What a legacy Mary Louise Curtis Bok has given to the town of Camden! In addition to whales, a number of other marine creatures will be waiting to make your acquaintance seals and dolphins among them. 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. Kayak Excursions SUP tours, 1 hours, $50. The tight-knit summer community combined with the pristine sheltered harbor has been creating fond memories for generations. Its slightly ramshackle look complements OOBs come-one-come-all vibe this is a beach where you can attack a hunk of fried dough while wading in a Speedo and nobody looks at you twice, and the pier is the charmingly ragtag monument it deserves. Harbor seals range in color from brown to gray, with visible spotting, and blend in well with their surroundings when hauled out on a rock or ledge. Bird Flu May Have Caused Seal Strandings in Maine - The New York Times Is there a best time of day? 51 Main St., Stonington. While sightings are not common, moose have been known to roam the park and reveal themselves to visitors. 8 Beach St., York Beach. Morses Cribstone Grill 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). Many of the small islands off the coast of Maine are filled top to bottom with these charming little birds. By Tuesday, Marine Mammals of Maine had responded to about three dozen dead seals on beaches from Cape Elizabeth south to York. 1. #5 in Best Maine Beaches. Shes been at it 50 years, so we asked her for some tips. recipe from 1935. Light use. Pinnipeds. Travelers from all over the world flock to the Southern Maine coast for the ideal summer vacation. 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. In the warmer months, Finback, Right, and Minke whales as well as the Humpback migrate to the feeding grounds off the coast of Maine. Moderate use. PO Box 773 207-967-6065. Our Programs. Desert Island or mainland ports like Jonesport, Cutler, Bar Harbor, Millbridge, Stonington, Rockland, Boothbay Harbor, New Harbor and Port Clyde. $65, plus lunch. The captain will make every effort to take requests and will tailor the tour according to the weather. The dusky glare helps hunters distinguish darker colors against rocks. Sandy, free (limited) parking, lifeguards, showers and toilets. Explore gentle wooded trails at Kennebunkports lovely Edwin L. Smith Preserve. 15. Where receptacles are available, dont fill them with huge bags or large items like broken umbrellas or chairs. 19 Cleaves Cove Beach Halcyon Way. $10 admission, $9 students and seniors. From $129. Address: The island is teeming with thousands of birds. White Barn Inn. . It books up fast. Get outside on your next vacation, and visitsome of the best places to see wildlife in southern Maine. 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. 9 Footbridge Beach Ocean St. Sandy, paid parking, concessions, lifeguards, toilets. Light use. .eb-p {float: right; width:65%; margin-left:2%; margin-top:-9px;} Josephine Newman Audubon Sanctuary and the Berry Woods Preserve 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. P.O. 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). Built by a Connecticut bridge company in 1898, its a remnant of the golden age of Atlantic beach towns, when seaside boardwalks and pleasure piers sprang up from Atlantic City to Daytona Beach. Its cottages stud the nearby shore and forest. Barnacle Billys Moderate use. A third-generation, family-owned business, Huot Seafood Restaurant in Sacos beachside village of Camp Ellis still uses Doris Huots batter Join us today! 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. I appreciate your time. Dont disturb piping plover or least tern HABITAT. During the summer season in the Southern Coast of Maine, you can overhear many visitors speaking English, French, various European languages, and even Jamaican. .eb-col img { width: 100%; } 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. 17. The National Marine Fisheries Service recommend that any stranded animal be left alone. 22 Fortunes Rocks Beach Fortunes Rocks Rd. Aragosta Grab a towel and come with us. Several Maine State Park Campgrounds make good basecamps for regional moose watching. See what 40,000 pounds ofcandy looks like at Yummies Candy & Nuts in Kittery. The island is teeming with thousands of birds. . Follow Harbor Dr. to Lighthouse Rd. , Livermore. Although all are classified as humid continental, small differences exist among regions. Dont bring Fido without checking. Moderate use. @media screen and (min-width: 480px) { Maine Quest Adventures is a locally owned and operated Katahdin Region Outfitter. Ninety-two gray and harbor seals were reported stranded in Maine between May 10 and July 4. Credit. Youll see Goat Island Light in Cape Porpoise and then travel to Goose Rocks for more seals and back down the coast to Wells. On the shoreline, you see a village that probably looks very similar to what it was in the 1930s and 1940s. Wildlife watching in Maine presents a world of diversity and endless opportunities for discovery and recreation. 