Camdens one literary town. Sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, showers and toilets. 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. BYOB and snag a weathered picnic table at the end of the pier. 21 Timber Point Timber Point Rd. This summer, hell be at Sacos Ferry Beach on July 19, Cape Elizabeths Crescent Beach on July 26, and Fort McClary on September 23 (plus Reid, Popham Beach, and Wolfes Neck state parks, farther down the coast, in August). Learn more. Grab a towel and come with us. Harborside Cottages, nestled over small, working New Harbor, has been in business since 1950. Pebbly/sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, no facilities. Kayak Excursions SUP tours, 1 hours, $50. .eb-image-right {float:right; margin:7px 0 7px 14px; width:45%; max-width:400px;} Maple Hill Farm Inn and Conference Center. The result: a perfectly crisp coating that keeps clams from losing flavor to the fryer. 214 Nubble Rd. Explore Maine using our interactive map that features local businesses, guides, restaurants, lodging and more. Camden Hills State Park, 280 Belfast Rd., Camden. What a legacy Mary Louise Curtis Bok has given to the town of Camden! 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). Stroll to the top on the gently graded Carriage Trail or scramble up the steep Mt. During the summer season in the Southern Coast of Maine, you can overhear many visitors speaking English, French, various European languages, and even Jamaican. Answer 1 of 5: Is it possible to see Seals in October? If you want to see a moose on your trip to coastalMaine, Acadia National Park is your best bet. The best time for whale watching is mid-April to October. The shopping in the Old Port is fun at boutiques along cobblestone streets. Portland The pier was rebuilt every time, and its current, 600-foot incarnation dates to 1980. 207-644-8552. Our tribute to the eight port towns and peaceful coves we never tire of gazing at. 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. A high-energy, improv-heavy flute, cello, and drum trio. Seaplane service throughout Maine & New England. 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. Lands End Visit themainebeaches.com for more info and its never a bad idea to call the local town office with questions. Heavy use. The best time to spot sea glass, Mehlhorn says, is at sunset. . An award-winning saxophonist in the bebop and swing traditions. Moderate use. The southern and coastal regions are influenced by air masses from the south and west. Public ALCOHOL consumption is illegal statewide, including on beaches. 10 Snow Canning Rd., Scarborough. Several Maine State Park Campgrounds make good basecamps for regional moose watching. I'd drive either way. 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. Best Places To See Wildlife In Southern Maine Eastern Egg Rock No, that's not a penguin you're seeing. SMOKING (anything) is prohibited at state parks and by most town-run beaches. 20 Goose Rocks Beach Kings Hwy. Spanning 47,000 acres, Acadia offers more than 150 miles of hiking trails . Glass bottles are also a no-no, regardless of whats in them. I have taken small groups of tweens/teens to Boston and we've always stopped at the seal tank outside the aquarium to watch the seals swim and play. 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! Location In Maine, please call the Maine Marine Animal Reporting Hotline at (800) 532-9551. Youll experience one of Maines oldest lighthouses, including a trip to the top of the tower and a visit to the restored keeper's house. $65, plus lunch. Gray seals, Halichoerus gypus, are the largest seal found in the area, with males growing to 8 feet . The health risk posed by avian flu to the general public is low; however, precautions are recommended. Moderate use. 8 Western Ave, Kennebunk, ME 04043, USA 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. To aid her search in sand, Mehlhorn uses a sifter attached to a long handle. 9. } Take a book and a blanket and let the ocean breezes sweep your cares away. I have researched, but can't really find a clear answer. Channel your inner pirate at Schooner Miniature Golf, in Saco, where youll putt around (and aboard) a 75-foot windjammer. Copyright VisitMaine.Net 2022Images Courtesy Greg and Heather Burke unless otherwise noted. Theyll be back up again before you know it. Moderate use. The stand goes through 250,000 pounds of potatoes a season. Call Doc at 207-384-5160 or visit parksandlands.com for more details. Photographs: Michael D. Wilson (ice cream, punch, lobster roll, taffy, clams, beach glass); Mark Fleming (fries, donuts). Southern Maines best kept secret! Wave action also breaks down the bedrock alongside beaches, rolls stones until theyre smooth, and washes away mud and sand. Its a short paddle to Stevens Brook, behind Footbridge Beach, and a network of tiny tidal streams in the Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge. Photographed by Freddy Bloy. Pinnipeds. 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. Miles of surf and white sand, funky beach towns with a foot in yesteryear, pockets of unspoiled splendor (if you know where to look), and more oddball family attractions than you can shake a souvenir lobster-claw at. 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. , Livermore, P.O. Plummer Point Rd., off Rte. From $399. After watching and learning about the lighthouse, seabirds, and seals youll have a little fun with the boat in front of Kennebunk Beach. 