12 Wells Beach Mile Rd. 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). Catch the weekly Thursday night fireworks at Old Orchard Beach. 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. Taffy technicians have been stretching masses of boiled sugar at the Goldenrod, in York Beach, since 1896 today, passersby watch through the windows as mechanical pulling machines do their thing. Cape Cod Seals | Center for Coastal Studies 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. Hit the Scoop Deck near Wells Beach to choose from among a whopping 72 flavors of ice cream. @media only screen and (min-width: 1024px){ 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. 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. Moderate use. Box 633 } 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. 240 Bayview Rd., Orrs Island. 13. Light use. Yes, Virginia, there is surfing in Maine. An Ogunquit landmark since 1961, Billys is where you go for boiled lobsters and steamers if youre tying up in Perkins Cove. 207-236-3109. Expect to carry out your TRASH. 17 Post Rd., Wells. 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. Bass Harbor Head Light The National Marine Fisheries Service recommend that any stranded animal be left alone. Park at Josephine Newman Audubon Sanctuary, off Rte. 59 Sea St., Camden. All rights reserved. Maine is one of the few states in the U.S. with a sizable moose population. Sandy, paid parking, concessions, lifeguards, toilets. 207-799-3134. Scout rocky, rather than sandy, beaches, since sea glass often ends up wedged in among the rocks. 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. 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. 207-230-8495. Address: Heavy use. Sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, toilets. Heavy use. FAST FACTS ABOUT OGUNQUIT'S MARGINAL WAY, MAINE'S MOST BELOVED SHORELINE STROLL. Including approximately 5,000 pairs of puffins, 1,000 pairs of razorback auks and 500 pairs of common murres. .eb-linked-heading {border:none; text-decoration:none; color:inherit;} 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. Seals like to "haul out" to rest, sun themselves on rocky ledges or rocky shorelines on islands. Reid State Park Box 633 The dusky glare helps hunters distinguish darker colors against rocks. The trip departs daily at 5:30pm, and trips end in late August. , Greenville. 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. $65, plus lunch. Portland, ME 04101 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. 27 Main St., Stonington. 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. 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. Places to Go in Maine - Maine's Prettiest Harbors - Down East Magazine Thats enough to start their own moose lodge. Hello! Kennebunk andKennebunkportattract the famous each summer includingformer President George Bush and his family. Your email address will not be published. PO Box 171 Ambajejus Lake 3 York Harbor Beach Rte. Sandy, paid (limited) parking, no facilities. 207-646-5575. At the right time of year, you can spot as many as twenty moose in one outing. 207-244-7463. Seaside Inn. 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. 12. Atlantic Ave., Camden. Channel your inner pirate at Schooner Miniature Golf, in Saco, where youll putt around (and aboard) a 75-foot windjammer. 207-967-4461. Join us on Adventure Seal Watch that you won't soon forget. P.O. Then, you can catch a puffin tour boat from Mt. Thurstons Lobster Pound These little-visited, adjoining parcels are protected, respectively, by the Maine Audubon Society and the Nature Conservancy. In 2007, archaeologists measured the hull and took samples of the wood. Easterseals Southern California | Augmentative & Alternative 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. (Vaping, if not banned, is still obnoxious.). Barnacle Billys Bird Flu May Have Caused Seal Strandings in Maine - The New York Times Seals Seals are the most commonly-seen marine mammals along the shores of Maine. 207-729-5181. 15. Driving from NJ where to stop for a night, Boston to Acadia via the coast and White Mountains. } Required fields are marked *. Maine has a wide . 1. A noreaster removed enough sand from the beach to uncover the wreck for the first time in modern memory. Take the Mt. Heavy use. Beach ecosystems are fragile, and visitors should never walk across vegetated areas. With a box of chocolatepeanut butter in hand, stroll out on the rocks, have a seat, and indulge in the fudge and the view. 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. Fall is when the impressive antlers of the bull moose are fully formed. , 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. The cliffs rise nearly 50 feet in spots, and the waves can put on a show. 37 Beach Ave., Kennebunk. National Marine Fisheries Service Law Enforcement division has established the following toll-free number for reporting potential violations: 1-800-853-1964. The captain will make every effort to take requests and will tailor the tour according to the weather. This wildlife conservation center in Gray holds a special place in the hearts of those whove been there. Tours in July and August. Is there a best time of day? 10 North Beach Ocean Ave. Sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, toilets. Explore gentle wooded trails at Kennebunkports lovely Edwin L. Smith Preserve. If you love whales, this is your chance to see these incredibly intelligent mammals up close! Easterseals Southern California. 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. It is not unusual for a seal pup to be left alone on the beach by its mother for up to 24 hours. Old Village Inn. Meeting location: 8 Western Ave. inside Coastal Maine Kayak and Bike. 214 Nubble Rd. 