207-230-8495. The best time for whale watching is mid-April to October. Deer Isle Jazz Festival An award-winning saxophonist in the bebop and swing traditions. 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! The OOB pier is one of the great American boardwalks and a slice of southern Maine at its unassuming best. 207-967-4243. gokennebunks.com Crescent Beach State Park Magic hour at Crescent Beach. 207-363-1277. Ogunquit Museum of American Art The health risk posed by avian flu to the general public is low; however, precautions are recommended. IF NOTHING SAYS Maine to you quite like the mingled scents of salt water and sunscreen, the crisp tug of a wetsuit around your torso, or the damp slap of flip-flops on a wooden boardwalk, you are far from alone. Theres an independent spirit that comes along with that, and its fundamental to the culture of the town. PO Box 171 Ambajejus Lake Hit the Scoop Deck near Wells Beach to choose from among a whopping 72 flavors of ice cream. Sandy, paid parking, no facilities. (207) 502-8040, 8 Western Ave. inside Coastal Maine Kayak and Bike. 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. Whoever has once visited this delightful region will never forget it, as the scenery is not surpassed in any part of Maine, and it is a veritable yachtsmans paradise. } Light use. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-60977754', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruise off shore. Its one of those rites of passage youd have to be a moose to fully appreciate. Ride a rollercoaster at Sacos Funtown Splashtown. At the southeastern end of Georgetown Island, a 10-minute drive from the harbor, two sandy beaches beckon. . The park is home to animals that have been injured, orphaned or are too dependent on humans to be released back into the wild. Bowdoin College Coastal Studies Center A good pair of binoculars is a great way to enjoy them while still giving them enough distance so as not to disturb them. Not a hiker? Where is the best place to see seals in the wild. If you have a boat you can see seals basking on the rocks around Cundy's Harbor in Harpswell at mid to low tide most days all summer. 8 Western Ave., Kennebunk. We, and friends, have also often seen them on some of the tours offered by the Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company, especially some of their non-whale tours that stay closer to shore (I'd check their website). Whale watching in Maine is kind of a big deal. , Greenville. From $179. Re: seals 8 years ago Save What is your time frame? Guide to Southern Maine Beaches - Down East Magazine Ashley Billman, Down East reader. Sandy, paid parking, concessions, lifeguards, toilets. Its a short paddle to Stevens Brook, behind Footbridge Beach, and a network of tiny tidal streams in the Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge. But the most important difference is that puffins like to hang out in Maine. Some beaches (Goose Rocks and Long Sands among them) allow FIRES (conditions obliging), but town permits are a must. Who needs a pontoon boat when youre naturally buoyant? 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. Moderate use. Featured Attractions Such places have always threaded the needle between glamorous and honky-tonk, and so it is with OOB: in the interwar years, you wore a jacket to see Duke Ellington or Count Basie in the pier ballroom; these days, you wear a tank top to hear a musical comedian working blue at Hooligans. 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. Maine Moose watching trips offered daily! Plummer Point Rd., off Rte. 9. does not look like an American town at all in place or in architecture. The best things to do, great lodging, unique restaurants, and more. 207-371-2990. Southern Maine, a million miles from the daily grind, is only a short distance from you. Bass Harbor Island Cruises Shorebirds, waterfowl, otters, and even harbor seals abound. Dont show up without calling or going online to check out local parking regulations first. Lands End So why does Maine have so many sandy beaches down south? Thanks so much. Go before sunset, grab one of the tables on the harborside patio, sip a beer, and sigh contentedly as the sky turns red and streaky. 10 Snow Canning Rd., Scarborough. They will shed their antlers in November or December and grow new, larger antlers in the spring. , Livermore, P.O. 1447 Five Islands Rd., Georgetown. 