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. THERES A SHIPWRECK BURIED BENEATH YORKS SHORT SANDS BEACH. Pick your own strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and even tomatoes at Spiller Farm in Wells. PO Box 773 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. Its cottages stud the nearby shore and forest. Tucked below the cliffs at about the midpoint, Little Beach is a pocket beach thats submerged at high tide. Maine has three well-defined climatic zones: central, southern interior, and northern. . $6 Maine residents, $8 non-residents. .page .content .inner { padding: 20px 10px 20px 20px; } Old Village Inn. Sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, toilets. Kennebunk Its a great place to spot wading birds and waterfowl and avoid people. Spring is harbor seal pupping season in northern New England. Races start at 10:30AM - registration accepted up to 1 hour before the race. 207-729-5181. 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. 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. 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. Located right along the coast, Portland has some of the best chefs inspired by Maine seafood and local farm raised food. 207-646-4909. 207-363-1277. , 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. Explore the tidewater on a paddling day trip. But the real draw, as far as were concerned, is the creamy and house-made frozen custard. Sandy, paid parking, concessions, showers and toilets. 17. Kittery Inn and Suites. .eb-button-wide { width:100%; } Moderate use. @media screen and (min-width: 410px) { 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. More than once, a bench has been washed out to sea by storms that can wreak havoc on the path. . New this summer: a breezy rooftop deck overlooking rocks and sea. 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). A brilliant display on a warm spring day. Robert F. Bukaty/Associated Press Ogunquits paved, mile-and-a-quarter seaside footpath is a classic Maine stretch of the legs. Atlantic Ave., Camden. The seals disperse when the baitfish run disappears, usually about the time the stripers start returning, ie early June or thereabouts. First, you need to understand glacial rebound. Theyre really not. 50 Perkins Cove Rd., Ogunquit. 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. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. No, thats not a penguin youre seeing. Alternatively, you may use. 15 Mothers Beach Beach Ave. Sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, toilets. Bass Harbor natives Kim and Eli Strauss offer passengers their insiders view of Mount Desert Islands hardest-working harbor. A gospel-tinged bluesy act with virtuosic pedal steel. Take a Hardy Boat Cruise, based in New Harbor, around the island, and watch these birds swim and romp in their natural habitat. Josephine Newman Audubon Sanctuary and the Berry Woods Preserve Tickets a la carte, $25$40. 1. Maine Map. .page .lead { padding: 0 60px 0 60px; } . 207-644-8300. Where is the best place to see seals in the wild. 14 Parsons Beach Rte. Ride a rollercoaster at Sacos Funtown Splashtown. To report seal strandings south of Maine, please call the NOAA Fisheries Stranding Hotline: (866) 755-6622. So what is a puffin? .eb-image-left {width:100%; max-width:400px;} 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). Great Wass Island Preserve Portland, ME 04101 The seals hauled up on the Cape are gray and harbor seals. The southern coasts best breaks are at Scarboroughs Higgins Beach, Yorks Long Sands Beach, and Wells Beach, and each has surf shops that offer rentals and lessons for newbies. You can see seals at the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Maines southern coast offers the American summer vacation at its beach-blanket best. 250 Main St., Ogunquit. Report inappropriate content 1-8 of 8 replies Sorted by 1 h0trudderedbum Phippsburg, Maine Level Contributor 351 posts 1. 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. 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. . The record served in a day is 923 punches thats with a three-drink limit on this potent stuff. With a box of chocolatepeanut butter in hand, stroll out on the rocks, have a seat, and indulge in the fudge and the view. Setting sail from Kennebunkport, First Chance offers whale watches of varying lengths and intensity aboard Nick's Chance, as well as lobster tours and educational tours of Maine's marine culture aboard Kylie's Chance. 9. The low-pressure system will strengthen into a nor'easter as it moves away from Maine tomorrow. 27 Pine Point Beach Rte. The Can-Am Crown is an international sled dog race with a 29-year history, held in Fort Kent, Maine. 22 Fortunes Rocks Beach Fortunes Rocks Rd. Maine has a wide . The puffins have already left their nesting areas. 30 Higgins Beach Ocean Ave. Sandy, paid parking, showers and toilets. We did the nature (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The vibe is rustic elegance, and the back patio overlooks the working harbor. 17 Post Rd., Wells. Wildlife watching in Maine presents a world of diversity and endless opportunities for discovery and recreation. 100 % of Cadillac Mountain Passes Sold 2 Days in Advance? At the southeastern end of Georgetown Island, a 10-minute drive from the harbor, two sandy beaches beckon. Unless youre in Maine and you know exactly when and where to look. Lets start with the Project Puffin Visitor Center in Rockland. Sitting right on the dock alongside Camden Harbor, Rhumb Line combines the carefree spirit of Jimmy Buffett with fresh, simply prepared Maine seafood and killer craftcocktails. 