Kayaking in Camden Harbor

Kayak, Paddle the Penobscot – Using One of Our Great Kayak-Tour Outfitters is Highly Recommended

Kayaking the Maine coast is the perfect way to see it. From the vantage of the surface of the water, the hidden coves, island estates, precipitous ledges, all the colors and contours of Maine’s unique drowned coastline open up to the Kayaker. It’s also a great way to see Maine’s coastal wildlife. The Penobscot Bay is home to Atlantic Puffin, Porpoises, Cormorants, Harbor Seals, Eagles, Osprey, and many other ocean dwelling creatures that you simply will not see while driving up Route 1.

Kayaking Day Trips

Despite the fact that Kayaking Maine’s coast can be a wonderful experience, it can also be challenging and requires preparation in order to be enjoyable. Thankfully, for those who are not trained and experienced in kayaking the Maine coast, or those experienced kayakers who simply want to enjoy the area without all that preparation, there are several tours and outfitters that provide wonderful guided completely outfitted kayak tours. Camden Maine is home to some of the best Kayak tours around, and letting the tour guide outfit you is not only a great introduction to Kayaking the Maine coast, but even for experienced Kayakers, it takes the hassle out of the enterprise.

Kayak day trips permit you to experience the Penobscot Bay, while still being able to take a nice bath or shower at your Bed and Breakfast that night. Also, touring with an outfitter-guide permits you to have all the proper equipment, without carrying it with you on your trip. The tour operators take care of the myriad details, and have seen every kind of condition on the water, so there is nothing for you to do but sit back and enjoy the paddle. Most tour-outfitters have guided paddles for every level of kayaker, from the casual to the experienced.

Here is a list of the issues that you should be aware of , that your kayak tour outfitter will know before undertaking a kayak tour of the Penobscot Bay:

• You should possess and be familiar with the local charts. Maps are for land, and charts are for anyone using the waterways.
• Camden, Rockport, Rockland Charts: National Ocean Service (NOS) Charts for the Camden-Rockport area are Charts 13305 Penobscot Bay (1:40,000) and 13307 Camden, Rockport and Rockland Harbors (1:20,000).
• Chart kit: 65, 68A, 20
• Maine Atlas locator map: 14

Camden, Rockport, Rockland Tides:

The tides change, there are neap tides and spring tides, and the size and duration of the high and low tides vary by the phase of the moon. You can pick up a local tide chart from Maine Sport Outfitters, or better yet, take a tour with one of their expert guides, and let them worry about the tides.

Charts are navigational aids for kayaking around Camden, and Rockport and some of the aids indicated on the charts are the Seal Ledge Beacon, and the Graves and Curtis Island Light. Charts are full of useful information such as landmarks, depths, rocks, islands and points of entry, including all tide points of entry to land. But, no need to worry about sea charts, because, any of the kayak tour services listed below can provide them and are fully familiar with the ones pertaining to the guided routes.
For those do-it-yourselfers, we have listed a number of wonderful Kayak the Maine coast tour books that are full of information.
Wildlife: Another reason it is advisable to take a trip with a kayak tour outfitter is to assist you in being a good steward of the bay by helping kayakers to follow precautions to keep the areas precious wildlife and archeological treasures preserved for future generations to enjoy. Tips to be a good steward of nature include being wary of nesting birds, honoring signs that designate areas closed for nesting birds, not bringing dogs on your trip, avoiding known seal ledges, watching all wildlife from a safe distance. Do bring binoculars and waterproof cameras to help you enjoy while keeping a distance. Never approach seal pups, even if you think they might be abandoned. Most often, of course, they only look like they have been abandoned, and approaching them will necessarily disturb the care of their mother. Stick to the established paths, picnicking in established sites. Never light fires, and do not walk or dig in shell middens. You should always carry all trash out with you.