80 Beach Ave., Kennebunk. .eb-image-left {float:left; margin:7px 14px 7px 0; width:45%; max-width:400px;} 40 Bowery Beach Rd., Cape Elizabeth. . Sandy, free parking, toilets. 8. 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). @media only screen and (min-width: 1200px){ 207-799-5871. maine.gov/crescentbeach. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-113315485', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Boston in July. Maine is one of the few states in the U.S. with a sizable moose population. $4 Maine residents, $6 non-residents. 77. Fall is when the impressive antlers of the bull moose are fully formed. The age class of harp seal we tend to see are the juveniles, who are around 12-14 months old . Try the house specialty, a none-too-sweet blueberry martini. .eb-p {float: right; width:70%; margin-left:2%;} All the potato donuts are tasty, but dont sleep on this summers customer-chosen flavor, honey lavender. In addition to two lab buildings that students use for marine and terrestrial studies visitors should be mindful of active research sites as they explore the property offers 3.6 miles of public trails that wind through spruce forests, meadows, and stands of hardwood en route to the jagged shoreline. The most important step members of the public can take to assist investigators is to immediately report any sightings of seals in distress or dead stranded seals. Any suggestions? It's hard enough to find them by going ten miles out to sea. Participants technically need a saltwater fishing license and are encouraged to bring their own rod and tackle (particularly hooks, sinkers, and bait) but Doc shows up with enough rods and reels for a crowd, plus a few buckets of mackerel. Thats enough to start their own moose lodge. Seals - Maine Forum - Tripadvisor Great Wass Island Preserve Kittery Inn and Suites. North from Perkins Cove to Beach St., with multiple access points along the way. Seafood Ketch Moderate use. For example, Mehlhorn says, people tend to overlook brown pieces of sea glass but hold it up to the light and what appears brown can truly be dark red. Call Doc at 207-384-5160 or visit parksandlands.com for more details. Light use. Easterseals Southern California. 207-497-3301. Back-door access to Goochs Beach from what is very likely Americas oldest hotel: an inn has occupied the spot since at least 1660. 207-236-3109. Camden Harbor Park and Amphitheatre 2 Western Ave. 207-967-3321. 207-244-7463. Located within Acadia National Park, the lighthouse is a favorite of photographers, who typically shoot from the rocky shore below. Portland 591 Shore Rd., Ogunquit. Tickets a la carte, $25$40. The institute also tends to a hatchery that produces soft-shell seed clams to replenish clamflats in Maine, New Hampshire, and Canada. View our Privacy Policy. 1945 Harpswell Islands Rd., Bailey Island. 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? Ogunquits 3-mile marquee attraction is the Platonic ideal of a New England beach, with sand as fine and soft as anyplace north of Daytona, beach grasses swaying on the dunes, and a vibrant (if sometimes crowded) scene on the sand. Take a book and a blanket and let the ocean breezes sweep your cares away. 207-497-5769. Seals Seals are the most commonly-seen marine mammals along the shores of Maine. This snug state park in Cape Elizabeth is really two beaches in one. When you look out on the Jonesport and Beals harbor, you see only working lobsterboats. 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. Join us on Adventure Seal Watch that you won't soon forget. NOAA Fisheries has listed 22 species of marine mammals under the ESA. Seaplane service throughout Maine & New England. Ogunquits paved, mile-and-a-quarter seaside footpath is a classic Maine stretch of the legs. 119 Cedar St. The low-pressure system will strengthen into a nor'easter as it moves away from Maine tomorrow. 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. National Marine Fisheries Service Law Enforcement division has established the following toll-free number for reporting potential violations: 1-800-853-1964. Box 633 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. 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. The stand goes through 250,000 pounds of potatoes a season. Spring is harbor seal pupping season in northern New England. Sucking down an ice cream cone while admiring Cape Neddicks Nubble Light has been a tradition since 1967, when a stand called Browns opened up at Nubble Point. $35$40 for 2-hour rentals. Where there are Maine beaches, there are estuaries, and southern Maines quiet, wildlife-rich tidal creeks reward exploration particularly for those who prefer protected waters to open-ocean paddling. A noreaster removed enough sand from the beach to uncover the wreck for the first time in modern memory. If you want to see a moose on your trip to coastalMaine, Acadia National Park is your best bet. 70 Rte. Get answers to your questions about Maine. 