Gray seals are bigger; they're between 7 and 8 feet long, and can. Youll see Goat Island Light in Cape Porpoise and then travel to Goose Rocks for more seals and back down the coast to Wells. . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); VisitMaine.Net The unofficial guide to experiencing Maine. M.C. , Millinocket. Moderate use. 15 Mothers Beach Beach Ave. Sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, toilets. The Southern Mainecoastal Wells townis popular for its beaches, but also its many antique shops, used and antique book stores. You may even have the opportunity to see birds that dont normally visit the mainland. I have researched, but can't really find a clear answer. Moderate use. 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. While a big animal, the harbor seal is only about half the size of the gray seal, the . Their combined trail network offers 6 miles of mostly gentle hiking through cattail marshland and quiet mixed forest, with periodic lookouts taking in the Sasanoa River and Robinhood Cove (watch for ospreys soaring overhead). 32 Kettle Cove Kettle Cove Rd. Watch purple sandpipers and puffins settle onto the rocky coastline or look for black-capped chickadees (the Maine state bird) in the forest. Pete Erskine, co-owner of Mexicali Blues, one-time summer person turned year-round resident of South Bristols Rutherford Island. 207-967-2321. The southern and coastal regions are influenced by air masses from the south and west. 12. Sandy, free parking, toilets. The refuge is located along 50 miles of Maines picturesque coastline in York and Cumberland counties. 250 Main St., Ogunquit. 207-646-5575. 207-967-4461. @media only screen and (min-width: 1024px){ Seaside Inn. Sitting right on the dock alongside Camden Harbor, Rhumb Line combines the carefree spirit of Jimmy Buffett with fresh, simply prepared Maine seafood and killer craftcocktails. Tiny taffy kisses are made fresh daily and come in old-school flavors like molasses, licorice, and peppermint. Things To Do On The Southern Maine Coast Region - VisitMaine.Net For the best visibility, time your. 3 York Harbor Beach Rte. Local officials have said that its typically buried beneath 6 or 7 feet of sand. Boat traffic is minimal, and sightings of bald eagles, ospreys, and other raptors are common. Moderate use. 207-204-8888. southernmainekayaks.com. Moderate use. I'd drive either way. Named for the architectural gem of a cribstone bridge that connects Orrs and Bailey islands a one-of-a-kind cobwork of granite slabs Morses restaurant is a landmark in its own right. 11. Sandy, free (limited) parking, no facilities. 207-833-2313. Try the house specialty, a none-too-sweet blueberry martini. 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. 10. 8 Ogunquit Beach Beach St. Sandy, paid parking, concessions, lifeguards, showers and toilets. Bass Harbor Head Light Sandy, free (limited) parking, no facilities. The island is teeming with thousands of birds. There were lots of gulls and a few bald eagles as well. 14 Parsons Beach Rte. 207-646-4909. Kayak Excursions SUP tours, 1 hours, $50. 92 Pine Point Rd., Scarborough. It is not unusual for a seal pup to be left alone on the beach by its mother for up to 24 hours. 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. 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. Southern Maines best kept secret! Edna St. Vincent Millay, Camden poet, Renascence, 1912. Robert F. Bukaty/Associated Press More Than 3 Dozen Dead Seals Found On Southern Maine Beaches In Past 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. 9. Acadia National Park. They can also take out chunks of wall and pathway, and storm damage can make for tricky footing. Hit the Scoop Deck near Wells Beach to choose from among a whopping 72 flavors of ice cream. 119 Cedar St. has seven rooms with a B&B vibe and a cozy British-style pub. Moderate use. If you love whales, this is your chance to see these incredibly intelligent mammals up close! 17 Goochs Beach Beach Ave. Sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, toilets. All rights reserved. Its time to lay anchor. Seal Island (dont let the name fool you) is the only island you can actually land on and observe puffins from behind blinds. Whale watching in Maine is kind of a big deal. The island is teeming with thousands of birds. Bass Harbor Island Cruises Glenn Dochtermann (go ahead and call him Doc) learned to fish off the beach from his dad some 60 years ago, and hes been out surf-casting ever since for stripers, pollack, and more. Answer 1 of 5: Is it possible to see Seals in October? Whoever has once visited this delightful region will never forget it, as the scenery is not surpassed in any part of Maine, and it is a veritable yachtsmans paradise. Maines coastal islands are the only place in the U.S. where youll find nesting sites for Atlantic puffins. Shop Now. Harborside Cottages, nestled over small, working New Harbor, has been in business since 1950. The dusky glare helps hunters distinguish darker colors against rocks. Kennebunk andKennebunkportattract the famous each summer includingformer President George Bush and his family. 207-644-8300. Tickets a la carte, $25$40. BYOB and snag a weathered picnic table at the end of the pier. Recent Increase in Seal Deaths in Maine Linked to Avian Flu Dont bring Fido without checking. 