has seven rooms with a B&B vibe and a cozy British-style pub. Get outside on your next vacation, and visitsome of the best places to see wildlife in southern Maine. Get answers to your questions about Maine. 24 Hills Beach Rte. 2 Western Ave. 207-967-3321. Moderate use. Peek over marine scientists shoulders as they research lobsters, mussels, scallops, and other shellfish. Plenty of outfitters offer kayak or stand-up paddleboard rentals and tours. Maine is the only place in the United States where you can see puffins in the wild. @media screen and (min-width: 480px) { $35$40 for 2-hour rentals. 207-967-4243. gokennebunks.com, This snug state park in Cape Elizabeth is really two beaches in one. There are definitely seals at the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 100 % of Cadillac Mountain Passes Sold 2 Days in Advance? So what is a puffin? About half that is along the water itself, running parallel to muddy flats and steep, short cliffs. 207-244-7463. On the way out, Kettle Cove Creamery and Caf is a stone-cold classic for cones and lobster rolls. By continuing to navigate through this site or by clicking Approve, you consent to the use of cookies on your device as described in our privacy notice. Inn by the Sea. Yes, Virginia, there is surfing in Maine. Visit the Easterseals Store. If you love whales, this is your chance to see these incredibly intelligent mammals up close! Maines Holy Donut micro-chain has a Scarborough outpost a few miles from the towns best beaches. Later in the day its time to kick back with some me time on the rocks or rafting together on the water. 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. North from Perkins Cove to Beach St., with multiple access points along the way. The low-pressure system will strengthen into a nor'easter as it moves away from Maine tomorrow. Atlantic Ave., Camden. .page .content .inner { padding: 20px 10px 20px 20px; } My family and I will be visiting Acadia and (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? PO Box 773 80 Beach Ave., Kennebunk. During the summer season in the Southern Coast of Maine, you can overhear many visitors speaking English, French, various European languages, and even Jamaican. Palace Playland - Proudly Maine's beachfront amusement park. Sandy, paid parking, concessions, showers and toilets. 14. Some beaches (Goose Rocks and Long Sands among them) allow FIRES (conditions obliging), but town permits are a must. The most dramatic finding was in Saco, where there was a report of a dead seal on the beach early Monday morning. Keep an eye out for fieldstone walls still running throughout the area reminders of the lands agricultural past and enjoy a quiet stretch of coastline that, more often than not, youll have all to yourself. Sandy, free (limited) parking, lifeguards, showers and toilets. A good pair of binoculars is a great way to enjoy them while still giving them enough distance so as not to disturb them. Heavy use. 12. Barnacle Billys From $189. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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. Sea Kayaks were originally invented by arctic peoples such as the Greenland Inuit for seal hunting, and these quiet, sea worthy crafts give you an up close, seals eye view of the world. Thank you! Multiple species visit the state's waters, including humpback, finback, minke and pilot. .eb-image-left {float:left; margin:7px 14px 7px 0; width:45%; max-width:400px;} 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. The shopping in the Old Port is fun at boutiques along cobblestone streets. Seals are swimming around the harbor. You get all this while enjoying your own personal front-row seat! Pebbly/sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, no facilities. 207-563-1393. Heavy use. Join us on Adventure Seal Watch that you won't soon forget. Its one of those rites of passage youd have to be a moose to fully appreciate. From $145. Light use. Its the number one landmark on Mount Desert Islands Quiet Side, so you cant skip this one! Scout rocky, rather than sandy, beaches, since sea glass often ends up wedged in among the rocks. 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. Sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, toilets. Mammals are the class of animals that have fur or hair and produce milk for their young. 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.. Whale watching in Maine is kind of a big deal. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. 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. Moderate use. Maines southern coast offers the American summer vacation at its beach-blanket best. By following the directions at that number, your call will be directed to the appropriate responder. Coveside Built in 1883, the downtown inn, a half-mile from Ogunquit Beach, Down south, though, glacial rebound has been more subdued these last couple thousand years. 9. Youll need a wet suit (because brrrr), and the steep swells can be elusive, but Maines surfing community is passionate and welcoming. It books up fast. Southern Maines best kept secret! 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. Downeast Institute for Applied Marine Research and Education Peek over marine scientists' shoulders as they research lobsters, mussels, scallops, and other shellfish. Planning a trip with the kids and dont want to leave spotting a moose to chance? 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. In southern Maine, no place is better than Eastern Egg Rock for spotting the puffin. 