Kayaking
Kayak Camden
Kayaking Maine’s coast, lakes, ponds and rivers is an excellent way to experience the state’s varied and beautiful landscape. It’s also a great way to see Maine’s coastal wildlife. It is not uncommon to spy ospreys, cormorants and bald eagles while kayaking Camden Harbor, Penobscot Bay and local bodies of fresh water. Kayaking Penobscot Bay also provides the opportunity for sightings of harbor seals and potential sighting of porpoises.
Kayaking Camden Harbor
For beginners or casual kayakers, an excellent option is taking a guided tour with Maine Sport Outfitters. They have a great supply of one- and two-person kayaks on Camden’s harbor located next to Peter Ott’s Restaurant. Guided harbor tours run three times daily beginning mid-May. The friendly, experienced guides provide all necessary instruction, guidance and outfitting needed to get you safely through the tour. Recommendation: Bring a bottle of water and sunscreen. For more information, call (207) 236-8797 or visit https://mainesport.com/guidedtrips/.
Kayaking Day Trips
Even though kayaking Maine’s coast can be a wonderful experience, it can also be a challenging one. So, to be enjoyable, preparation is key. Thankfully, for those both trained and untrained in kayaking the Maine Coast, there are several tours and outfitters that provide wonderful guided, completely outfitted kayak tours.
Camden is home to some of the best Kayak tours and allowing the tour guide outfit you is not only a great introduction to kayaking the Maine Coast, but even for experienced kayakers, makes it a hassle-free experience.
Again, a good local choice for single- and multi-day guided kayak tours is Maine Sport Outfitters..
Launching your Kayak in Camden Harbor
There are two places where you can launch your kayak:
- Launch your kayak from the boat ramp on Sea Street which overlooks Camden’s outer harbor.
- Launch your kayak from the Camden harbor boat ramp located in Harbor Park across Atlantic Avenue from the Camden Amphitheater. There is parking along Atlantic Avenue and a small parking lot next to the amphitheater.
Standup Paddleboarding
Another excellent way to explore mid-coast Maine’s lakes, ponds and rivers while enjoying the scenery is by standup paddleboard (SUP). These freshwater venues are more relaxing because the water is smoother than salt water venues.
Lake Megunticook is a great place for SUP. The lake has an area of a little over two square miles and has numerous small islands, both occupied and unoccupied. The water is very clear and warm enough for swimming. The most convenient place to launch is Barrett’s Cove due to its beach and ease of parking.
Another good place to launch is the beach at Shirttail Point on the Megunticook River. The water here is also clear and warm enough for swimming. With fewer houses along the shore and fewer visitors, the river is even more peaceful than Meguticook Lake.
Maine Sport Outfitters offers two and a half hour, $45 guided tours on Lake Megunticook and the Megunticook River.