207-363-8466. From Kittery to Old Orchard Beach, the Southern Maine Coast is the perfect vacation getaway. Spring is harbor seal pupping season in northern New England. Steller sea lions also occur on the West Coast, but the eastern . 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. Christi / Flickr. The formal trail dates to Yorks days as a posh summer colony and crosses right through the yards of some of the towns most historic homes (be respectful, obvs). Portland to Bar Harbor - is the best way? Like all mammals, seal pups begin life drinking . The tight-knit summer community combined with the pristine sheltered harbor has been creating fond memories for generations. Sandy, paid parking, concessions, lifeguards, toilets. Although all are classified as humid continental, small differences exist among regions. By Tuesday, Marine Mammals of Maine had responded to about three dozen dead seals on beaches from Cape Elizabeth south to York. So why does Maine have so many sandy beaches down south? Share your pride in Easterseals with branded products from the Easterseals store. Park at Josephine Newman Audubon Sanctuary, off Rte. The seals congregate in the Kennebec rivermouth every spring to gorge on returning baitfish that swim upriver. 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. Humpbacks and minkes are the whales most often spotted, but blue whales and right whales make occasional appearances as well. Plummer Point Rd., off Rte. Enjoy inside or from the takeout window for a picnic. You can see seals at the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Five Islands Lobster Company Visit Fort McClary State Historic Site, also in Kittery, where an 18th-century fort overlooks the Piscataqua River. In the early part, puffins are all about taking care of business, flying sorties from the island to the water and back to feed their young. } 10 Snow Canning Rd., Scarborough. 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. 50 Perkins Cove Rd. P.O. Get answers to your questions about Maine. Artists renditions of the coast can be seen in the many galleries and art museums in town. FAST FACTS ABOUT OGUNQUIT'S MARGINAL WAY, MAINE'S MOST BELOVED SHORELINE STROLL. Interactive Maine Map: Small Towns, Cities, & Regions - Visit Maine 207-497-5769. The puffins have already left their nesting areas. View our other locations. Thurstons Lobster Pound A high-energy, improv-heavy flute, cello, and drum trio. Some 40 percent of overnight guests more than 8 million people made a destination last year out of the sunny, seaside stretch that tourism types simply call The Maine Beaches. And who can blame them? Play Skee-Ball, Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and more at the retro Fun-O-Rama arcade pavilion on York Beach. Like Mainers, the pier doesnt let the elements keep it down: a storm partially wrecked it the year it opened, a fire burned the entrance in 1907, waves diminished its length throughout the mid20th century, and a blizzard took it down in 1978. 207-646-7088. There are definitely seals at the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? .eb-linked-heading {border:none; text-decoration:none; color:inherit;} , Livermore, P.O. State biologists estimate there are roughly 75,000 moose roaming Maines rugged landscapethe largest concentration in the country next to Alaska. Nothing fancy just fresh local seafood served a variety of ways at a family-friendly restaurant (its also carnivore friendly: steak and chicken are on the menu). The ship skeleton made its most recent and most publicized appearance, following one of the winter storms the media dubbed a bomb cyclone.. Ride the Ferris wheel at Palace Playland for a birds-eye view of the iconic Old Orchard Beach pier. Make a reservation today! , 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. Battie 29 Scarborough Beach State Park Black Point Rd. Channel your inner pirate at Schooner Miniature Golf, in Saco, where youll putt around (and aboard) a 75-foot windjammer. 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. We are a small family run outfit that specializes in personalized one-on-one guided trips. PO Box 160 Carson was author of Silent Spring and a Maine Summer resident. @media only screen and (min-width: 1200px){ Sandy, no parking (bike in is best), no facilities. 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. . A no-frills lobster shack paragon, it offers cold beer, rich chowders, fresh seafood, and a small deck overlooking the water. Birds are the main source of the flu, and seals in the region have caught the flu from passing birds before. But the most important difference is that puffins like to hang out in Maine. Island Grocery Kitterys Route 1 is filled with outlet stores of every kind imaginable and famous Kittery Trading Post. Light use. . The Colony Hotel. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-113315485', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Boston in July. The park is home to animals that have been injured, orphaned or are too dependent on humans to be released back into the wild. Miles ofsandy beaches check, amusement parks , Read More Guide to Wells Maine Condominium ResortsContinue, Your email address will not be published. 