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. Two-hour tours leave from Vines Landing, Biddeford Pool aboard the Light Runner. . }, Moose | Whales | Puffins | Birds | Wildlife Parks & Refuges. Maine is the only place in the United States where you can see puffins in the wild. 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. Voted #1 in New England by Yankee Magazine for the best chance of finding Moose! The island is located in the lower Bay of Fundy about a mile west of Grand Manan Island, a remote island known for its iconic lighthouse. 207-646-5575. The OOB pier is one of the great American boardwalks and a slice of southern Maine at its unassuming best. Shorebirds, waterfowl, otters, and even harbor seals abound. Thurstons Lobster Pound Plus, theres always some Maine-y blueberry variation blueberry coffee cake, blueberry with lemon glaze, blueberry maple bacon. Alternatively, you may use. While all of Maines wildlife is spectacular, nothing quite compares to the whale. 207-729-5181. 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. Maple Hill Farm Inn and Conference Center. Storms periodically revealed the wreck for brief periods, about every 10 years. 9. 207-439-9324. TheTown of Ogunquithas been attracting visitors to Southern Maine for years. 37 Beach Ave., Kennebunk. Maine's whale watching season lasts from mid-April through October. 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. Josephine Newman Audubon Sanctuary and the Berry Woods Preserve The institute also tends to a hatchery that produces soft-shell seed clams to replenish clamflats in Maine, New Hampshire, and Canada. A third-generation, family-owned business, Huot Seafood Restaurant in Sacos beachside village of Camp Ellis still uses Doris Huots batter If you see a sick, injured, or dead seal in Maine, please call the Maine Marine Animal Reporting Hotline at (800) 532-9551. Plummer Point Preserve Gray seals, Halichoerus gypus, are the largest seal found in the area, with males growing to 8 feet . 39 Wildflower Ln., Beals. 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). Watch for wading birds. From $299. Join us on Adventure Seal Watch that you won't soon forget. Park at Josephine Newman Audubon Sanctuary, off Rte. Wildlife watching in Maine presents a world of diversity and endless opportunities for discovery and recreation. 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. See these historic lighthouses first-hand. Take a Hardy Boat Cruise, based in New Harbor, around the island, and watch these birds swim and romp in their natural habitat. The southern and coastal regions are influenced by air masses from the south and west. Home to rare plants like beach-head iris and birds-eye primrose, the islands managed by The Nature Conservancy. Lands End Spring is harbor seal pupping season in northern New England. 207-244-7463. Our boat puts you up close and personal with all of what the ocean has to offer. On the shoreline, you see a village that probably looks very similar to what it was in the 1930s and 1940s. Address: Been ahotel on this spot since 1872, but generations of modernization and expansion have rendered it quite contemporary. Getting pulled behind a speedboat is more relaxing than it sounds when youre drifting 1,200 feet above the waves. A great spot for a none-too-challenging family hike. .eb-p {float: right; width:65%; margin-left:2%; margin-top:-9px;} The entire Kennebunkport Coastline in an epic 1 Hour adventure. No trip to Maine would be complete without visiting Acadia National Park. Only 2 days for park - driving only, disabled, Looking for jacuzzi room in southern maine or coastal nh. Rhumb Line If you love seals, beautiful scenery, or just want to be on the ocean, this is the tour for you! Due to its location along the Atlantic Flyway, Monhegan Islandis a particularly busy bird habitat during spring and fall. Acadia National Park. More than once, a bench has been washed out to sea by storms that can wreak havoc on the path. 1945 Harpswell Islands Rd., Bailey Island. Moderate use. Reid State Park 8 Western Ave, Kennebunk, ME 04043, USA 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. Kennebunkport is famous for its many craft fairs and festivals includingChristmas Preludeand an art, food and wine Kennebunkport Festival each June. Sandy, no parking (bike in is best), no facilities. FAST FACTS ABOUT OGUNQUIT'S MARGINAL WAY, MAINE'S MOST BELOVED SHORELINE STROLL. This amusement park hosts an expansive arcade, Kiddieland, & Galaxy Coaster and carousel as well as Fireworks every Thusday night by the Pier. 15. Inn by the Sea. . From $189. Seals like to "haul out" to rest, sun themselves on rocky ledges or rocky shorelines on islands. Plummer Point Rd., off Rte. Coveside Its one of those rites of passage youd have to be a moose to fully appreciate. From $179. 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. Across the street is Camden Harbor Park, designed by the Olmsted Brothers. 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! Pete Erskine, co-owner of Mexicali Blues, one-time summer person turned year-round resident of South Bristols Rutherford Island. Portland Established in 1966 to protect sensitive salt marshes and estuaries for migratory birds, Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge was named for the world-renowned marine biologist, author and environmentalist. Catch the weekly Thursday night fireworks at Old Orchard Beach. I have researched, but can't really find a clear answer. THERES A SHIPWRECK BURIED BENEATH YORKS SHORT SANDS BEACH. (Vaping, if not banned, is still obnoxious.). New this summer: a breezy rooftop deck overlooking rocks and sea. Peek over marine scientists shoulders as they research lobsters, mussels, scallops, and other shellfish. The lobster rolls are hefty and served on a pile of crinkle-cut chips, and the fried seafood served in the adjacent Love Nest grill stacks up to any shack on the coast (dont skimp on the house-made dill tartar sauce). 12 West Side Rd., South Bristol. Moderate use. Is there a best time of day? The Colony Hotel. Light use. It is against the law to handle a marine mammal without proper authorization, and their sharp (dog-like) teeth can be very dangerous. Since the last retreat of the ice sheet, Dykstra says, the coast of Maine has been slowly rising . Join us today! 