Casco Bay Half-Day Sea Kayak Tour
Overview
Inclusions
- Professional guide
- Use of sea kayak(s) and paddling gear (paddle, PFD, sprayskirt)
- Drybag for keeping your belongings dry
What to expect
This trip offers an island-hopping adventure in the archipelago of gorgeous islands in Casco Bay that lie between the open ocean and Portland harbor. You’ll look out for wildlife like seals, eider ducks, herons and osprey and you’ll enjoy views of some of the bay’s most fascinating landmarks, including lighthouses and historic forts. There are endless options for exploration, so your exact route will depend on the weather conditions and tide cycles.
Halfway through the trip you’ll land on an island beach for a break. This tour is the perfect fit for people with some sea kayaking experience who want to venture a bit further than our shorter tours.
Stop At:
• Casco Bay, Portland, ME
• East End Beach, Eastern Promenade Trail, Portland, ME 04101
• Portland Paddle, 1 Cutter Street East End Beach, Casco Bay Waterfront, Portland, ME 04101-4505
Additional information
- Children ages 12-15 must paddle in a tandem kayak with an adult.
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Children must be accompanied by an Adult
- Minimum age is 12 years old
- Most participants are given tandem (two-person) kayaks because they are more stable, spacious and easier to use. Please let us know if you prefer a solo kayak.
- Please dress appropriately. Bring shoes that can get wet and a windbreaker or other warm layer.
- Near public transportation
- Subject to weather conditions. If your tour is canceled due to strong winds or rain, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund.
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 8 hours of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
Ticket delivery
Cancellation
We used Portland Paddle for two separate trips - a half day Casco Bay for myself and teenage daughter and the Fort Gorges paddle trip for a family of four. Both are well guided, all equipment is provided, good safety, and no issues. My teens also spent a few hours using SUP rentals in the bay.
We used Portland Paddle for two separate trips - a half day Casco Bay for myself and teenage daughter and the Fort Gorges paddle trip for a family of four. Both are well guided, all equipment is provided, good safety, and no issues. My teens also spent a few hours using SUP rentals in the bay.This trip was exactly what I was looking for! I wanted to kayak on the bay, but didn't want to do so alone. Peter was our guide for the adventure - he was informative, supportive and fun. The day was gorgeous, the water was calm and I didn't want the trip to end.
This trip was exactly what I was looking for! I wanted to kayak on the bay, but didn't want to do so alone. Peter was our guide for the adventure - he was informative, supportive and fun. The day was gorgeous, the water was calm and I didn't want the trip to end.I'm an experienced paddler and chose to participate in the half-day only because I had plans for the afternoon. Our guide was fabulous starting off with an excellent safety briefing and then spending about 20-30" making sure everyone was comfortable before heading out. Portland Harbor is very bus...
I'm an experienced paddler and chose to participate in the half-day only because I had plans for the afternoon. Our guide was fabulous starting off with an excellent safety briefing and then spending about 20-30" making sure everyone was comfortable before heading out. Portland Harbor is very busy so we made sure we stayed together as a pod in order to avoid any issues with ferries, various size sail and motorboats. On the way back, we even saw a humongous tanker coming in! We stopped twice: Peak's Island and Picnic Island/spot. Besides the guide, I was the only one in a single and the rest were in double kayaks. This was the ONE issue I had. I am only 5'3'' tall and the particular rudder design on my (and several of the boats) was that there was a toe pedal above the regular foot pegs that moved the rudder. My feet and small and in order to move these stiff toe pedals, I had to shift my weight a little and stretch out my leg losing contact with my thigh braces making me more unstable! On the way back, I switched with another experienced paddler who was several inches taller but he didn't seem that happy with this rudder design either. My new kayak partner took the back seat since he was 6'3" and we all thought it would be easier for him. HOWEVER, he had the opposite problem: his feet were too long and he had major trouble with the right toe control. Because he was so much bigger, when he shifted his weight, I had to counteract his movements making sure I had a brace ready at all times. It still was a VERY FUN TRIP! (I have now learned that I need to ask for the classic rudder control instead of this new design.)I booked a last minute solo kayak trip on the 4th of July. The entire team was wonderful and made it so easy. We were very lucky with a wam, calm day. It was a pretty easy paddle. I was paired with a stranger, as I’m not an experienced ocean kayaker. The views were spectacular.
I booked a last minute solo kayak trip on the 4th of July. The entire team was wonderful and made it so easy. We were very lucky with a wam, calm day. It was a pretty easy paddle. I was paired with a stranger, as I’m not an experienced ocean kayaker. The views were spectacular.We rented two tandem kayaks for a tour of the Fort. It was a windy day which made for an easy ride to the Fort, not so much on the way back - we had to work hard but our guide was excellent, providing good advice on best way to handle the winds and waves. His knowledge of the Fort was excellent e...
We rented two tandem kayaks for a tour of the Fort. It was a windy day which made for an easy ride to the Fort, not so much on the way back - we had to work hard but our guide was excellent, providing good advice on best way to handle the winds and waves. His knowledge of the Fort was excellent even for us locals. It was great fun and would do it again.The process was simple and the staff were super helpful getting everything set up and making sure we knew what to do. Our guide Finn was great, super nice and fun to talk with during the tour. He knew a ton about the area and kept the group together and organized very effectively. We don't get...
The process was simple and the staff were super helpful getting everything set up and making sure we knew what to do. Our guide Finn was great, super nice and fun to talk with during the tour. He knew a ton about the area and kept the group together and organized very effectively. We don't get up to Portland often, but will definitely consider giving Portland Paddle a second visit if we do.