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 ON THE WATER
| Our island is surrounded by water except for the causeway that permits you to drive here. An entirely different perspective can be gained by experiencing the sea and all it has to offer. Seals, birdlife, lobstering, whale watching and the outer islands take on a different meaning when viewed from the deck of a boat. Some of the best sailing in the world is found in our area. Somes Sound is the only natural fijord in the lower 48 states. |
CRUISES & DEEP SEA FISHING
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Masako Queen Fishing Company Call for information 244-5385 |
| Southwest Harbor - Leaving Beal's Wharf in Southwest Harbor on five-hour fishing trips, The Vagabond takes you eight to twelve miles offshore for mackerel, blue fish (in season), harbor pollack, dog sharks, codfish, cusk and cunner. |
SAILING TRIPS & CHARTERS
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Annie McGee (888)818-8234 or 207 266-2799 |
| A traditional wooden schooner offering daily sailing excursions in the Mount Desert area for parties of up to six persons. Luncheon/sunset, half- and full-day packages are available departing from Southwest Harbor. Private charters or sailing instruction may also be arranged. |
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Downeast Friendship Sloop Charters 207 266-5210 |
| Catering to small parties aboard a classic gaff-rigged sloop. Inspired by centuries of Maine maritime tradition, her graceful design and comfortable cockpit offer a unique experience not found on large vessels. |
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Downeast Sailing Adventures 207 288-2216 or 1 888 405-SAIL |
| Step back in time aboard an Acadia tradition. Sail aboard the Schooner Rachel B. Jackson and experience breathtaking views of the glacier-carved mountains, soaring cliffs and stone beaches of Acadia National Park. A hands-on experience brings forth a memorable adventure. |
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Downeast Windjammer Cruises 207 288-4585 0r 207 288-2373. |
| Bar Harbor - Best sightings of wildlife - bald eagles, seals and porpoises. Bring your binoculars. Several sailings daily including a special morning Park Ranger narrated cruise. Some cruises often have live folk music. |
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Hinckley Yacht Charters 207 244-5008 / 800-HYC-SAIL. |
| Hinckley Yachts have been sailing the coast since 1932. Whether you choose sail or power, we can put our many years of knowledge and experience to work for you. We'll arrange a vacation unlike any you have ever experienced - one you'll truly never forget. |
LOCAL & INTERNATIONAL FERRY SERVICES
Several ferries ply the waters from Southwest Harbor and Bass Harbor to nearby islands and one international ferry travels between Bar Harbor and Nova Scotia.
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Maine State Ferry Service 207 244-3254 0r 207 526-4273. |
| Bass Harbor - Operates from Bass Harbor to Swan's Island and Frenchboro throughout the year. |
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Cranberry Cove Boating 207 244-2882 for schedule. |
| Operating since 1992 from the Southwest Harbor Upper Town Dock. This ferry serves Great Cranberry, Islesford (Little Cranberry) and Sutton Island with several runs daily. |
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"The Cat" Ferry 1-888-249-SAIL (7245) |
| Bar Harbor - North America's only high-speed super ferry. Drive on board, and be jetted to the Bay of Fundy and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. The whole trip takes just 2-3/4 hours! |
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Bar Harbor Ferry 207 288-2984 |
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KAYAKING & CANOEING
Full, half-day, overnight, and multi-day tours and excursions allow you to explore close to shore and wildlife.