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. Plummer Point Preserve Maple Hill Farm Inn and Conference Center. 214 Nubble Rd. This does not include mammals, such as seals and whales, that must live in ocean environments or domestic mammals like cattle, dogs, and people. does not look like an American town at all in place or in architecture. 375 Seguinland Rd., Georgetown. 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. Our boat puts you up close and personal with all of what the ocean has to offer. Maine is the only place in the United States where you can see puffins in the wild. PARKING often requires a trip to the town office for a permit. PO Box 773 THERES A SHIPWRECK BURIED BENEATH YORKS SHORT SANDS BEACH. Dont leave logs on the beach or fires unattended. Also, because this island is so notable for its bird populations, you can meet and swap stories with fellow bird watchers from across the country. 22 Fortunes Rocks Beach Fortunes Rocks Rd. 37 Beach Ave., Kennebunk. 17. As it turns out, theyve been in social networks a lot longer than we have. See these historic lighthouses first-hand. Maine is a destination for birdwatchers during all four seasons. Catch the weekly Thursday night fireworks at Old Orchard Beach. When the tides out, tidepoolers mingle with surfers and plein-air painters. 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. 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. 207-371-2616, Every year, I return to this spot. Come see us at the Visitor Center Monday to Friday, from 8:00-4:30. Hot tip: sub sweet potato wedges as a side and wash everything down with a slice of the otherworldly blueberry pie. Address: Portland, ME 04101 207-563-1393. Its slightly ramshackle look complements OOBs come-one-come-all vibe this is a beach where you can attack a hunk of fried dough while wading in a Speedo and nobody looks at you twice, and the pier is the charmingly ragtag monument it deserves. . For example, Mehlhorn says, people tend to overlook brown pieces of sea glass but hold it up to the light and what appears brown can truly be dark red. Give this Article . 26 Old Orchard Beach Rte. In addition there is a squadron of returning Ospreys that fish aggressively there as well. If you love seals, beautiful scenery, or just want to be on the ocean, this is the tour for you! Deer Isle Granite Museum Due to its location along the Atlantic Flyway, Monhegan Islandis a particularly busy bird habitat during spring and fall. @media screen and (min-width: 410px) { During the summer season in the Southern Coast of Maine, you can overhear many visitors speaking English, French, various European languages, and even Jamaican. 103. 398 Rte. Come to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Built in 1883, the downtown inn, a half-mile from Ogunquit Beach, 1 Fort Foster Beach Pocahontas Rd. 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. Required fields are marked *. Its wicked cheap too. 27 Pine Point Beach Rte. The health risk posed by avian flu to the general public is low; however, precautions are recommended. 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. 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. You can share 5 more gift articles this month.. Coast Guardcertified captains from Old Orchard Beach Parasailing & Jet Ski (5 Bay Ave., Saco; 855-359-2759) head a ways off the OOB shorefront with groups of up to six, and the parasail itself accommodates up to three for what is basically a tranquil, 15-minute aerial cruise with lighthouse and Ferris wheel views ($90 per person, extra if you want pics or to wear a GoPro camera). Pebbly, free (limited) parking, no facilities. Bowdoins environmental research station sits on 118 acres of varied terrain jutting into Harpswell Sound. Cape Cod Seals | Center for Coastal Studies It has consistently been our best Maine canoe trip for spotting wildlife, including moose and eagles. Pat Lacey, Down East reader. The low-pressure system will strengthen into a nor'easter as it moves away from Maine tomorrow. You ll have the opportunity to safely and comfortably view these magnificent creatures and other wildlife as you learn about moose habits and habitat from a knowledgeable guide. 13 Drakes Island Beach Drakes Island Rd. Later in the day its time to kick back with some me time on the rocks or rafting together on the water. Look out for the worlds largest mammals aboard one of southern Maines whale watch boats, and get ready to be splashed! 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. Theyre really not. This is our most adventurous tour and has something to offer for everyone! Do you like visiting historical places where history comes alive? 5 Short Sands Beach Ocean Ave. Sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, showers and toilets. With a box of chocolatepeanut butter in hand, stroll out on the rocks, have a seat, and indulge in the fudge and the view. It's a storm with major impacts for southern Maine, with an estimated snowfall rate of 1 inch . The first town, upon entering the Southern Maine Coast isKittery. , Millinocket, PO Box 160 9 Footbridge Beach Ocean St. Sandy, paid parking, concessions, lifeguards, toilets. Visitors can view a live camera feed of puffin activity and learn about conservation efforts to protect puffins and other seabirds of Maine. Maine's whale watching season lasts from mid-April through October. Moderate use. 5. 