 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! .eb-hr {margin-top: 110px;} 6 Cape Neddick Beach Shore Rd. .eb-col a { text-decoration: none; } .page .content .inner { padding: 20px; } Wildlife watching in Maine presents a world of diversity and endless opportunities for discovery and recreation. Isle au Haut, Isle Au Haut, ME, USA. Their morning lunch cruise includes an hour-plus stop on the island of Frenchboro. What not to do on the southern Maine seashore. Pete Erskine, co-owner of Mexicali Blues, one-time summer person turned year-round resident of South Bristols Rutherford Island. One hard-to-miss difference is that puffins can fly and penguins cant. 2391 Harpswell Islands Rd., Bailey Island. Pat Lacey, Down East reader. Address: 207-303-0137. Light use. 13. 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. Dont leave logs on the beach or fires unattended. At Acadia you will occasionally see harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and gray seals (Halichoerus grypus) just offshore and in the area harbors. It is thought that females from Massachusetts migrate to quiet islands in New Hampshire and southern Maine to pup. In all, Maine has 58 species of wild mammals that currently live within its borders. Plus, theres always some Maine-y blueberry variation blueberry coffee cake, blueberry with lemon glaze, blueberry maple bacon. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-113316404', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');New England Aquarium without going inside. 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. Ive been lucky enough to experience the magic of the cove since childhood. 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. 375 Seguinland Rd., Georgetown. Its one of those rites of passage youd have to be a moose to fully appreciate. , Livermore, P.O. 14. 3. Camden Harbor Park and Amphitheatre The entire Kennebunkport Coastline in an epic 1 Hour adventure. Southern Maine Coasts Saco and Biddeford add oceanside haunts and typical Downtown Maine attractions to visit. Explore Maine using our interactive map that features local businesses, guides, restaurants, lodging and more. There were also hiking trails close by where we found wild blueberries. , Bingham. 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. It has consistently been our best Maine canoe trip for spotting wildlife, including moose and eagles. 207-646-4909. State biologists estimate there are roughly 75,000 moose roaming Maines rugged landscapethe largest concentration in the country next to Alaska. But over the years, we've had good luck at the Indian Point Blagdon Preserve, especially at low tide. @media screen and (min-width: 410px) { But researchers haven't yet confirmed the origin this time. You'll visi You and the whole family are invited to exscape and relax in Maine's Aroostook County. 207-967-2321. .eb-thumbnail {width:25%;} Share your pride in Easterseals with branded products from the Easterseals store. Join us today! PARKING often requires a trip to the town office for a permit. Gray seals, Halichoerus gypus, are the largest seal found in the area, with males growing to 8 feet . Heavy use. Its pricey, but so picturesque. Nothing fancy just fresh local seafood served a variety of ways at a family-friendly restaurant (its also carnivore friendly: steak and chicken are on the menu). From $179. All the potato donuts are tasty, but dont sleep on this summers customer-chosen flavor, honey lavender. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Start typing to see results or hit ESC to close. The OOB pier is one of the great American boardwalks and a slice of southern Maine at its unassuming best. The refuge is located along 50 miles of Maines picturesque coastline in York and Cumberland counties. 80 Beach Ave., Kennebunk. Expect to carry out your TRASH. 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). 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. Though distinctly different in design, the two parks complement each other so well, they feel like one. Tucked below the cliffs at about the midpoint, Little Beach is a pocket beach thats submerged at high tide. Eli Strauss, owner of Bass Harbor Island Cruises. An award-winning saxophonist in the bebop and swing traditions. 207-497-3301. In Thurstons screened dining room, you see lobsterboats coming and going, some of them unloading their catch on the wharf just below your perch. Sandy, paid parking, concessions, showers and toilets. It books up fast. Lets start with the Project Puffin Visitor Center in Rockland. Cliff House. This amusement park hosts an expansive arcade, Kiddieland, & Galaxy Coaster and carousel as well as Fireworks every Thusday night by the Pier. Peek over marine scientists shoulders as they research lobsters, mussels, scallops, and other shellfish. Hours and hours of walking here, and probably hundreds of photos. Been looking online - there is one at (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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! 10 North Beach Ocean Ave. Sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, toilets. I appreciate your time. Yorks sandy beaches, good surf and fantastic scenery provide visitors with fun in the sun. 