8. Golden Road 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. Brian Beal, Jonesport native and director of research at the Downeast Institute for Applied Marine Research & Education. The seals congregate in the Kennebec rivermouth every spring to gorge on returning baitfish that swim upriver. 207-833-2313. (207) 502-8040, Map Marker Seals are swimming around the harbor. However, these actions usually do more harm than good. However, with so many beautiful beaches and charming towns in southern Maine, many visitors miss the opportunity to track down these animals. Back-door access to Goochs Beach from what is very likely Americas oldest hotel: an inn has occupied the spot since at least 1660. Address: Multiple species visit the state's waters, including humpback, finback, minke and pilot. The Wells National Estuarine Reserve at Laudholm Farm and the Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge are ideal for nature lovers, and those that enjoy a good walk by the seaside and in one of Maines largest salt water marshes. 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. Its wicked cheap too. I'd drive either way. From $145. Most of Maines beaches are shingle beaches, particularly northeast of Portland, and many of those shingles were deposited there by the Laurentide Ice Sheet, which scraped them up inland as it moved across the continent some 15,000 years ago. Less dazzling ceramic bits and pieces of frozen Charlottes antique porcelain dolls are also fun to collect. The seals hauled up on the Cape are gray and harbor seals. Thirty-nine benches face the ocean, each with a sponsorship plaque that sold for $5,000 to fund trail maintenance which is necessary. Admire the endangered birds from a distance, stay out of signed restricted areas, and fill any beach holes (since chicks can tumble in). Its not every day you see a moose. Then, you can catch a puffin tour boat from Mt. 13 Drakes Island Beach Drakes Island Rd. The island is teeming with thousands of birds. The low-pressure system will strengthen into a nor'easter as it moves away from Maine tomorrow. A seal in Casco Bay, near Portland, Maine. This gateway town provides your first taste of Maine with fresh lobsters caught right off the coast. Youll need a wet suit (because brrrr), and the steep swells can be elusive, but Maines surfing community is passionate and welcoming. Grab a towel and come with us. 207-729-5181. 2391 Harpswell Islands Rd., Bailey Island. .eb-button-wide { width:400px; } 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. 207-967-4243. gokennebunks.com Crescent Beach State Park Magic hour at Crescent Beach. Miles ofsandy beaches check, amusement parks , Read More Guide to Wells Maine Condominium ResortsContinue, Your email address will not be published. 207-303-0137. If so,where would a good area be? 10. The pier was rebuilt every time, and its current, 600-foot incarnation dates to 1980. 207-363-1277. 4. Light use. Males weigh from 120 to over 300 pounds and run about five to six feet in length; females are slightly smaller. Take the Mt. Moderate use. 12 Old Orchard St. 207-934-2328. Rocky jetties, pounding surf, the smell of salt water, and beach roses galore oh, and also terrific people watching. But the real draw, as far as were concerned, is the creamy and house-made frozen custard. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2019-2022 Dunes on the Waterfront. 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. 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). 59 Morrill Rd Blue 9. Whales can be seen up and down Maines coastline, but are best viewed by booking a whale watching boat tour. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. 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. Coastal Maine Kayak & Bike, kayak or SUP tours, 3 hours, $85. Marginal Way A no-frills lobster shack paragon, it offers cold beer, rich chowders, fresh seafood, and a small deck overlooking the water. These little-visited, adjoining parcels are protected, respectively, by the Maine Audubon Society and the Nature Conservancy. Moderate use. It books up fast. The most dramatic finding was in Saco, where there was a report of a dead seal on the beach early Monday morning. 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. But the most important difference is that puffins like to hang out in Maine. If you love whales, this is your chance to see these incredibly intelligent mammals up close! 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. } Been looking online - there is one at Bar Harbor and another on the Cape. Expect to carry out your TRASH. 8 Western Ave, Kennebunk, ME 04043, USA Bowdoins environmental research station sits on 118 acres of varied terrain jutting into Harpswell Sound. 80 Beach Ave., Kennebunk. Battie In addition to whales, a number of other marine creatures will be waiting to make your acquaintance seals and dolphins among them. The ship skeleton made its most recent and most publicized appearance, following one of the winter storms the media dubbed a bomb cyclone.. Shes been at it 50 years, so we asked her for some tips. Any suggestions? To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. . Address: 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. $65, plus lunch. .page .content .inner { padding: 20px 10px 20px 20px; } Photographs: Michael D. Wilson (ice cream, punch, lobster roll, taffy, clams, beach glass); Mark Fleming (fries, donuts). 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. has seven rooms with a B&B vibe and a cozy British-style pub. Sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, toilets. There were lots of gulls and a few bald eagles as well. 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. Vazquez Mexican Food Our midwestern kids have never seen seals other than the zoo.Is there a place either in Boston, Acadia, or somewhere along the way that we could find them? 207-833-7775. Hollis Burgess, writing in The Rudder magazine, 1917. Fun and Sun, $30 kids, $50 teens and adults. Address: Camden Hills State Park, 280 Belfast Rd., Camden. Maine Quest Adventures is a locally owned and operated Katahdin Region Outfitter. Hope it helps. 96 Seguinland Rd., Georgetown.