1. 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. Located within Acadia National Park, the lighthouse is a favorite of photographers, who typically shoot from the rocky shore below. You can reach us at: 1063 McGaw Avenue, Suite 100 Irvine, CA 92614 714-834-1111 714-834-1128 (Fax) Contact Us. Seals are the most commonly-seen marine mammals along the shores of Maine. Including approximately 5,000 pairs of puffins, 1,000 pairs of razorback auks and 500 pairs of common murres. A gospel-tinged bluesy act with virtuosic pedal steel. A third-generation, family-owned business, Huot Seafood Restaurant in Sacos beachside village of Camp Ellis still uses Doris Huots batter Such places have always threaded the needle between glamorous and honky-tonk, and so it is with OOB: in the interwar years, you wore a jacket to see Duke Ellington or Count Basie in the pier ballroom; these days, you wear a tank top to hear a musical comedian working blue at Hooligans. The stand goes through 250,000 pounds of potatoes a season. 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. 40 Bowery Beach Rd., Cape Elizabeth. The island is located in the lower Bay of Fundy about a mile west of Grand Manan Island, a remote island known for its iconic lighthouse. Whales can be seen up and down Maines coastline, but are best viewed by booking a whale watching boat tour. Bird Flu May Have Caused Seal Strandings in Maine - The New York Times All the way out on Bailey Island, where the road abruptly cuts off at a cement barrier and the land literally ends, sweeping views of Casco Bay draw a steady stream of travelers. Maine is one of the few states in the U.S. with a sizable moose population. 30 Higgins Beach Ocean Ave. Sandy, paid parking, showers and toilets. Old Village Inn. 77. Its a short paddle to Stevens Brook, behind Footbridge Beach, and a network of tiny tidal streams in the Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge. .eb-thumbnail {width:25%;} 9. Blue Sandy, free (limited) parking, lifeguards, showers and toilets. Dont show up without calling or going online to check out local parking regulations first. The Nubble Light is a beacon for photographers and lighthouse lovers visiting Yorks Sohier Park. Home to rare plants like beach-head iris and birds-eye primrose, the islands managed by The Nature Conservancy. 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. 207-729-5181. The seals disperse when the baitfish run disappears, usually about the time the stripers start returning, ie early June or thereabouts. But over the years, we've had good luck at the Indian Point Blagdon Preserve, especially at low tide. If you see a sick, injured, or dead seal in Maine, please call the Maine Marine Animal Reporting Hotline at (800) 532-9551. 1 Bypass, Kittery. Infections are more likely. As intimate and adventurous as a small music festival gets highly recommended. In southern Maine, no place is better than Eastern Egg Rock for spotting the puffin. Kids will certainly dig it, and the surrounding placards and artifacts tell the story of the Maine granite used to build everything from Sing Sing prison to Rockefeller Center. Check out the National Park Service for more information. The institute also tends to a hatchery that produces soft-shell seed clams to replenish clamflats in Maine, New Hampshire, and Canada. Afternoons are devoted to seal and bird watching around the entrance of Blue Hill Bay and Bass Harbor Head Light. Portland, Maineoffers a city feel with a twist. . 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? Late founder Billy Tower concocted this fruity sipper, so popular that the Ogunquit institution mixes it up in 5-gallon batches. Cliff House. 208. Voted #1 in New England by Yankee Magazine for the best chance of finding Moose! 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. PO Box 171 Ambajejus Lake 29 Eastern Ave. 207-282-1642. Built by a Connecticut bridge company in 1898, its a remnant of the golden age of Atlantic beach towns, when seaside boardwalks and pleasure piers sprang up from Atlantic City to Daytona Beach. Great Wass Island Preserve The cliffs rise nearly 50 feet in spots, and the waves can put on a show. Acadia National Park,a couple hours north of Portland, Maine,is one of the best places to see wildlife in Maine for many reasons other than moose. Address: Southern Maine, a million miles from the daily grind, is only a short distance from you. It books up fast. This humble one-room museum on Stoningtons main drag is centered around a working model of one of the granite quarries that once operated on the surrounding islands basically, the most elaborate educational train set youve ever encountered. Races start at 10:30AM - registration accepted up to 1 hour before the race. Epic Wildlife Watching in Maine - Visit Maine Hundreds of Seals Are Dying on the New England Coast Wildlife watching in Maine presents a world of diversity and endless opportunities for discovery and recreation. Coveside Join us today! That's about the best I can do with so little info. The lobsterboats bobbing off the wharf are your first indication that youre in for some of the freshest crustaceans served in Maine its never tanked, and you can pick your own bug.