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. Ogunquits paved, mile-and-a-quarter seaside footpath is a classic Maine stretch of the legs. Portland, Maineoffers a city feel with a twist. There were lots of gulls and a few bald eagles as well. . 59 Sea St., Camden. Sandy, paid (limited) parking, no facilities. The age class of harp seal we tend to see are the juveniles, who are around 12-14 months old . 29 Eastern Ave. 207-282-1642. Some beaches (Goose Rocks and Long Sands among them) allow FIRES (conditions obliging), but town permits are a must. To aid her search in sand, Mehlhorn uses a sifter attached to a long handle. Little Coveside might have the finest deck dining in the state, overlooking the harbors gnarly little outcrop islands and often hosting some al fresco troubadour. 1. However, these actions usually do more harm than good. Kitterys Route 1 is filled with outlet stores of every kind imaginable and famous Kittery Trading Post. The Southern Maine Coast region is a year-round vacation spot with miles of sandy beaches, many hotels, motels and inns, excellent restaurants, and both indoor and outdoor activities for every season. The best times to spot moose are at dusk and dawn from mid-May through July and again in the fall during their breeding season. 40 Bowery Beach Rd., Cape Elizabeth. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-60977754', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruise off shore. Built in 1883, the downtown inn, a half-mile from Ogunquit Beach, 92 Pine Point Rd., Scarborough. .eb-thumbnail {width:30%;} @media only screen and (min-width: 1024px){ 8 Western Ave, Kennebunk, ME 04043, USA (Vaping, if not banned, is still obnoxious.). As it turns out, theyve been in social networks a lot longer than we have. 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). Give this Article . A noreaster removed enough sand from the beach to uncover the wreck for the first time in modern memory. Later in the day its time to kick back with some me time on the rocks or rafting together on the water. Visit Katahdin Air. . Featured Attractions 207-363-1277. 207-646-6263. Come to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 2. Heavy use. 12 Little Island Way, Bass Harbor. Maine is the only place in the United States where you can see puffins in the wild. Look out for the worlds largest mammals aboard one of southern Maines whale watch boats, and get ready to be splashed! Maine is the only place in the United States where you can see puffins in the wild. 207-230-8495. 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. Maines Holy Donut micro-chain has a Scarborough outpost a few miles from the towns best beaches. .page .lead { padding: 0 20px 0 20px; } Kayak Excursions SUP tours, 1 hours, $50. Great Wass Island Preserve 9. PO Box 160 .page .lead { width: 100%; padding: 0; } Park at Josephine Newman Audubon Sanctuary, off Rte. We are a small family run outfit that specializes in personalized one-on-one guided trips. FAST FACTS ABOUT OGUNQUIT'S MARGINAL WAY, MAINE'S MOST BELOVED SHORELINE STROLL. .eb-image-right {width:100%; max-width:400px;} Gray seals are bigger; they're between 7 and 8 feet long, and can. 47 Shore Rd., Bass Harbor. Rhumb Line Join us on Adventure Seal Watch that you won't soon forget. 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 . Play Skee-Ball, Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and more at the retro Fun-O-Rama arcade pavilion on York Beach. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2019-2022 Dunes on the Waterfront. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Nubble Light is a beacon for photographers and lighthouse lovers visiting Yorks Sohier Park. 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 need more adrenaline, theyll kill the engine and let you parachute into the drink. 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. Maple Hill Farm Inn and Conference Center. White Barn Inn. Approved and Prohibited Freshwater Species, Lobster Fishing License and Trap Tag Counts, Maine Lobster Research, Education, and Development Board, Maine Lobster Limited Entry and Apprentice Program, Eligibility Criteria for Maine Students Who Want to Start Lobstering, Lobster and Other Trap/Pot Gear Modification Requirements, River Herring (Alewives and Blueback Herring), Maine DMR Online Licensing System Frequently Asked Questions, Maine Diver and Dive Tender License Safety Training Requirements, On-Line Harvester Catch & Landings Reporting, Maine Harvester Landing Reporting Form Examples, Saltwater Recreational Fishing Registry (license), Tuna, Shark, and Other Large Species Information, Tips for Catch and Release of Striped Bass, Maine Saltwater Recreational Fishing Opportunities to Participate, Maine Saltwater Sport Fishing Tournaments for 2022, Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) Summary, Shellfish Closures and Aquaculture Leases Map, Maine Shellfish Dealer Certification and Inspection, Municipal Shellfish Conservation Warden Information, Phytoplankton Monitoring Form and Guides for Volunteers, Water Quality Monitoring Forms and Protocols, Maine Shellfish Dealer Sanitation and HACCP Guidelines Manual and Forms, Salmon Restoration and Conservation Program (ASRCP), "Experimental" (Limited Purpose) Lease Applications and Forms, Limited-Purpose Aquaculture (LPA) License Applications and Forms, Public Participation in Aquaculture Leasing, Atlantic Halibut Research Tags and Rewards, Maine - New Hampshire Inshore Trawl Survey, Data Dashboard, Reports, and Publications, Maine Coastal Program's Mapping Initiative, MCMI - Current Projects and Program Highlights, Habitat Restoration and Tools (Maine Stream Habitat Viewer), Job, Internship, and Volunteer Opportunities, Business and Economic Development Resources. 