There are several great places to see from the water, and several really nice kayak trips in and around Camden Harbor. The land in public or conservation ownership which a kayaker may visit is Curtis Island Park, Mark Island, and Goose Rocks, which is closed during bird nesting but open to careful day use afterward.

Launching your Kayak in Camden Harbor

The all-tide boat ramp is on Sea Street, that overlooks Camden’s outer harbor but the kayak tour outfitters have their own places to disembark. Directions to the Camden Maine all-tide boat ramp are as follows: if you’re heading north on Route 1, at the intersection of Route 52, or Mountain Street, your landmark is the Camden Public Library on the right, bear right continuing on Route 1 North. Turn right on Sea Street, which is 0.1 mile north, a very short ride. Go 0.3 miles along Sea Street (follow the left turn). Turn right on Steamboat Landing drive. There is room only for a couple of cars, and it is better to park on Avey Drive, where there is a small lot for boat launchers. Avey Drive is back to Sea Street, turn right, the road curves left and the lot is on the left.

Links, and Contact Information for Penobscot Bay, Camden, Rockport or Rockland Maine Kayak Tour Outfitters:

Breakwater Kayak

Mailing address: 6 Megunticook St., Camden 04843
Located in Rockland, Breakwater Kayak specializes in tours focused on natural history. Offers professionally guided trips in Penobscot and Muscongus bays. Trips available for all ages and skill levels. Leads two-hour tours of Rockland Harbor, four-hour trips to Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, and full-day trips to Owls Head State Park and Lighthouse. Multi-day trips feature tent camping or accommodations in bed-and-breakfast inns.

Phone: (207) 596-6895
E-Mail: info@breakwaterkayak.com
Web: www.breakwaterkayak.com

Camden Kayak

Based in Camden, Camden Kayak guides trips in Penobscot Bay or Muscongus Bay, either for a day or for overnight trips.

E-mail: info@camdenkayak.com
Web: www.stormloader.com/camdenkayak/

Maine Sport

Based in Rockport, this Outdoor School has a wide range of courses, tour, clinics and instructor and guide certification. Day trips include tours of Camden Harbor and Friendship Harbor. Family tours include paddling the St. George River or Megunticook Lake. Maine Sport does rent kayaks as long as you can demonstrate that you have paddling experience.

Phone: 800-722-0826 or 207-236-8797
E-mail: outdoorschool@mainesport.com
Web: www.mainesport.com

Hurricane Island Outward Bound School

Based in Rockland, the School offer sea kayaking courses in Penobscot Bay. Most courses are one or two weeks long.

75 Mechanic Street
Rockland, ME 04841
Bus: 1 (207) 594-5548
Bus 2: 1 (866) 746 9771
Bus Fax: 1 (207) 594-9425
E-mail: info@hurricaneisland.org
Web Page: http://www.hurricaneisland.org

Other Useful Online Articles on Sea Kayaking in the Penobscot Bay

This article Entitled Paddling Possibilities in Maine’s Penobscot Bay by Kayakshops gives short descriptions of the islands and dimensions of Penobscot Bay.

Books on Kayaking the Maine Coast

Kayaking the Maine Coast: A Paddler’s Guide to Day Trips from Kittery to Cobscook, Second Edition (Paperback)

by Dorcas S. Miller (Author)
(A Backcountry Guide)

Guide to Sea Kayaking in Maine, The Best Day Trips from Casco to Machias

Shelley Johnson and Vaughan Smith
(2001 Globe Pequot Press)

Sea Kayaking Along the New England Coast 2nd Edition

Coastal Paddling Adventures from Down East Maine to Long Island Sound
Tamsin Venn
(2004 Appalachian Mountain Club Books)

Quiet Water Maine 2nd Edition,

Alex Wilson and John Hayes
(2005 Appalachian Mountain Club Books)

Strange Maine

Edited By Charles G. Waugh, Martin H. Greenberg and Frank D. McSherry, Jr.
(1986 Lance Tapley)