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. Driving from NJ where to stop for a night, Boston to Acadia via the coast and White Mountains. 9. Getting pulled behind a speedboat is more relaxing than it sounds when youre drifting 1,200 feet above the waves. 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. Some beaches ban DOGS or mandate leashes, while others set aside hours (often early) when four-legged friends are welcome. Local officials have said that its typically buried beneath 6 or 7 feet of sand. Alternatively, you may use. This tour has it all Walkers Point, Seals, Cape Porpoise, Goat Island Lighthouse, and if time permits, Goose Rocks Beach. 207-367-2788. Puffins arent the only birds that Maine can boast. .eb-col img { width: 100%; } Pebbly, free (limited) parking, no facilities. Ogunquits paved, mile-and-a-quarter seaside footpath is a classic Maine stretch of the legs. Moderate use. Sandy, no parking (bike in is best), no facilities. It begins when migrating whales arrive in spring, hungry for action and the all-you-can-eat aqua buffet of sand eels, copepods, plankton, and fish. However, these actions usually do more harm than good. This is family-friendly educational activity at its finest and most massive. Maple Hill Farm Inn and Conference Center. Seals On Cape Cod Are More Than Just Shark Bait - WBUR Thanks so much. 15 Mothers Beach Beach Ave. Sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, toilets. Afternoons are devoted to seal and bird watching around the entrance of Blue Hill Bay and Bass Harbor Head Light. . 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). Ogunquit Museum of American Art Pebbly/sandy, paid parking, toilets. What not to do on the southern Maine seashore. A no-frills lobster shack paragon, it offers cold beer, rich chowders, fresh seafood, and a small deck overlooking the water. 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. 29 Eastern Ave. 207-282-1642. 1 Bypass, Kittery. 207-967-4243. gokennebunks.com Crescent Beach State Park Magic hour at Crescent Beach. 2. Any suggestions? It's hard enough to find them by going ten miles out to sea. There were lots of gulls and a few bald eagles as well. It is very unusual to see whales from shore. 20 Goose Rocks Beach Kings Hwy. A huge population of migrating birds makes Maine one of the best places to see wildlife if youre a bird enthusiast. Address: Christi / Flickr. Inland cottage resorts feature either traditional cottages or gatherings of rustic cabins. 1. Visit themainebeaches.com for more info and its never a bad idea to call the local town office with questions. See if you can spot the differences between these whale species. 80 Beach Ave., Kennebunk. Whale watching in Maine is kind of a big deal. The island is teeming with thousands of birds. Box 633 Check out the National Park Service for more information. 40 Bowery Beach Rd., Cape Elizabeth. 12 West Side Rd., South Bristol. 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. Old Village Inn. .eb-thumbnail { width: 99%; } The record served in a day is 923 punches thats with a three-drink limit on this potent stuff. 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. Pinnipeds. Featured Attractions I appreciate your time. .eb-col a { text-decoration: none; } 207-371-2303. Tours in July and August. A few best bets for paddling day trips: Harbor Adventures leads kayakers on a half-day lobster luncheon paddle that takes in Fort Foster and heads up shady Chauncey Creek, with a lunch stop at a lobster pound. Heavy use. Hello! Join us today! 207-729-5181. 37 Beach Ave., Kennebunk. Hollis Burgess, writing in The Rudder magazine, 1917. 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. Maine Quest Adventures is a locally owned and operated Katahdin Region Outfitter. Light use. Call Doc at 207-384-5160 or visit parksandlands.com for more details. Schoodic Institutes Seth Benz will lead this special bird tour designed to enhance your enjoyment o Register today for Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park's first Bird Tour of 2023! Neither the tower nor keepers house is open to the public, but the views are spectacular. The low-pressure system will strengthen into a nor'easter as it moves away from Maine tomorrow. Sandy, paid parking, concessions, showers and toilets. Very cool! The process for seal pups to learn to be on their own, away from their mother can be exhausting. Fresh flowers in each room, an exquisite restaurant, and complimentary bikes and canoes are a few of the perks From $348. Head to the shore and keep an eye out for adorable harbor seal pups or spot the majestic bald eagle as you kayak in Frenchman Bay. You get all this while enjoying your own personal front-row seat! To report any stranded marine mammal, or if a seal appears to be abandoned, appears on a crowded beach, or shows signs of illness or injury, notify the Maine Marine Animal Reporting Hotline, 1-800-532-9551. , 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. Admire the endangered birds from a distance, stay out of signed restricted areas, and fill any beach holes (since chicks can tumble in). 