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. In Maine, please call the Maine Marine Animal Reporting Hotline at (800) 532-9551. If you need more adrenaline, theyll kill the engine and let you parachute into the drink. 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. Grab a towel and come with us. Rmew / Flickr. , 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 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. I was at Kettle Cove in Cape Elizabeth yesterday and there were seals right off the point in front of where I was sitting. Boat traffic is minimal, and sightings of bald eagles, ospreys, and other raptors are common. Where is the best place to see seals in the wild. Beach ecosystems are fragile, and visitors should never walk across vegetated areas. The age class of harp seal we tend to see are the juveniles, who are around 12-14 months old . (207) 502-8040, 8 Western Ave. inside Coastal Maine Kayak and Bike. Dawn breaks over Five Islands Harbor, in Georgetown. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Christi / Flickr. 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. 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. Aragosta Union Bluff Hotel. From $159. 32 Kettle Cove Kettle Cove Rd. There were lots of gulls and a few bald eagles as well. Baxter State Park and Lazy Tom Bog are great places to begin your search. 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. With over 1700 species of animals in the park, youre almost guaranteed to have an encounter with nature. 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? Tickets a la carte, $25$40. From $399. 543 Shore Rd., Ogunquit. Light use. 7. TheTown of Ogunquithas been attracting visitors to Southern Maine for years. With a box of chocolatepeanut butter in hand, stroll out on the rocks, have a seat, and indulge in the fudge and the view. 26 Old Orchard Beach Rte. Maine has a wide . Sandy, free (limited) parking, no facilities. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. The best time to spot sea glass, Mehlhorn says, is at sunset. This is our most adventurous tour and has something to offer for everyone! Battie Road. 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 . Light use. Get free ice cream with your kids meals at Kens Place, a locally beloved, counter-service seafood joint near Scarboroughs Pine Point Beach. 103. .eb-col img { width: 100%; } Bayview Takeout Kittery Inn and Suites. 207-244-7600. 17 Goochs Beach Beach Ave. Sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, toilets. The record served in a day is 923 punches thats with a three-drink limit on this potent stuff. Where should we go to see whales, seals, puffins without a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Fresh flowers in each room, an exquisite restaurant, and complimentary bikes and canoes are a few of the perks From $348. View our other locations. Dont disturb piping plover or least tern HABITAT. 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! Theyre really not. Maines Birding Trail highlights the best spots to watch feathered friends of all types. 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. Hours and hours of walking here, and probably hundreds of photos. Station Rd., Beals. 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. 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? Linking Perkins Cove to Ogunquit Beach, themile-and-a-quarter paved walkway traces its origins to 1925. Portland, ME 04101 12 Wells Beach Mile Rd. Bass Harbor Island Cruises 8. Sandy, free parking, toilets. Light use. First, you need to understand glacial rebound. Steller sea lions also occur on the West Coast, but the eastern . Their population is greatest in the Western Lakes and Mountains regions, the Kennebec Valley, the Maine Highlands, and Aroostook County. 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.. Bass Harbor Head Light 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 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. Storms periodically revealed the wreck for brief periods, about every 10 years. 27 Pine Point Beach Rte. From Kittery to Old Orchard Beach, the Southern Maine Coast is the perfect vacation getaway. Its houses are layered down to the calm water of the bay. In Thurstons screened dining room, you see lobsterboats coming and going, some of them unloading their catch on the wharf just below your perch. 9. For better or for worse, the states beach-speckled southernmost 50 or so coastal miles are Maine for legions of summertime visitors. So why does Maine have so many sandy beaches down south? Isle au Haut, Isle Au Haut, ME, USA. Heavy use. 207-729-5181. Since many moose tip the scales at 1,000 pounds or more, with antlers spanning six feet, its no wonder making visual contact with a Maine moose is a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife viewing experience. 214 Nubble Rd. Seals Seals are the most commonly-seen marine mammals along the shores of Maine. When you look out on the Jonesport and Beals harbor, you see only working lobsterboats. The huge kitsch clearinghouse at Lands End is worth visiting if only for the decadent homemade fudge. Moderate use. Ogunquits paved, mile-and-a-quarter seaside footpath is a classic Maine stretch of the legs. 9. This does not include mammals, such as seals and whales, that must live in ocean environments or domestic mammals like cattle, dogs, and people. Our Programs. It is illegal under the Marine Mammal Protection Act to handle these animals.