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. A visit tohistoric Yorkwill show you some of Southern Maines fascinating history including the oldest jail in the country at Old York. Mammals. Maines coastal islands are the only place in the U.S. where youll find nesting sites for Atlantic puffins. Acadia National Park. , Millinocket, PO Box 160 Light use. The captain will make every effort to take requests and will tailor the tour according to the weather. 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. .eb-image-right {width:100%; max-width:400px;} Bowdoin College Coastal Studies Center 24 Hills Beach Rte. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-57909508', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Portland. Some 40 percent of overnight guests more than 8 million people made a destination last year out of the sunny, seaside stretch that tourism types simply call The Maine Beaches. And who can blame 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). Is there a best time of day? 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). You'll visi You and the whole family are invited to exscape and relax in Maine's Aroostook County. And were not using the word massive lightly. .eb-col a { text-decoration: none; } 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. 7 Little Beach Marginal Way, off Israel Head Rd. Fresh flowers in each room, an exquisite restaurant, and complimentary bikes and canoes are a few of the perks From $348. 14. Expect to carry out your TRASH. Our boat puts you up close and personal with all of what the ocean has to offer. Perkins Cove Would it be worthwhile to do a kayak tour to see seals? 140 Ocean Ave., Kennebunkport. does not look like an American town at all in place or in architecture. When you cross the Maine, Read More 21 Best Things to Do in Kittery MaineContinue, The Perfect Family Beachfront Vacation York Beach is an idealMaine vacationspot for beach walks, kite flying, playing in the sand, visiting the famous Nubble, Read More Your Guide to Motels in York Beach MaineContinue, Wells is a well-loved vacation town in Maine. In addition to whales, a number of other marine creatures will be waiting to make your acquaintance seals and dolphins among them. 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. 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? 9. Books, Books, Books Well head over to Cape Porpoise Harbor and Bumpkin Island to enjoy the seals that call that area home. 4. Only 2 days for park - driving only, disabled, Looking for jacuzzi room in southern maine or coastal nh. Light use. 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. A noreaster removed enough sand from the beach to uncover the wreck for the first time in modern memory. Scout rocky, rather than sandy, beaches, since sea glass often ends up wedged in among the rocks. Later in the day its time to kick back with some me time on the rocks or rafting together on the water. 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. 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. From $179. 375 Seguinland Rd., Georgetown. HERES WHAT LITTLE WE KNOW ABOUT IT. 2391 Harpswell Islands Rd., Bailey Island. Their population is greatest in the Western Lakes and Mountains regions, the Kennebec Valley, the Maine Highlands, and Aroostook County. That's about the best I can do with so little info. .eb-thumbnail {width:25%;} Hit the Scoop Deck near Wells Beach to choose from among a whopping 72 flavors of ice cream. Voted #1 in New England by Yankee Magazine for the best chance of finding Moose! Due to its location along the Atlantic Flyway, Monhegan Islandis a particularly busy bird habitat during spring and fall. Afternoons are devoted to seal and bird watching around the entrance of Blue Hill Bay and Bass Harbor Head Light. 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. 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. 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. Many of the small islands off the coast of Maine are filled top to bottom with these charming little birds. 3 York Harbor Beach Rte. A good pair of binoculars is a great way to enjoy them while still giving them enough distance so as not to disturb them. @media screen and (min-width: 480px) { Kitterys Route 1 is filled with outlet stores of every kind imaginable and famous Kittery Trading Post. White Barn Inn. For better or for worse, the states beach-speckled southernmost 50 or so coastal miles are Maine for legions of summertime visitors. Some beaches (Goose Rocks and Long Sands among them) allow FIRES (conditions obliging), but town permits are a must. Get ready for some adventure because this tour has it all. If you show up during peak hours, expect to wait for a table but its worth it. 207-244-7600. 207-883-5100. Pat Lacey, Down East reader. 9 Thurston Rd., Bernard. Stay off the GRASS! Old Orchard Beachhosts oceanside lodgings and attractions including the famous Pier, oceanfront amusement parks, restaurants, shopping and a 7-mile beach sandy beach consistently ranked as Maines best beach by Maines largest newspaper. There were also hiking trails close by where we found wild blueberries. Battie Box 633 From $159. The huge kitsch clearinghouse at Lands End is worth visiting if only for the decadent homemade fudge. Address: 207-230-8495. For the best visibility, time your. Late founder Billy Tower concocted this fruity sipper, so popular that the Ogunquit institution mixes it up in 5-gallon batches. Light use. 207-497-5769. 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. This humble one-room museum on Stoningtons main drag is centered around a working model of one of the granite quarries that once operated on the surrounding islands basically, the most elaborate educational train set youve ever encountered.