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. Visit historic Wood Island Lighthouse! Moderate use. Lands End It's a storm with major impacts for southern Maine, with an estimated snowfall rate of 1 inch . The center is the landing spot for Project Puffin, an ongoing partnership of the Audubon Society, local businesses and private donors to bring puffins and other rare birds back to their historic nesting grounds. Planning a trip with the kids and dont want to leave spotting a moose to chance? @media screen and (min-width: 480px) { If you love seals, beautiful scenery, or just want to be on the ocean, this is the tour for you! Its the number one landmark on Mount Desert Islands Quiet Side, so you cant skip this one! Immerse yourselves in the history and lore, that include rescues, heroism, Sailor the bell ringing dog, even an 1896 murder/suicide. Visitors can view a live camera feed of puffin activity and learn about conservation efforts to protect puffins and other seabirds of Maine. Gray seals, Halichoerus gypus, are the largest seal found in the area, with males growing to 8 feet . 10 Snow Canning Rd., Scarborough. Where is the best place to see seals in the wild. Unless youre in Maine and you know exactly when and where to look. }, Moose | Whales | Puffins | Birds | Wildlife Parks & Refuges. I have researched, but can't really find a clear answer. } You can share 5 more gift articles this month.. 207-371-2990. While a big animal, the harbor seal is only about half the size of the gray seal, the . Maine is a destination for birdwatchers during all four seasons. 14. Frye Island is the only island on this list that is not off the coast of Maine. Thats why you can find pink-granite stones in spots where the local granite outcrops are all gray, says Jon Dykstra, a retired geologist on the board of the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust. 3 York Harbor Beach Rte. Two-hour tours leave from Vines Landing, Biddeford Pool aboard the Light Runner. Edna St. Vincent Millay, Camden poet, Renascence, 1912. 9. Wave action also breaks down the bedrock alongside beaches, rolls stones until theyre smooth, and washes away mud and sand. A third-generation, family-owned business, Huot Seafood Restaurant in Sacos beachside village of Camp Ellis still uses Doris Huots batter Five Islands Lobster Company Spring is harbor seal pupping season in northern New England. No, thats not a penguin youre seeing. 207-244-5785. At the southeastern end of Georgetown Island, a 10-minute drive from the harbor, two sandy beaches beckon. To aid her search in sand, Mehlhorn uses a sifter attached to a long handle. Sandy, paid parking, concessions, lifeguards, toilets. Dont bring Fido without checking. If you need more adrenaline, theyll kill the engine and let you parachute into the drink. . On Sundays, hit up the Kittery Community Market for picnic supplies, live music, and a kids corner with art and science projects. Mt. 39 Wildflower Ln., Beals. 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. more. Maine has three well-defined climatic zones: central, southern interior, and northern. 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. PO Box 773 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. Acadia National Park,a couple hours north of Portland, Maine,is one of the best places to see wildlife in Maine for many reasons other than moose. Seal Watching in Kennebunkport, Maine | New England EcoAdventures 38 Main St., Milbridge. Explore the tidewater on a paddling day trip. 591 Shore Rd., Ogunquit. 6 Cape Neddick Beach Shore Rd. Isle au Haut, Isle Au Haut, ME, USA. Linking Perkins Cove to Ogunquit Beach, themile-and-a-quarter paved walkway traces its origins to 1925. Answer 1 of 5: Is it possible to see Seals in October? The health risk posed by avian flu to the general public is low; however, precautions are recommended. 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. I will be in Bar Harbor from 4 Oct thru 8 Oct. We did the nature (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Address: A gospel-tinged bluesy act with virtuosic pedal steel. Been ahotel on this spot since 1872, but generations of modernization and expansion have rendered it quite contemporary. . Morses Cribstone Grill .eb-thumbnail {width:30%;} Grab a towel and come with us. 31 Crescent Beach State Park Rte. Spring is harbor seal pupping season in northern New England. Maines coastal islands are the only place in the U.S. where youll find nesting sites for Atlantic puffins. This does not include mammals, such as seals and whales, that must live in ocean environments or domestic mammals like cattle, dogs, and people. Not a hiker? Dawn breaks over Five Islands Harbor, in Georgetown. 9. Theyre really not. 207-833-7775. New this summer: a breezy rooftop deck overlooking rocks and sea. 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. 