Maine 3 Day Kayak Adventure: Explore Wild Islands

Need to get away from the daily grind.   Would you like to communicate better with your teen?   How about a three day journey with sun, tides, water and wind.   Whether you bring your spouse, your child (over 4’8 inches) or a good friend, I can’t imagine a better adventure for this summer.   This article is about two ideas, taking a 3 day trip with a registered Maine guide or creating your own 3 day trip for those who own their own kayak and envision a personal excursion among the ocean islands of Maine.   There is no better way to get out, way out on those small islands that line Maine’s shore than with a personal small boat.   It’s only a day’s drive from New York and a half day’s drive from Boston.

The kayak is just perfect for traveling, it carries your gear and yourself in an efficient way.    As I have said in previous articles, a kayak is very different from other boats.   You are seated right at the water-line, so your body is much more stable.   You feel more like part of the water instead of on top of it.   It is difficult to tip a kayak in calm waters of Frenchman Bay.    However, with large waves or a lot of reaching, it is possible to turn a kayak over.   On the ocean we favor long skinny kayaks for their ability to go straight and to also handle waves.

You get out on the water for 3 days on a guided kayak tour in Maine, no experience necessary.   If you are taking your teen along with you,  the tandem kayak is one of the keys to the success as you have to work together to get somewhere.   Sharing a small island helps too, a tent, other people around, but not too many.    I’m describing one of the adventures that you can find here in Maine.   If you stay with us, we will be glad to help you store your stuff before or after your stay here at Sea Cat’s rest.

Those of you who are already experienced kayakers can create your own trip, but three days is an ideal start to a lifetime journey featuring water excursions.   We have an incredible resource here called the  Maine Island Trail Association.   This 40 year old organization has been working to create and preserve the many island that line the coast of Maine for everyone to enjoy.   If you love kayaking enough to own a boat, and you are coming to Maine consider joining this association.    By joining you get a map of the many islands that are open to those who wander among the islands of Maine.   Their website:   Maine Island Trail Association

Don’t forget these ideas when you paddle:

• Dress for the water, not the air, temperature.
• Wear a lifejacket at all times.
• Make sure somebody knows where you are and when you’ll return.
• Air Temp + Water Temp  < 110 = stay out of the water.
• Air Temp + Water Temp > 110 but < 140 = Wear a wetsuit!
• Paddle with a buddy.
• Check weather and tide conditions, and plan accordingly.    We have excellent climate here in the summer because of the cold water – but that does present some danger for those that get immersed in the water not expecting it.

For those visitors with little experience, a good place to start is with an experienced guided tour.  Here is a link to the non-profit association of Sea Kayak Guides.   They  offer various organized Kayak trips in and around Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park and other areas of Maine.    Maine Association of Sea Kayak Guides and instructors.    Most of them offer the three day kayak I explained above as well as half day (4 hour) guided tours.   A few also arrange private excursions.    All of them include the cost of kayak rental in the package.