The dining room at the Grey Havens Inn is open for dinner five nights a week in midsummer (white tablecloths, steak and seafood), and its worth a visit just for cocktails on the wraparound veranda overlooking the mouth of the Sheepscot River. 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. 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. Fresh (round!) Whales can be seen up and down Maines coastline, but are best viewed by booking a whale watching boat tour. Plummer Point Preserve 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? See Bernard Langlaiss whimsical wooden creatures in the seaside sculpture garden at the Ogunquit Museum of American Art come Wednesday mornings for kiddie story time and crafts. Its anchored York Beach since 1868, but the Bluff feels like a clean, contemporary conference hotel albeit with huge balconies overlooking Short Sands Beach. Copyright VisitMaine.Net 2022Images Courtesy Greg and Heather Burke unless otherwise noted. Where receptacles are available, dont fill them with huge bags or large items like broken umbrellas or chairs. Isle au Haut, Isle Au Haut, ME, USA. You can see seals at the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 12 Old Orchard St. 207-934-2328. From moose, white-tailed deer, black bears, bald eagles and mountain lions to porcupines, coyotes, hawks, owls, turtles and many others, you can see them all up-close and safe. 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 . What is your time frame? Experience the 9 Buildings of the Museums of Old York Maine, Locals Guide to the Best Kennebunkport Boat Tours. 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. In southern Maine, no place is better than Eastern Egg Rock for spotting the puffin. If you want to see a moose on your trip to coastalMaine, Acadia National Park is your best bet. Address: 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. Sandy, paid parking, concessions, lifeguards, toilets. Mt. Ride the Ferris wheel at Palace Playland for a birds-eye view of the iconic Old Orchard Beach pier. 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. 2. Lets start with the Project Puffin Visitor Center in Rockland. 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. Maines southern coast offers the American summer vacation at its beach-blanket best. Free admission. , 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. Light use. Down south, though, glacial rebound has been more subdued these last couple thousand years. It is not unusual for a seal pup to be left alone on the beach by its mother for up to 24 hours. Like any wild animal, seals are where you find them, so no guarantees. Saturday storm will cause major travel problems in southern Maine Marginal Way Oh, and we GUARANTEE that you see seals or you get YOUR MONEY BACK! .eb-hero-content p { width: 80%; } Been looking online - there is one at (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 23 Biddeford Pool Beach Rte. Wave action also breaks down the bedrock alongside beaches, rolls stones until theyre smooth, and washes away mud and sand. 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. 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. I will be in Bar Harbor from 4 Oct thru 8 Oct. 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. Seals are the most commonly-seen marine mammals along the shores of Maine. . Sandy, paid parking, concessions, lifeguards, toilets. Businesses and locations related to: Maine Wildlife, Golden Road 15 Mothers Beach Beach Ave. Sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, toilets. 10 Snow Canning Rd., Scarborough. 240 Bayview Rd., Orrs Island. 26 Old Orchard Beach Rte. .eb-button-wide { width:100%; } 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. Light use. I was at Kettle Cove in Cape Elizabeth yesterday and there were seals right off the point in front of where I was sitting. When you look out on the Jonesport and Beals harbor, you see only working lobsterboats. Hope it helps. Seaside Inn. Old Village Inn. 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. Less dazzling ceramic bits and pieces of frozen Charlottes antique porcelain dolls are also fun to collect. Vazquez Mexican Food 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. 207-367-2788. Moderate use. But dont worry about that last part. Visit themainebeaches.com for more info and its never a bad idea to call the local town office with questions. 10 North Beach Ocean Ave. Sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, toilets. 80 Beach Ave., Kennebunk. , Millinocket. 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). You were very helpful. 59 Morrill Rd 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. 51 Main St., Stonington. 