5 Short Sands Beach Ocean Ave. Sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, showers and toilets. .eb-image-left {float:left; margin:7px 14px 7px 0; width:45%; max-width:400px;} Miles ofsandy beaches check, amusement parks , Read More Guide to Wells Maine Condominium ResortsContinue, Your email address will not be published. FAST FACTS ABOUT OGUNQUIT'S MARGINAL WAY, MAINE'S MOST BELOVED SHORELINE STROLL. 17. 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. 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). And if you're into loons, in July 2015, Maine Audubon Society volunteers counted more than 3,000 loons on 300 lakes and ponds the largest population of common loons in the US after Minnesota and Wisconsin. . Whales can be seen up and down Maines coastline, but are best viewed by booking a whale watching boat tour. 1447 Five Islands Rd., Georgetown. Follow the crowds to the Original Pier French Fries stand near the Old Orchard Beach pier, where daily shipments of New England potatoes are delivered whole, then washed, peeled, crinkle-cut by hand, and fried golden brown (but soft inside). 1. 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. Explore Boon Island Lighthouse and Nubble Lighthouse on this tour that cruises up the coastline. 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. Travelers from all over the world flock to the Southern Maine coast for the ideal summer vacation. Sandy, free (limited) parking, lifeguards, showers and toilets. Expect to carry out your TRASH. Do you like visiting historical places where history comes alive? 12 Old Orchard St. 207-934-2328. 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. Theres an independent spirit that comes along with that, and its fundamental to the culture of the town. Southern Maine, a million miles from the daily grind, is only a short distance from you. Due to its location along the Atlantic Flyway, Monhegan Islandis a particularly busy bird habitat during spring and fall. 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. At the right time of year, you can spot as many as twenty moose in one outing. 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. Cottage Resorts - Visit Maine 8. Creature Feature: Harbor Seal - Natural Resources Council Of Maine 50 Perkins Cove Rd., Ogunquit. , Millinocket, 59 Morrill Rd .page .lead {padding: 0 110px 0 110px;} Mammals. 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. 207-371-2616, Every year, I return to this spot. Well head over to Cape Porpoise Harbor and Bumpkin Island to enjoy the seals that call that area home. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Give this Article . 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). 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. One hard-to-miss difference is that puffins can fly and penguins cant. 12 Little Island Way, Bass Harbor. Artists renditions of the coast can be seen in the many galleries and art museums in town. Ive been lucky enough to experience the magic of the cove since childhood. 127 in Georgetown, 500 feet east from where it crosses the Sasanoa River. Home to rare plants like beach-head iris and birds-eye primrose, the islands managed by The Nature Conservancy. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-113315485', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Boston in July. PO Box 171 Ambajejus Lake But the real draw, as far as were concerned, is the creamy and house-made frozen custard. 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. 207-730-1926. Old Village Inn. National Marine Fisheries Service Law Enforcement division has established the following toll-free number for reporting potential violations: 1-800-853-1964. .eb-button-wide { width:400px; } Designed by renowned landscape architect Fletcher Steele, the Amphitheatre, with its terraced stone seating, lush trees and lawn, and view of Camden Harbor, is well used by the town for concerts, weddings, graduation ceremonies, craft fairs, and just hanging around. You name, it you can enjoy it in Wells. 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. 17 Post Rd., Wells. For the best visibility, time your. Access the island viaferry from Port Clyde, New Harbor, or Boothbay Harbor. 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. If so,where would a good area be? Lets start with the Project Puffin Visitor Center in Rockland. Sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, showers and toilets. 14 Parsons Beach Rte. PO Box 171 Ambajejus Lake Mammals: Species Information: Wildlife: Fish & Wildlife: Maine Dept of 207-236-3109. Wildlife watching in Maine presents a world of diversity and endless opportunities for discovery and recreation. Carson was author of Silent Spring and a Maine Summer resident. 9 Footbridge Beach Ocean St. Sandy, paid parking, concessions, lifeguards, toilets. , Millinocket, PO Box 160 Moderate use. 2. So why does Maine have so many sandy beaches down south? Palace Playland - Proudly Maine's beachfront amusement park. Plummer Point Preserve 16. Blue 207-729-5181. 32 Kettle Cove Kettle Cove Rd. 