18 Colony Beach Ocean Ave. Pebbly/sandy, free parking, no facilities. 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. 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. .page .lead {padding: 0 110px 0 110px;} All rights reserved. The Southern Maine Coast region is a year-round vacation spot with miles of sandy beaches, many hotels, motels and inns,excellent restaurants, and both indoor and outdoor activities for every season. Puffins arent the only birds that Maine can boast. .eb-linked-heading {border:none; text-decoration:none; color:inherit;} Our boat puts you up close and personal with all of what the ocean has to offer. Maine artists loom large: through the end of August, youll find the abstract landscapes of John Marin and the stylized portraits of Will Barnet. Where should we go to see whales, seals, puffins without a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? In 2007, archaeologists measured the hull and took samples of the wood. Aragosta This site uses cookies to offer you a better browsing experience. Watch for wading birds. Where receptacles are available, dont fill them with huge bags or large items like broken umbrellas or chairs. 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. New this summer: a breezy rooftop deck overlooking rocks and sea. Our Programs. The Strausses share stories about their community and the fishing way of life, and they stop to haul a lobster trap. Beach ecosystems are fragile, and visitors should never walk across vegetated areas. Ten of these species occur on the West Coast: Guadalupe fur seals and nine cetaceans, including two distinct population segments (DPS) of humpback whale and the Western North Pacific DPS of gray whale. Sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, toilets. It is not unusual for a seal pup to be left alone on the beach by its mother for up to 24 hours. 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/. 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. 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. 207-799-5871. maine.gov/crescentbeach. Portland, ME 04101 240 Bayview Rd., Orrs Island. Shop Now. It was amazing! 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. 207-371-2616, Every year, I return to this spot. 27 Main St., Stonington. On the way out, Kettle Cove Creamery and Caf is a stone-cold classic for cones and lobster rolls. Light use. At the southeastern end of Georgetown Island, a 10-minute drive from the harbor, two sandy beaches beckon. Moderate use. The Colony Hotel. Address: For the best visibility, time your. Grab a towel and come with us. While sightings are not common, moose have been known to roam the park and reveal themselves to visitors. 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. Harbor seals are 5 to 6 feet long and weigh up to 285 pounds. 398 Rte. 12. Battie Trail (each isa half-mile). Thats enough to start their own moose lodge. The pier was rebuilt every time, and its current, 600-foot incarnation dates to 1980. 12 Old Orchard St. 207-934-2328. The captain will make every effort to take requests and will tailor the tour according to the weather. Bayview Takeout Barnacle Billys Stay off the GRASS! Join us on Adventure Seal Watch that you wont soon forget. Tickets a la carte, $25$40. }, Moose | Whales | Puffins | Birds | Wildlife Parks & Refuges. North from Perkins Cove to Beach St., with multiple access points along the way. In southern Maine, not all the best places to see wildlife are remote islands or national parks. Get ready for some adventure because this tour has it all. Take the Mt. Seafood Ketch 24 Hills Beach Rte. Portland to Bar Harbor - is the best way? Whale watching in Maine is kind of a big deal. 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. 591 Shore Rd., Ogunquit. If so,where would a good area be? That's about the best I can do with so little info. MOVE OVER, OGUNQUIT, YORK'S GOT A DRAMATIC CLIFF WALK OF ITS OWN. Rmew / Flickr. The puffins have already left their nesting areas. 3 York Harbor Beach Rte. Like Mainers, the pier doesnt let the elements keep it down: a storm partially wrecked it the year it opened, a fire burned the entrance in 1907, waves diminished its length throughout the mid20th century, and a blizzard took it down in 1978. Pinnipeds. 10. @media only screen and (min-width: 600px){ Sandy, paid parking, concessions, lifeguards, toilets. 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). 1 Marina Way Sandy, paid parking, concessions, showers and toilets. .page .lead { padding: 0 60px 0 60px; } Your email address will not be published. 207-497-5769. 5. Light use. 207-730-1926. 9 Thurston Rd., Bernard. 30 Higgins Beach Ocean Ave. Sandy, paid parking, showers and toilets. According to the Marine Mammals of Maine, on southern Maine beaches, many people try to help these young seals by feeding them or wrapping them up and bring them to the water.