Penobscot to Acadia Expedition

You’ll start this trip on the pink-granite 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, where our van will be waiting to shuttle the group back to Portland.

Each trip follows a unique route depending on the conditions and the group, but you’ll be sure to visit dozens of islands and experience many sides of this region. You can expect to paddle 5-8 hours each day at a moderate pace with plenty of island breaks. We limit the group size to 6 people, and often have fewer.

The group meets at 8 AM at Portland Paddle on the first day and will return by 6:30 PM on the final day. We will transport the group from Portland to the Penobscot Bay region on the first day and back from the Acadia region on the final day (both drives are 3+ hours). Alternatively, we can arrange for pickup/dropoff at a site in Central Maine if preferred.

Tents are included in the cost of this trip, but we ask participants to either bring their own sleeping bags and sleeping pads or rent them from us for a small additional fee. Portland Paddle will provide kayaking gear, dry bags, drinking water, other essential camping gear, cooking gear, and all meals. Cold water paddling gear, such as wetsuits, neoprene booties, and dry suits, are available to rent. We are happy to store your belongings (luggage, bikes, etc.) during your trip.

• Island-hopping through the Merchant’s Row archipelago towards the mountains of Acadia National Park
• Visiting dozens of unique islands, potentially including Isle Au Haut, the least visited section of Acadia National Park, and Green Island, with its beloved swimming hole in a historic granite quarry
• Watching the beautiful ships of the Penobscot windjammer fleet glide across the bay and the countless lobster boats tend their traps.
• Experiencing the open waters of Blue Hill Bay, and likely spotting harbor seals, gray seals, along with various birds of prey and seabirds.
• Relaxing evenings at gorgeous island campsites, with potential opportunities for hiking island trails, venturing out on night paddles, learning new paddling skills or just enjoying the sunset and the stars.

• Well-rounded, delicious meals and snacks – three of each breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Kayaks and other paddling gear
• Two dry bags for packing your belongings
• Licensed Maine guide
• Tent

• Prior experience on a multi-day sea kayaking trip
• Experience with wet exits & self-rescue skills
• Ability to paddle at a moderate pace for several hours in one day (with many breaks)
• Comfort with tent camping

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.