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? Our Programs. Eli Strauss, owner of Bass Harbor Island Cruises. 111 Perkins Cove Rd., Ogunquit. 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. Southern Maine, a million miles from the daily grind, is only a short distance from you. A gospel-tinged bluesy act with virtuosic pedal steel. Make faces at the monkeys (not the white tiger) at Yorks Wild Kingdom. Dont disturb piping plover or least tern HABITAT. 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. It is against the law to handle a marine mammal without proper authorization, and their sharp (dog-like) teeth can be very dangerous. Little Coveside might have the finest deck dining in the state, overlooking the harbors gnarly little outcrop islands and often hosting some al fresco troubadour. Where to kayak, see seals, forage for mussels and blueberrie - Maine .page .lead { padding: 0 60px 0 60px; } Colonial or post-colonial shipbuilders launched the vessel either a sloop or a schooner, probably about 60 feet long, judging from the hull fragment thats left on the beach. This amusement park hosts an expansive arcade, Kiddieland, & Galaxy Coaster and carousel as well as Fireworks every Thusday night by the Pier. Explore Boon Island Lighthouse and Nubble Lighthouse on this tour that cruises up the coastline. 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. Humpbacks and minkes are the whales most often spotted, but blue whales and right whales make occasional appearances as well. The ship skeleton made its most recent and most publicized appearance, following one of the winter storms the media dubbed a bomb cyclone.. Share your pride in Easterseals with branded products from the Easterseals store. While a big animal, the harbor seal is only about half the size of the gray seal, the . Kennebunk Races start at 10:30AM - registration accepted up to 1 hour before the race. 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! The health risk posed by avian flu to the general public is low; however, precautions are recommended. These are the most vital elements for our health and wellbeing our need for them, Read More Amazing Waterfront Restaurants in MaineContinue, If you ask a local in Kennebunk or Kennebunkport, whats the best way to see this coastal village, theyll tell you to get on, Read More Locals Guide to the Best Kennebunkport Boat ToursContinue, If youre looking for things to do in Kittery Maine, we have the top places to visit right here! 9 Thurston Rd., Bernard. Plus, theres always some Maine-y blueberry variation blueberry coffee cake, blueberry with lemon glaze, blueberry maple bacon. PO Box 171 Ambajejus Lake This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Shorebirds, waterfowl, otters, and even harbor seals abound. 2 Western Ave. 207-967-3321. Machias Seal Island is a bit out of the way and youll need to book a guided tour to get there, but if youre a committed puffin fan, the effort will justify the experience. 17. 207-967-4243. gokennebunks.com, This snug state park in Cape Elizabeth is really two beaches in one. 40 Bowery Beach Rd., Cape Elizabeth. The record served in a day is 923 punches thats with a three-drink limit on this potent stuff. 5 Short Sands Beach Ocean Ave. Sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, showers and toilets. 12 Little Island Way, Bass Harbor. Best Places To See Wildlife in Southern Maine, A Dunes Day Trip: Things to Do in Kennebunkport, Maine, 4 Different Kinds of Things to Do in Maine in the Winter . Tickets a la carte, $25$40. Its pricey, but so picturesque. Inn by the Sea. Guide to Southern Maine Beaches - Down East Magazine Things To Do On The Southern Maine Coast Region - VisitMaine.Net Heavy use. Where should we go to see whales, seals, puffins without a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 129, 2 miles north of the South Bristol drawbridge. 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. Rocky jetties, pounding surf, the smell of salt water, and beach roses galore oh, and also terrific people watching. From the majestic moose to the huge humpback, Maine has long been known for its vast and unique wildlife. Seals On Cape Cod Are More Than Just Shark Bait - WBUR Maines southern coast offers the American summer vacation at its beach-blanket best. @media only screen and (min-width: 1200px){ 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. } 9. Give this Article . 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. 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. 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. Tucked below the cliffs at about the midpoint, Little Beach is a pocket beach thats submerged at high tide. 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. While all of Maines wildlife is spectacular, nothing quite compares to the whale. Seal Island (dont let the name fool you) is the only island you can actually land on and observe puffins from behind blinds. You name, it you can enjoy it in Wells. The refuge is located along 50 miles of Maines picturesque coastline in York and Cumberland counties. When the tides out, tidepoolers mingle with surfers and plein-air painters. 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. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-57646747', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Bar Harbor and another on the Cape. Grab a towel and come with us. 207-439-9324. 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. 207-799-5871. maine.gov/crescentbeach. has seven rooms with a B&B vibe and a cozy British-style pub. Best Places To See Wildlife In Southern Maine Eastern Egg Rock No, that's not a penguin you're seeing.