207-363-1333. @media only screen and (min-width: 1024px){ recipe from 1935. The seals congregate in the Kennebec rivermouth every spring to gorge on returning baitfish that swim upriver. Would it be worthwhile to do a kayak tour to see seals? See what 40,000 pounds ofcandy looks like at Yummies Candy & Nuts in Kittery. Admire the endangered birds from a distance, stay out of signed restricted areas, and fill any beach holes (since chicks can tumble in). Mammals: Species Information: Wildlife: Fish & Wildlife: Maine Dept of Moderate use. NOAA Fisheries has listed 22 species of marine mammals under the ESA. Play Skee-Ball, Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and more at the retro Fun-O-Rama arcade pavilion on York Beach. Five Islands Lobster Company Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I'd drive either way. 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. 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.. From the majestic moose to the huge humpback, Maine has long been known for its vast and unique wildlife. You have the opportunity to witness wildlife anywhere that you travel. Located right along the coast, Portland has some of the best chefs inspired by Maine seafood and local farm raised food. The best time to spot sea glass, Mehlhorn says, is at sunset. 207-646-4909. Expect about an hour of instruction and another hour of fishing. They provided 2 kayaks and we were right on the water where we could kayak out to a mussel bar and sea seals. Former state rep Josiah Chase almost turned his oceanfront parcel into a cottage subdivision, but a civic-minded pal, architect F. Raymond Brewster, convinced him to donate it to the town instead. Marine Mammal Strandings Allied Whale College of the Atlantic 8 Western Ave, Kennebunk, ME 04043, USA Infections are more likely. If you want to experience nature from the comfort of your own front porch, consider a cottage at Dunes on the Waterfront, where beachfront views will give you a front row ticket to southern Maine birds and wildlife. June and July are the best months to see puffins, but the general season is May through August. 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. Maine Moose watching trips offered daily! 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. Shop Now. } Ninety-two gray and harbor seals were reported stranded in Maine between May 10 and July 4. Credit. 1 Fort Foster Beach Pocahontas Rd. A brilliant display on a warm spring day. Birds are the main source of the flu, and seals in the region have caught the flu from passing birds before. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. . Seals like to "haul out" to rest, sun themselves on rocky ledges or rocky shorelines on islands. Grab a towel and come with us. Edna St. Vincent Millay, Camden poet, Renascence, 1912. Light use. Look out for the worlds largest mammals aboard one of southern Maines whale watch boats, and get ready to be splashed! Bass Harbor Head Light 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. The record served in a day is 923 punches thats with a three-drink limit on this potent stuff. It is against the law to handle a marine mammal without proper authorization, and their sharp (dog-like) teeth can be very dangerous. 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. Heavy use. From Portlandswaterfront, there is easy access to Casco Bay ferries, water taxis, and boat tours to nearby islands including Peaks Island, Diamond Island, and Long Island. Harbor seals are 5 to 6 feet long and weigh up to 285 pounds. @media screen and (min-width: 410px) { Camden Hills State Park, 280 Belfast Rd., Camden. Address: Southern Maine Coast Area Attractions 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. Hot tip: sub sweet potato wedges as a side and wash everything down with a slice of the otherworldly blueberry pie. PO Box 171 Ambajejus Lake 19 Cleaves Cove Beach Halcyon Way. Do you like visiting historical places where history comes alive? At Acadia you will occasionally see harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and gray seals (Halichoerus grypus) just offshore and in the area harbors. Who needs a pontoon boat when youre naturally buoyant? Moderate use. 7 Little Beach Marginal Way, off Israel Head Rd. , Greenville. White Barn Inn. Maine Map. 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. This does not include mammals, such as seals and whales, that must live in ocean environments or domestic mammals like cattle, dogs, and people. Thats what geologists call a beach made primarily of pebbles and/or cobbles (the former measure 4 to 6.4 centimeters across, the latter 6.4 to 25.6 anything bigger is a boulder). 1 Marina Way Built by architect John Calvin Stevens in the oh-soNew England Shingle style in 1914, the Colony is a landmark with ocean views and a straight-up beach of its own, right across the street. 