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7 Things you can do to help Seals, and 7 Seal Facts you’ll want to know – with Whitney

a small animal (seal) in a body of water with a city in the background

All of us at Portland Paddle love seals, and especially our flippered friends in Casco Bay who we encounter regularly.  We shared an introduction to the types of seals we see while paddling in our Guide to the Seals of Maine last year, but there’s a lot more to cover. In this post we’ll share some of our guides’ favorite facts to share with groups when they spot a seal, along with ways that you can help seals thrive. 

To round up our favorite seal facts and get some tips on protecting seals, we turned to Portland Paddle guide Whitney Wilson! Whitney has an overflowing passion for seals and she has channeled that into volunteering with Marine Mammals of Maine, a non-profit that responds to reports of stranded marine mammals, and cares for sick, injured and abandoned seals.  When not paddling with seals you’ll likely find Whitney running with her three pups, exploring desert canyons, or nerding out about Portland Harbor’s network of forts. 

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  • Most Popular!
From $55 per person
  • Ages 10+
  • 2 Hours
  • Portland, Maine

Sunset Sea Kayak Tour

Glide across Casco Bay as the evening sun begins to set and witness the colors of the golden-hour sky over Portland’s islands! This 2-hour sea kayak tour involves a leisurely paddle along the Portland waterfront and onto the open waters of the bay to enjoy the panoramic views of the sun setting over the city as we paddle back to the East End Beach. Along the way you’ll look out for seals and seabirds as your expert guide offers paddling tips and shares their local knowledge of this unique place.

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From $1,225
  • Ages 13+
  • 5 Days

Downeast Ramble

August 18, 2025 - August 22, 2025

This expedition for intermediate to advanced paddlers explores the most rugged, wild and gorgeous stretch of the Maine coast — the Downeast region that extends to Canada. The tides are more powerful here, the wildlife more abundant and the cliffs more dramatic. It has all the makings for an epic sea kayaking trip.

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