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. Plus, theres room to roam. Rangeley Lake State Park, Mount Blue State Park, Lily Bay State Park, and Peaks-Kenny State Park are all campground parks located in or near parts of Maine with ample moose-watching opportunities. Served with an orange slice, pineapple chunk, cherry, and a sprinkle of what witty servers will say is beach sand (its nutmeg). , Livermore. In all, Maine has 58 species of wild mammals that currently live within its borders. Seals can sometimes be seen but they like to sun and rest on the more isolated islands. 12 Wells Beach Mile Rd. Down south, though, glacial rebound has been more subdued these last couple thousand years. Where to kayak, see seals, forage for mussels and blueberrie - Maine 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. The southern and coastal regions are influenced by air masses from the south and west. NOAA Fisheries has listed 22 species of marine mammals under the ESA. These little-visited, adjoining parcels are protected, respectively, by the Maine Audubon Society and the Nature Conservancy. Thirty-nine benches face the ocean, each with a sponsorship plaque that sold for $5,000 to fund trail maintenance which is necessary. Public ALCOHOL consumption is illegal statewide, including on beaches. 208. 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. Beach ecosystems are fragile, and visitors should never walk across vegetated areas. 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. From $145. Saturday storm will cause major travel problems in southern Maine Best Places To See Wildlife In Southern Maine Eastern Egg Rock No, that's not a penguin you're seeing. First, you need to understand glacial rebound. Bass Harbor is almost exclusively a working harbor its all lobsterboats and fishing boats and nearly all the small businesses in town are fishermen. Light use. To report seal strandings south of Maine, please call the NOAA Fisheries Stranding Hotline: (866) 755-6622. The shopping in the Old Port is fun at boutiques along cobblestone streets. "Seal Island" (don't let the name fool you) is the only island you can actually land on and observe puffins from behind blinds. Only 2 days for park - driving only, disabled, Looking for jacuzzi room in southern maine or coastal nh. $6 Maine residents, $8 non-residents. Bass Harbor Head Light Every time it happens. Sandy, free (limited) parking, no facilities. 240 Bayview Rd., Orrs Island. Sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, showers and toilets. 4. Maine | History, Facts, Map, & Points of Interest | Britannica Visit Katahdin Air. 9. More than once, a bench has been washed out to sea by storms that can wreak havoc on the path. Take a Hardy Boat Cruise, based in New Harbor, around the island, and watch these birds swim and romp in their natural habitat. Barnacle Billys Downeast Institute for Applied Marine Research and Education 4 Long Sands Beach Long Beach Ave. Sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, toilets. Vazquez Mexican Food Getting to know the seals of the Maine coast 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. What to do, and NOT to do, if you find a beached seal 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. 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. The seals disperse when the baitfish run disappears, usually about the time the stripers start returning, ie early June or thereabouts. 16 Middle Beach Beach Ave. Pebbly, paid (limited) parking, no facilities. From $159. Sandy/pebbly, paid parking, no facilities. @media screen and (min-width: 410px) { 11 Crescent Beach Gold Ribbon Dr. Pebbly/sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, toilets. .eb-image-left {width:100%; max-width:400px;} 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. 207-646-7088. Like any wild animal, seals are where you find them, so no guarantees. 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. Another itinerary question-Moosehead Lake? 29 Scarborough Beach State Park Black Point Rd. I'd drive either way. Join us on Adventure Seal Watch that you wont soon forget. 13. If you do a search for puffin images you may, like a lot of folks, imagine puffins are related to penguins. 18 Colony Beach Ocean Ave. Pebbly/sandy, free parking, no facilities. Kennebunk andKennebunkportattract the famous each summer includingformer President George Bush and his family. The Colony Hotel. While all of Maines wildlife is spectacular, nothing quite compares to the whale. Crescent Beach itself is a mile-long half-moon scattered with skipping stones and ringed with beach roses. THE GEOMETRIC confusion of silhouetted rooflines, a sunrise or sunset streaking the backdrop orange and pink, the spring tide surging through the spindly forest of pilings: you can keep your Portland Head Light for our money, the Old Orchard Beach pier is the states most compelling man-made landmark. Any help would be appreciated. Moderate use. However, with so many beautiful beaches and charming towns in southern Maine, many visitors miss the opportunity to track down these animals. Across the street is Camden Harbor Park, designed by the Olmsted Brothers. , Millinocket.