Quick Details
Muscongus Bay is one of our favorite destinations for multi-day sea kayaking trips on the Maine coast. It offers a prime environment for viewing wildlife, and its countless small islands provide plenty of options for exploring the Maine Island Trail. Muscongus Bay doesn’t attract many large boats due to its lack of major harbors and shallow ledges, but it’s absolutely perfect for sea kayaking.
This trip starts with a roughly 90-minute drive north to the small village of Friendship. From there the group will island-hop east, with possible camping spots including Thief Island, Black Island, Hog Island and Crow Island. Along the way there will be lots of opportunities to observe seals and other wildlife; Muscongus Bay is especially well-known as a great place to view birds of all sorts. One of the islands we may explore, Hog Island, is home to a large Audubon Sanctuary with great trails that we’ll take time to explore.
Your guide will customize the route to match the interests and experience level of the group. You should expect to paddle for several hours each day, but there will be lots of breaks and the group will travel at a pace that’s comfortable for everyone. Your guide will be happy to offer paddling instruction throughout the trip.
The group meets at 8:00 AM at Portland Paddle on the first day and will return by 4:00 PM on the last day. Portland Paddle will transport the group 90 minutes north to the launch site in the town of Friendship, or you may choose to drive yourself. You should bring your own sleeping bag and sleeping pad, or you can rent them from us for an additional fee. Cold water paddling gear such as wetsuits and neoprene booties are available for rent. Portland Paddle will provide kayaking gear, dry bags, drinking water, tents and camping and cooking gear. We are happy to store your belongings (luggage, bikes, etc.) during your trip.
If you would prefer to book a private trip that is just for your group we would be happy to make that happen. A private trip allows your guide to customize the itinerary to fit the interests and experience levels of those in your group. It’s also a good option if the dates of our public trips listed on the calendar above don’t work for your group.
To get more information and request a private trip please submit the form on this page.
CLICK HERE for a detailed trip itinerary and packing list.