207-646-7088. National Marine Fisheries Service Law Enforcement division has established the following toll-free number for reporting potential violations: 1-800-853-1964. While wildlife watching is something visitors can enjoy throughout the state, here are two of Maines most beloved wildlife and human life - destinations. Late spring means seal pupping season in mid-coast Maine. 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. More than once, a bench has been washed out to sea by storms that can wreak havoc on the path. Seaplane service throughout Maine & New England. To report seal strandings south of Maine, please call the NOAA Fisheries Stranding Hotline: (866 . 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. Brian Beal, Jonesport native and director of research at the Downeast Institute for Applied Marine Research & Education. 13. Where should we go to see whales, seals, puffins without a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 27 Pine Point Beach Rte. Moderate use. , Millinocket, 59 Morrill Rd Pebbly/sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, no facilities. Maines southern coast offers the American summer vacation at its beach-blanket best. . 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. Well head over to Cape Porpoise Harbor and Bumpkin Island to enjoy the seals that call that area home. The Southern Maine Coast region is a year-round vacation spot with miles of sandy beaches, many hotels, motels and inns, excellent restaurants, and both indoor and outdoor activities for every season. On Sundays, hit up the Kittery Community Market for picnic supplies, live music, and a kids corner with art and science projects. The puffins have already left their nesting areas. 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. $4 Maine residents, $6 non-residents. 12. One of southern Maines consistently excellent restaurants, Mark Gaier and Clark Frasiers 12-year-old seaside eatery manages to thread the needle of upscale ($30 dinner entres that wow, like an Indian-spiced braised lamb shank) and approachable (Thursday burger nights in the shoulder seasons, when a creatively topped burger and a local pint run you $13). This is family-friendly educational activity at its finest and most massive. Where is the best place to see seals in the wild. 24 Hills Beach Rte. Moderate use. Voted #1 in New England by Yankee Magazine for the best chance of finding Moose! Light use. 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. @media only screen and (min-width: 600px){ 207-646-0455. 8 Western Ave., Kennebunk. Explore gentle wooded trails at Kennebunkports lovely Edwin L. Smith Preserve. Heavy use. 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. A huge population of migrating birds makes Maine one of the best places to see wildlife if youre a bird enthusiast. Bass Harbor natives Kim and Eli Strauss offer passengers their insiders view of Mount Desert Islands hardest-working harbor. Cottage Resorts - Visit Maine Open Memorial Day-Labor Day, Old Orchard Beach, 934-2001. The low-pressure system will strengthen into a nor'easter as it moves away from Maine tomorrow. On the way out, Kettle Cove Creamery and Caf is a stone-cold classic for cones and lobster rolls. 207-967-6065. 207-244-7600. Multiple species visit the state's waters, including humpback, finback, minke and pilot. I have researched, but can't really find a clear answer. Sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, toilets. As it turns out, theyve been in social networks a lot longer than we have. Best place to see seals? - Acadia National Park Forum Location As intimate and adventurous as a small music festival gets highly recommended. , Greenville. To aid her search in sand, Mehlhorn uses a sifter attached to a long handle. Camdens one literary town. 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. The age class of harp seal we tend to see are the juveniles, who are around 12-14 months old . Light use. Best Places To See Wildlife In Southern Maine Eastern Egg Rock No, that's not a penguin you're seeing. Been looking online - there is one at Bar Harbor and another on the Cape. (Vaping, if not banned, is still obnoxious.). 214 Nubble Rd. .eb-col a { text-decoration: none; } Its the number one landmark on Mount Desert Islands Quiet Side, so you cant skip this one! The Southern Mainecoastal Wells townis popular for its beaches, but also its many antique shops, used and antique book stores. 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. It is illegal under the Marine Mammal Protection Act to handle these animals. 1A. A great spot for a none-too-challenging family hike. 9. 