Penobscot to Acadia Expedition
A Four-Day Adventure in the Island Wonderland South of Acadia National Park!
The seemingly endless clusters of islands between Penobscot Bay and Mount Desert Island offer all the elements of an idyllic environment for sea kayak camping: Abundant oceanside campsites, countless pocket beaches, infinite route options for exploration, and plenty of opportunities to find shelter from winds and waves. Each island has its own character, history and beauty, and many of them have campsites as part of the Maine Island Trail.
Home to quarries that provided granite for Boston, New York, and D.C.s most iconic buildings, this coastline is also home to some of Maine’s prettiest coastline, where rocky shores and towering evergreens meet. While Acadia National Park draws millions of visitors to experience this environment, this trip provides paddlers with a chance to get away from the crowded hiking trails and explore it by water.
Where You’ll Paddle
You’ll start this trip on the pink-granite-lined shores of Penobscot Bay, with views of the mountains of Acadia on the distant horizon. Over the following days you’ll island-hop towards those mountains, eventually reaching the shores of Mount Desert Island, or one of the adjacent peninsulas, where our van will be waiting to shuttle the group back to Portland. Along the way, you’ll visit dozens of islands, some so tiny they are almost submerged at high tide, and others large enough to have extensive networks of hiking trails and small villages.
As you paddle from Penobscot Bay towards Acadia you’ll encounter abundant wildlife like seals and seabirds, along with the activities of Maine’s working lobstermen and other mariners. You’ll also witness fascinating remnants of the past, like abandoned quarries that now serve as swimming holes, and centuries-old lighthouses.
The itinerary will depend on the conditions and the group. You can expect to paddle for several hours each day, with many breaks along the way. There will also be plenty of time for exploring and relaxing on the islands. Your guide will choose a route that takes maximum advantage of the wind direction and tidal currents, while ensuring that the group moves at a pace that is comfortable for all participants.