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Coastal Kayak Tours 207 288-9605 or 1-800-526-8615 |
| Bar Harbor - Coastal Kayaking Tours offers the widest variety of kayaking trips on the Island, including family tours. |
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Crystal Seas Kayaking 207 288-4447 or 877-SEAS-877 |
| Bar Harbor - Visit Bar Harbor and sea kayak the surrounding waters of Acadia National Park, a premier destination for sea kayakers. Paddle on one of our guided three hour, sunset or full day tours along the rocky tree-lined coast of MDI. |
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Maine State Sea Kayak 244-9500 or (877)481-9500. |
| Maine State Sea Kayak wants the time you spend with us to be the highlight of your visit on Mount Desert Island. We know that vacations are special and your time is precious. With those thoughts, we welcome the opportunity to provide a Fun... SAFE... Sea Kayak Excursion for you. |
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National Park Sea Kayak Tours 207 288-0342 / 800-347-0940. |
| At NPKT your enjoyment and safety are our primary concerns. To insure that this happens, we limit each trip to a maximum of Only Six Tandem Kayaks. This Small Group Concept allows us to give you more personal service and attention. |
WHALE WATCHING
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Bar Harbor Whale Watch 207 288-2386 or 1-800-WHALES-4. |
| Bar Harbor - The Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company has spared no expense in order to offer you a spectacular opportunity to experience the awe inspiring beauty of the magnificent mammals of the sea. Come and enjoy a fantastic experience. |
BOAT RENTALS
For those qualified, chartering or renting a small power boat or day sailer offers unlimited freedom to enjoy the water.
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Manset Yacht Service (Boat Rental) 207 244-4040. |
| Manset Yacht Services on the shore in Southwest Harbor and now in Bar Harbor at Harborside Hotel and Marina offers late model power boats for rent. Our Yamaha powered center console boats range from 18' to 22' in length.They are fully complemented with all necessary equipment and are available short or long term. |
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Mansell Boat Rentals & Charters 207 244-5625. |
| Rent full keel day sailers, small power boats, and power/sail boats 16'-31' and sailing lessons. |
CANOE RENTALS
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National Park Canoe & Kayak Rentals 207 244-5854 or 877-378-6907. |
| We rent top quality Old Town Canoes & Kayaks and Walden Kayaks. Conveniently located at the north end of Long Pond. |
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Mansell Boat Rentals 207 244-5625. |
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YOUTH ACTIVITIES
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Harbor House Community Center (Youth & Adult Activities) 207 244-7905. |
| The Harbor House MDI Sailing Center offers a weekly junior sailing program for youth ages 6-17 during July and August. Adult and family memberships available for begginer to advanced please call 244-7905 for details or visit us online at www.mdisailing.org. |
OCEANARIUMS
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Mt. Desert Oceanarium 207 244-7330. |
| We mix you and dozens of sea animals and great staff together to learn and enjoy. Results?? "AWESOME", "RAD-I-CAL", "EXCELLENT". Lobster museum and hatchery, salt marsh tours. Open daily except Sunday beginning in May. |
SWIMMING HOLES & PUBLIC BEACHES
There are several invigorating saltwater beaches on Mount Desert island. Also, many of the island's major lakes (those which are not public water supplies, where swimming is prohibited), offer a cool alternative for those unprepared for the numbing experience of a dip in the chilly waters of the North Atlantic. Perhaps the most famous beach on the island is Sand Beach in Acadia National Park. Located on the Ocean Drive section of the Park Loop Road, the Beach is actually composed of very little sand, the bulk of its broad surface being made up of billions of particles of crushed sea shells. Another saltwater bathing area on the island, which has lavatory/changing facilities, is the town beach in Seal Harbor. The Seal Harbor beach has no lifeguard.
On the western side of the island, Echo Lake Beach, again in Acadia National Park, is the only freshwater bathing area with full facilities and lifeguards. The gravel beach is an excellent place to take small children. To get to this beach, stay on Rte. 102 southward and take a right at Echo Lake sign on right (approx. 4 miles south of Somesville). The beach's parking area is at the end of a short winding road. A favorite spot along Echo Lake is known as the "Bluffs" or "Ledges." To get to this area, park in Acadia Mountain parking area (about three miles south of Somesville on Route. 102). A short path leads west from the area, down the hill to the lake. Another popular freshwater swimming area is the northern end of Great Long Pond in Somesville. |
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