By Tuesday, Marine Mammals of Maine had responded to about three dozen dead seals on beaches from Cape Elizabeth south to York. The best things to do, great lodging, unique restaurants, and more. To up your chances of seeing a moose in Maine, or to put your wildlife photography skills to the test, contact one of the outfitters that specialize in moose watching tours, also known as moose safaris. 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? Not a hiker? Explore gentle wooded trails at Kennebunkports lovely Edwin L. Smith Preserve. So what is a puffin? Historically, harbor seals pupped in Massachusetts, and there are increasing sightings of very small pups here in May and June. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-113315485', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Boston in July. Hope it helps. You ll have the opportunity to safely and comfortably view these magnificent creatures and other wildlife as you learn about moose habits and habitat from a knowledgeable guide. We are a small family run outfit that specializes in personalized one-on-one guided trips. Maine's whale watching season lasts from mid-April through October. At the right time of year, you can spot as many as twenty moose in one outing. Fresh flowers in each room, an exquisite restaurant, and complimentary bikes and canoes are a few of the perks From $348. Light use. Our boat puts you up close and personal with all of what the ocean has to offer. Pebbly/sandy, paid parking, toilets. Camdens one literary town. The southernmost section, known as the Main Beach, has copious concessions and spots to rent everything from beach chairs to bodyboards, along with warm(-ish) commingled waters where the Ogunquit River spills into the sea. My family and I will be visiting Acadia and (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? .eb-thumbnail {width:30%;} 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. 207-371-2616, Every year, I return to this spot. 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-57909508', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Portland. 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. 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). In addition to whales, a number of other marine creatures will be waiting to make your acquaintance seals and dolphins among them. 22 Fortunes Rocks Beach Fortunes Rocks Rd. 207-967-4461. Theyll be back up again before you know it. 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. Theres an independent spirit that comes along with that, and its fundamental to the culture of the town. Moderate use. 9. Mt. 207-236-3109. On Sundays, hit up the Kittery Community Market for picnic supplies, live music, and a kids corner with art and science projects. Their population is greatest in the Western Lakes and Mountains regions, the Kennebec Valley, the Maine Highlands, and Aroostook County. Light use. Kennebunkport is famous for its many craft fairs and festivals includingChristmas Preludeand an art, food and wine Kennebunkport Festival each June. 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. 15. 207-646-0455. .eb-p {float: right; width:65%; margin-left:2%; margin-top:-9px;} If you love seals, beautiful scenery, or just want to be on the ocean, this is the tour for you! 207-967-6065. Light use. Including approximately 5,000 pairs of puffins, 1,000 pairs of razorback auks and 500 pairs of common murres. NOAA Fisheries has listed 22 species of marine mammals under the ESA. State biologists estimate there are roughly 75,000 moose roaming Maines rugged landscapethe largest concentration in the country next to Alaska. But researchers haven't yet confirmed the origin this time. , Greenville. Steve Dunne ran the place from 1993 to 2014, then opened his own stand across the way, serving generous scoops of Shains of Maine right in between Short and Long Sands beaches. Scout rocky, rather than sandy, beaches, since sea glass often ends up wedged in among the rocks. 70 Rte. Youll need a wet suit (because brrrr), and the steep swells can be elusive, but Maines surfing community is passionate and welcoming. 207-729-5181. Their combined trail network offers 6 miles of mostly gentle hiking through cattail marshland and quiet mixed forest, with periodic lookouts taking in the Sasanoa River and Robinhood Cove (watch for ospreys soaring overhead). Tucked below the cliffs at about the midpoint, Little Beach is a pocket beach thats submerged at high tide. 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). Expect about an hour of instruction and another hour of fishing. 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. Moderate use. #5 in Best Maine Beaches. 207-563-1393. Take a book and a blanket and let the ocean breezes sweep your cares away. It's hard enough to find them by going ten miles out to sea. I have been going to southern Maine with my family my entire life, and this view and landscape is one of my absolute favorites. First, you need to understand glacial rebound. Partially enveloped by the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, it supports only a fraction of the tourism infrastructure that beachgoers expect out of neighboring Kennebunk, so while you wont find showers or lifeguards, you may well spot harbor seals sunning on the white sand or hermit crabs skittering around the tide pools. Visit the Easterseals Store. Maines Holy Donut micro-chain has a Scarborough outpost a few miles from the towns best beaches. 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. } A 4.5-mile trail loops around the northern section of this 1,576-acre preserve, more than half of it crossing over breathtaking, wide-open coastal headlands. 59 Sea St., Camden. Like any wild animal, seals are where you find them, so no guarantees. A visit tohistoric Yorkwill show you some of Southern Maines fascinating history including the oldest jail in the country at Old York. SMOKING (anything) is prohibited at state parks and by most town-run beaches. Plus, theres room to roam. 16 Middle Beach Beach Ave. Pebbly, paid (limited) parking, no facilities. Ride a restored streetcar at the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport. Harborside Cottages, nestled over small, working New Harbor, has been in business since 1950. 