22 Fortunes Rocks Beach Fortunes Rocks Rd. The vibe is rustic elegance, and the back patio overlooks the working harbor. Our tribute to the eight port towns and peaceful coves we never tire of gazing at. Her farm-to-table approach means the menu is always in flux, but lobster figures prominently (the states most productive lobstering fleet is out her back door) and often unexpectedly par for the course is a recent dish of applewood-smoked lobster beignets, served over local greens. 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. more. 207-644-8300. Its a short paddle to Stevens Brook, behind Footbridge Beach, and a network of tiny tidal streams in the Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge. For a little more seclusion, though, visitors can follow the footpaths to adjacent, undeveloped Kettle Cove (which also has its own parking area), a pebblier pocket beach flanked by dramatic granite shelves. A noreaster removed enough sand from the beach to uncover the wreck for the first time in modern memory. Address: 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. Portland A mile up the road from Pine Point Beach, Fun and Sun Rentals and Tours offers kayaks, SUPs, and car shuttles for one-way, self-guided tours through the vast Scarborough Marsh, and the neighboring Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center has canoe and kayak rentals. Beach ecosystems are fragile, and visitors should never walk across vegetated areas. Carson was author of Silent Spring and a Maine Summer resident. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2019-2022 Dunes on the Waterfront. Bird Flu May Have Caused Seal Strandings in Maine - The New York Times , Livermore, P.O. .eb-hr {margin-top: 110px;} 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. Light use. 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. Sandy, paid parking, concessions, lifeguards, toilets. Inland cottage resorts feature either traditional cottages or gatherings of rustic cabins. 1. An award-winning saxophonist in the bebop and swing traditions. 207-363-1277. The seals hauled up on the Cape are gray and harbor seals. From $159. Many of the small islands off the coast of Maine are filled top to bottom with these charming little birds. .eb-image-right {width:100%; max-width:400px;} Explore Boon Island Lighthouse and Nubble Lighthouse on this tour that cruises up the coastline. FAST FACTS ABOUT OGUNQUIT'S MARGINAL WAY, MAINE'S MOST BELOVED SHORELINE STROLL. We did the nature (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Its pricey, but so picturesque. 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. The museums permanent collection (selections of which fill out an exhibit this fall) prominently features artists like Robert Laurent, Isabella Howland, and others associated with Ogunquits early20th-century art-colony heyday. Bass Harbor is almost exclusively a working harbor its all lobsterboats and fishing boats and nearly all the small businesses in town are fishermen. You can walk to the end of State Pier and usually see them or take a Casco Bay Lines ferry, or one of the other tours available in Portland, to see them out in the bay. You name, it you can enjoy it in Wells. What not to do on the southern Maine seashore. And were not using the word massive lightly. Thirty-nine benches face the ocean, each with a sponsorship plaque that sold for $5,000 to fund trail maintenance which is necessary. 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. The Best Whale Watching in Maine - US News & World Report Peek over marine scientists shoulders as they research lobsters, mussels, scallops, and other shellfish. 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. , Bingham. 13 Drakes Island Beach Drakes Island Rd. Its also easier to go seaglunking at low tide, and searching after a summer storm can pay dividends, as more glass tends to wash up then. Maine is the only place in the United States where you can see puffins in the wild. Seeing Seals with Portland Paddle. 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. Camden Harbor Park and Amphitheatre 591 Shore Rd., Ogunquit. Reid State Park .page .lead { padding: 0 60px 0 60px; } Josephine Newman Audubon Sanctuary and the Berry Woods Preserve Like all mammals, seal pups begin life drinking . Their morning lunch cruise includes an hour-plus stop on the island of Frenchboro. Rhumb Line Park at Josephine Newman Audubon Sanctuary, off Rte. Sandy, paid parking, concessions, showers and toilets. For the best visibility, time your. No, thats not a penguin youre seeing. 2 Seapoint/Crescent Beach Rte. Sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, toilets. The refuge is located along 50 miles of Maines picturesque coastline in York and Cumberland counties.

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