28 Ferry Beach Ferry Rd. Maine artists loom large: through the end of August, youll find the abstract landscapes of John Marin and the stylized portraits of Will Barnet. Light use. } Camden Hills State Park, 280 Belfast Rd., Camden. We're a non-profit and community-based organization dedicated to seabird conservation and preserving Maine's coast in hopes that we can preserve the habitats of Atlantic seabirds and other wildlife. Spring is harbor seal pupping season in northern New England. 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. 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. Our boat puts you up close and personal with all of what the ocean has to offer. You may even have the opportunity to see birds that dont normally visit the mainland. Hope it helps. Stroll to the top on the gently graded Carriage Trail or scramble up the steep Mt. In addition there is a squadron of returning Ospreys that fish aggressively there as well. Served with an orange slice, pineapple chunk, cherry, and a sprinkle of what witty servers will say is beach sand (its nutmeg). THERES A SHIPWRECK BURIED BENEATH YORKS SHORT SANDS BEACH. Started by a Mexican family who first came Down East to feed migrant wild-blueberry harvesters, Vazquez has the most authentic Mexican street food in the state: freshly made tortillas, beef tacos, chicken chimichangas, empanadas, and, sometimes, flan oh, man! Station Rd., Beals. (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 Stay off the GRASS! 105 Coveside Rd., South Bristol. Address: All rights reserved. 24 Hills Beach Rte. Southern Maines best kept secret! Dont leave logs on the beach or fires unattended. .eb-image-right {width:100%; max-width:400px;} Bowdoins environmental research station sits on 118 acres of varied terrain jutting into Harpswell Sound. , Greenville, Maine's Lakes and Mountains Birding Trail, Plan an East Coast Whale Watching Trip: Public & Private Viewing Coastal Cruises From May to October, Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Races, Finding Acadias Early Birds: A Special Maine Birding Excursion, 2023 Spring Birds of Acadia, with Puffin Cruise. I will be in Bar Harbor from 4 Oct thru 8 Oct. M.C. . 5. More than once, a bench has been washed out to sea by storms that can wreak havoc on the path. 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. Perkins Cove Isle au Haut, Isle Au Haut, ME, USA. , Greenville. Hello! 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. Kids will certainly dig it, and the surrounding placards and artifacts tell the story of the Maine granite used to build everything from Sing Sing prison to Rockefeller Center. TheTown of Ogunquithas been attracting visitors to Southern Maine for years. 50 Perkins Cove Rd., Ogunquit. Marine Wildlife - Acadia National Park (U.S. National Park Service) From $159. Light use. Moderate use. 4. Pebbly/sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, no facilities. The Strausses share stories about their community and the fishing way of life, and they stop to haul a lobster trap. Marginal Way That's about the best I can do with so little info. 207-729-5181. 39 Wildflower Ln., Beals. Like any wild animal, seals are where you find them, so no guarantees. 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. 17 Post Rd., Wells. 7 Little Beach Marginal Way, off Israel Head Rd. 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. The Port can only be found in the coast of Southern Maine; a distinctive coastal blend of food, shopping, and beaches combine with beautiful scenery and charming hotels and BnBs for a memorable visit. There were also hiking trails close by where we found wild blueberries. Edna St. Vincent Millay, Camden poet, Renascence, 1912. 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. Report inappropriate content 1-8 of 8 replies Sorted by 1 h0trudderedbum Phippsburg, Maine Level Contributor 351 posts 1. By following the directions at that number, your call will be directed to the appropriate responder. 207-563-1393. , Millinocket, PO Box 160 One hard-to-miss difference is that puffins can fly and penguins cant. It was amazing! This site uses cookies to offer you a better browsing experience. Shop Now. Infections are more likely. You dont see a mast. Saturday storm will cause major travel problems in southern Maine