29 Eastern Ave. 207-282-1642. 12 Little Island Way, Bass Harbor. 13 Drakes Island Beach Drakes Island Rd. To report seal strandings south of Maine, please call the NOAA Fisheries Stranding Hotline: (866) 755-6622. I had read that September through April is the best time to see them but read reviews from July and August that said they saw plenty. Share your pride in Easterseals with branded products from the Easterseals store. 207-646-5139. ogunquit.org, Although it still welcomes plenty of beachgoers in midsummer, Goose Rocks Beach, in Cape Porpoise, has a touch of wildness to it. Where receptacles are available, dont fill them with huge bags or large items like broken umbrellas or chairs. A seal in Casco Bay, near Portland, Maine. The huge kitsch clearinghouse at Lands End is worth visiting if only for the decadent homemade fudge. 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. 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. Some beaches ban DOGS or mandate leashes, while others set aside hours (often early) when four-legged friends are welcome. The trip departs daily at 5:30pm, and trips end in late August. Sandy, paid (limited) parking, no facilities. A best-in-class spa, cool mod art collection, breathtaking ocean-view infinity pool, and crisp seaside dcor help make Cliff House among Maines swankiest splurge lodging options. If you see a sick, injured, or dead seal in Maine, please call the Maine Marine Animal Reporting Hotline at (800) 532-9551. 207-303-0137. 1A. Just over the bridge from Jonesport on Beals, Bayview delivers on the promise of its name plus, its lobster roll was voted number one in Maine and Massachusetts by USA Today readers. 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. Then, you can catch a puffin tour boat from Mt. As it turns out, theyve been in social networks a lot longer than we have. Christi / Flickr. All the way out on Bailey Island, where the road abruptly cuts off at a cement barrier and the land literally ends, sweeping views of Casco Bay draw a steady stream of travelers. No, thats not a penguin youre seeing. Self-consciously vintage, this rebooted 1950s motor-court motel has guest rooms, housekeeping cottages, and a boutique ambiance, with a saltwater pool, luxe linens, and flat-screens. View our Privacy Policy. The institute also tends to a hatchery that produces soft-shell seed clams to replenish clamflats in Maine, New Hampshire, and Canada. (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 Vazquez Mexican Food Kayak Excursions SUP tours, 1 hours, $50. So why does Maine have so many sandy beaches down south? We did the nature (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Inland cottage resorts feature either traditional cottages or gatherings of rustic cabins. Photographed by Freddy Bloy. No trip to Maine would be complete without visiting Acadia National Park. From Portlandswaterfront, there is easy access to Casco Bay ferries, water taxis, and boat tours to nearby islands including Peaks Island, Diamond Island, and Long Island. 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. Located within Acadia National Park, the lighthouse is a favorite of photographers, who typically shoot from the rocky shore below. 207-646-4909. 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. 207-646-5575. 375 Seguinland Rd., Georgetown. The island is teeming with thousands of birds. Come to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? By following the directions at that number, your call will be directed to the appropriate responder. 207-497-5769. 92 Pine Point Rd., Scarborough. 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. I was at Kettle Cove in Cape Elizabeth yesterday and there were seals right off the point in front of where I was sitting. Theyre really not. Though distinctly different in design, the two parks complement each other so well, they feel like one. @media screen and (min-width: 410px) { They will shed their antlers in November or December and grow new, larger antlers in the spring. Answer 1 of 5: Is it possible to see Seals in October? More than once, a bench has been washed out to sea by storms that can wreak havoc on the path. Bass Harbor is almost exclusively a working harbor its all lobsterboats and fishing boats and nearly all the small businesses in town are fishermen. 3. The captain will make every effort to take requests and will tailor the tour according to the weather. .page .lead { padding: 0 60px 0 60px; } 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). 14. Mammals. 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! In its first year with new director Michael Mansfield (most recently of the Smithsonian Museum of American Art), Ogunquits nationally recognized art museum has an impressive slate of summer and fall exhibitions. 8 Ogunquit Beach Beach St. Sandy, paid parking, concessions, lifeguards, showers and toilets. Walk the coastal trail, explore the childrens garden, and admire Portland Head Light at Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth. Some beaches (Goose Rocks and Long Sands among them) allow FIRES (conditions obliging), but town permits are a must. If you need more adrenaline, theyll kill the engine and let you parachute into the drink. more. Our daily, two hour long, sunset tours are one of the best ways to see seals in southern Maine in June-August! Sandy, free (limited) parking, no facilities. 8 Western Ave, Kennebunk, ME 04043, USA 207-230-8495. . 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. Portland, ME 04101 11. Seeing Seals with Portland Paddle. Rmew / Flickr. 398 Rte. Marginal Way Portland to Bar Harbor - is the best way? When you look out on the Jonesport and Beals harbor, you see only working lobsterboats. Ogunquit Beachis a peninsula beach with water on three sides and was rated by Good Housekeeping as one of the top ten beaches in the United States. 