Kayaking VacationsPosted by Lisa Marie Mercer on 19th, May 2012

Maine Kayaking VacationsCoastal Maine was one of the first North American destinations visited by European fisherman, explorers and pioneer settlers. Then, during the second half of the 19th century, the newly industrious United States developed the concept of leisure time. The coast of Maine became one of the first vacation destinations, thus its nickname, "Vacationland." People came from all parts of the globe for its waters. Unlike Nick in Casablanca, they were not misinformed.

Kayaking trip | Sea Kayaking During this era, only the wealthiest citizens could afford to travel. Many used their private yachts and power boats to explore the Maine coastline. By the middle of the 20th century, an improved economy made vacationing accessible to more North American citizens. Within the same time frame, kayaking, a water transport method developed by Native Americans, evolved into a popular recreational sport. Coastal Maine became its playing field.

Despite modern technological advances, coastal Maine maintains its 19th century ambiance. A Maine vacation rental might include a week in a former Victorian mansion, where you can pretend to be the lords and ladies of the manor. Maine vacation rentals appeal to kayak enthusiasts, who, at the end of the day, enjoy a warm bath in a claw-foot tub, and a cup of tea prepared in their own kitchen. If you get the urge to take an overnight kayak and camping trip, your vacation rental solves the problem of where to store the things you don't need for either activity

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Picture by Ray Closson - Mount Desert Island

Adventure Trips | Kayaking in Maine The state of Maine entices kayak enthusiasts with 3500 miles of craggy coastline and access to about 3,000 small islands. Maine kayak excursions come in all varieties. Some people come to Maine to learn how to kayak. Others rent a kayak for a few hours. Adventurous kayak enthusiasts take an all day guided tour, or multi-day kayak and camping excursions.

The New England cliche -- "if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes" -- epitomizes the necessity of careful packing for a Maine kayak trip. Even during summertime, temperatures might rise and fall like the waves, so prepare for extreme temperature changes. Bring along everything from heavy fleece pullovers and wool hats, to bathing suits,sunglasses and suntan lotion, advises Shelley Johnson, author of "The Complete Sea Kayaker's Handbook." Cover your feet with a pair of neoprene booties or rugged sport sandals. In cooler weather, you will need a windproof and waterproof jacket.

Learning To Kayak in Maine Hundreds of kayaking schools dot the coast of Maine. If you seek kayak instruction and advice about your kayak gear purchases, the classes provided by sporting gear shops offer a viable solution. After taking a lesson, your instructor can help you choose the right gear for your needs. L.L. Bean, (llbean.com)for example, has its flagship store in Freeport, Maine, and offers novice, intermediate and advanced kayak classes from late May to early October. For already proficient kayakers, L.L. Bean offers kayaking tours of the Casco Bay, as well as sunset and moonlight kayaking tours. Maine Sport Outfitters (mainesport.com), recommended in "The Insiders Guide to the Maine Coast," also offers kayak classes and multi-day kayak excursions. Its stores are located in Rockport and Camden Maine.

Planning a Trip

The Maine Island Trail Founded in 1987 and sometimes called the Appalachian Trail of the sea, the Maine Island Trail (mita.org) is a 375-mile chain of over 190 coastal islands along the coast of Maine. Kayakers are the predominate users of the trail, which extends from Portland to Machias Maine. The organization provides extensive information about kayaker safety and wildlife conservation of the Maine Island Trail. This includes advice about which islands to avoid during seabird nesting season, harbor seal safety and interpreting weather reports. In an article about choosing the proper kayak for the trail, professional guide Lee Bumstead suggests a 16 to 18 foot sea kayak, as opposed to a smaller, recreational kayak.

Multi-Day Kayak ToursMulti-day kayak tours provide an opportunity to see different aspects of the Maine coastline. Located in Stonington, which Paul Karr, author of Frommer's Maine Coast describes as Maine's best kayaking area, Old Quarry Ocean Adventures (oldquarry.com) offers different types of overnight kayak trips. Those who want a combination of luxury and adventure should sign up for and inn-to-inn kayak trip. Participants in these three or four day trips stay in elegant, Down East Maine elegant inns. Other trips feature camping facilities. For a compromise between rustic and comfortable, the Old Quarry Bunkhouse offers a three-bedroom, indoor sleeping venue. Bathrooms and cooking facilities are outdoors on the campground.

Picture by Ray Closson - Maine Postcard Public Domain

Acadia KayakingIf you're headed Down East toward Acadia National Park, Coastal Kayaking Tours (acadiafun.com) offers three-day kayak and camping tours around Mount Desert Island. In addition to Mount Desert Island, the National Parks Service lists the following destinations for kayaking in Acadia:

Seal Cove

Bass Harbor Seal

Harbor Beach

Hadley Point

Bar Island

Gravel Bar

Even if your family and/or friends are not kayak enthusiasts, Maine offers an infinite variety of leisure activities. These include:

Arts and crafts shows

Concerts Cycling

Hiking and nature walks

Shopping

Dining

You can get there from here!

Visit Maine this summer !

Kayaking Vacations | Adventure trips | Kayaking trip | Sea Kayaking