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/. , Greenville. Old Village Inn. Try the house specialty, a none-too-sweet blueberry martini. 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. }, Moose | Whales | Puffins | Birds | Wildlife Parks & Refuges. Channel your inner pirate at Schooner Miniature Golf, in Saco, where youll putt around (and aboard) a 75-foot windjammer. 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. A high-energy, improv-heavy flute, cello, and drum trio. Visit historic Wood Island Lighthouse! Five Islands Lobster Company Address: This does not include mammals, such as seals and whales, that must live in ocean environments or domestic mammals like cattle, dogs, and people. Camden Harbor Park and Amphitheatre Late spring means seal pupping season in mid-coast Maine. Isle au Haut, Isle Au Haut, ME, USA. 15 Mothers Beach Beach Ave. Sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, toilets. 207-644-8300. 1 Bypass, Kittery. Been ahotel on this spot since 1872, but generations of modernization and expansion have rendered it quite contemporary. Camden Hills State Park is laced with miles of trails, nearly all leading to incredible views of Penobscot Bay, but if you only have time for one mountain, make it Battie. PO Box 773 Many of the small islands off the coast of Maine are filled top to bottom with these charming little birds. A no-frills lobster shack paragon, it offers cold beer, rich chowders, fresh seafood, and a small deck overlooking the water. In Maine, please call the Maine Marine Animal Reporting Hotline at (800) 532-9551. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. .eb-col { width: 31%; float: left; margin: 7px 2% 0 0;} You get all this while enjoying your own personal front-row seat! 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.. Fall is when the impressive antlers of the bull moose are fully formed. Ogunquit Museum of American Art 20 Goose Rocks Beach Kings Hwy. Its made-to-order (takes about 6 minutes when the staff breaks out the machine) and you can enjoy a cone in an Adirondack chair on the sunny deck. From Kittery to Old Orchard Beach, the Southern Maine Coast is the perfect vacation getaway. Camden Hills State Park, 280 Belfast Rd., Camden. 13. Make a reservation today! About half that is along the water itself, running parallel to muddy flats and steep, short cliffs. 8 Beach St., York Beach. Its a short paddle to Stevens Brook, behind Footbridge Beach, and a network of tiny tidal streams in the Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge. Share this Article. Although all are classified as humid continental, small differences exist among regions. 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. A good pair of binoculars is a great way to enjoy them while still giving them enough distance so as not to disturb them. 12 Wells Beach Mile Rd. Get outside on your next vacation, and visitsome of the best places to see wildlife in southern Maine. Sandy, free (limited) parking, lifeguards, showers and toilets. Moderate use. But over the years, we've had good luck at the Indian Point Blagdon Preserve, especially at low tide. Sandy, paid parking, concessions, lifeguards, toilets. 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? Later in the day its time to kick back with some me time on the rocks or rafting together on the water. 23 Biddeford Pool Beach Rte. Station Rd., Beals. Glenn Dochtermann (go ahead and call him Doc) learned to fish off the beach from his dad some 60 years ago, and hes been out surf-casting ever since for stripers, pollack, and more. Photograph by Benjamin Williamson, 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, Acadia National Park in Winter is a Little-Visited Marvel, Campobello Island Is Neither Here nor There, At Sunday River, The Best Doughnuts You Can Buy On a Ski Trail, Lynne Drexler Saw the World Through Kaleidoscope Eyes. Moderate use. One hard-to-miss difference is that puffins can fly and penguins cant. But the real draw, as far as were concerned, is the creamy and house-made frozen custard. The first town, upon entering the Southern Maine Coast isKittery. 207-646-6263. 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). .page .lead { width: 100%; padding: 0; } Its houses are layered down to the calm water of the bay. . A third-generation, family-owned business, Huot Seafood Restaurant in Sacos beachside village of Camp Ellis still uses Doris Huots batter 8 Western Ave., Kennebunk. Light use. 10 North Beach Ocean Ave. Sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, toilets. A great spot for a none-too-challenging family hike. 207-367-2788. Glass bottles are also a no-no, regardless of whats in them. In the warmer months, Finback, Right, and Minke whales as well as the Humpback migrate to the feeding grounds off the coast of Maine. 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. $6 Maine residents, $8 non-residents. Every time it happens. 1945 Harpswell Islands Rd., Bailey Island. Dont leave logs on the beach or fires unattended. The best time for whale watching is mid-April to October. On the shoreline, you see a village that probably looks very similar to what it was in the 1930s and 1940s. A good pair of binoculars is a great way to enjoy them while still giving them enough distance so as not to disturb them. A few doors apart are three indie bookstores: cozy Owl & Turtle Bookshop Caf (33 Bay View St.; 207-230-7335), with a fine collection of fiction, nonfiction, and childrens books; Shermans Maine Coast Book Shop (14 Main St., Camden; 207-236-2223), with a large selection of Maine books and souvenirs; and the charming Stone Soup Books, a nook of a secondhand store tucked above Marriners Restaurant (35 Main St., Camden; 207-763-3354). Moderate use. Explore the tidewater on a paddling day trip. Our Programs. 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. Lands End The pretty dunes are speckled with beach grasses and songbirds, and the rocky headlands are great for clambering and, when the tide is low, scouring the tide pools for limpets, periwinkles, and the occasional starfish.
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