Where can I launch my kayaks in Bar Harbor? There are several places. One popular spot is the municipal ramp next to the tour boat docks. This location is also one of the most congested in town, but kayakers can still find space to launch their craft on this small beach until high tide. One drawback to the municipal ramp is the parking, which is often limited to three hours in summer months.
Sorrento Harbor
If you’re wondering where to launch your kayaks in Sorrento Harbor, you’ve come to the right place. Not your typical touristy harbor, this quaint fishing village sits on the southern end of Waukeag Neck. Protected from Frenchman Bay by a chain of islands, Sorrento Harbor is rich with wildlife and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains of Acadia National Park and the Porcupine Islands.
Hadley Point
A popular kayak launch site in Bar Harbor is Hadley Point. Located near the unofficial dog park of MDI, Hadley Point offers easy access and easy kayak launch. The area is also popular for viewing the sunset. You should always check the tide schedule before you head out to sea, though. If it is low when you arrive, you might have to paddle a few miles upstream to access the water.
Hadley Point is located on the northern end of Mount Desert Island, and it offers access to Eastern Bay and Mount Desert Narrows. From Hadley Point, you can paddle to Sand Point, home to tall cliffs and sea caves known as The Ovens. Full-day tours are recommended so that you can paddle to the rocky island below and see more wildlife. Whether you’re on a kayak or a canoe, you’ll enjoy a day on the water, and there’s a lot to see!
Hadley Point is also a clamming site, where you can catch soft-shell clams. There are licenses required for harvesting these creatures. These are harvested using a special clam rake. Keep in mind that clams must be at least two inches long in order to be edible, and the siphon has to be pointed up for survival. Clams are monitored annually, and if the population drops below a certain level, harvesting may be prohibited.
Bar Harbor Municipal Ramp
The Bar Harbor Municipal Ramp is located adjacent to a heavily trafficked area, right next to tour boat docks. Although there is ample room to launch kayaks, parking at the ramp can be a hassle, especially during the summer months, and the ramp is capped at three hours. To help reduce the congestion, the ramp is designed to accommodate the public without imposing an unnecessary cost. Here are some pros and cons of this waterfront location:
The Town of Bar Harbor has buoys placed on the channel to define safe anchoring and mooring. While using the ramp, the Harbor Master must approve your mooring. Be careful not to damage buoys, as the Town of Bar Harbor requires that all watercraft obey buoy laws. For example, don’t moor your vessel to a buoy. Similarly, don’t destroy buoys! There is a parking lot in the immediate vicinity of the ramp.
While using the ramp, please respect the Harbor Master’s authority and don’t violate the law. The Harbor Master may appoint deputies to enforce the rules, but you cannot use them to solicit business or potential customers. Watercraft, in general, refers to any boat or vessel that can moor at a public float. The ramp is a public area, and a sign posted there should not be obstructing the waterway.
Lamoine State Park
If you are looking for a place to launch your kayak in Bar Harbor, you should check out Lamoine State Park. This 55-acre public recreation area is situated on Frenchman’s Bay in Lamoine, Maine. From here, you can enjoy beautiful views of Eastern Bay and Mount Desert Island as well as views of the town’s working waterfront. Here, you can also find the best rentals in Bar Harbor and get all the information you need to start enjoying your kayak.
In addition to the beach, the park also has a campground. There are 61 tent and RV campsites at Lamoine. You can rent kayaks at the campground. There are no hookups or services here, but there are restrooms and showers, and drinking water is available. If you’re staying in a tent, you can also request group camping at the campground. The campground also has a playground for kids and has a boat ramp.
You can also get a great view of Mount Desert Island from the park. Whether you’re paddling across the bay or launching a kayak from a dock, Lamoine State Park is a great place to explore Bar Harbor’s waterways. Just make sure you bring some road snacks, and plan to head to Ellsworth for food. The city of Lamoine was incorporated in 1870 and was named for a man who lived here. Traditional salt box houses and a quiet lifestyle are what make this place appealing to visitors. You can always respect the residents and their privacy by not disturbing them while you’re out paddling.
Roque Bluffs State Park
There are many great kayak launch sites in and around Bar Harbor, Maine, including Roque Bluffs State Park and Pond Cove Island. The park has a half-mile-long sand beach, a freshwater pond, hiking trails, and picnic areas. The town of Bar Harbor acquired the island from the Maine Coast Heritage Trust, which served as the interim owner until a conservation plan could be drafted. Funds from the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and Land for Maine’s Water Access Fund helped to make this acquisition possible.
For hikers, Roque Bluffs State Park offers over six miles of dog-friendly trails. The park is situated on Schoppee Point and consists of 274 acres of land. Various trails wind through dense forest, old apple orchards, and meadows. The Park’s trails offer scenic views of Great Cove and are easy to moderate. During the summer months, the park is often blanketed in soft fog.
National Park Sea Kayak Tours
Mount Desert Island’s quiet side can be explored on a four-hour kayak tour, which usually leaves Bar Harbor around midday. Small groups spend about two and a half hours on the water, exploring the quiet side of Mount Desert Island. All kayak tours include transportation from the town to the put-in location, and a professional guide will teach you how to safely paddle your kayak. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced paddler, these tours will provide you with a unique perspective of the state of Maine.
If you’re an experienced sea kayaker, you can launch at the public boat dock in downtown Bar Harbor. However, be aware that parking near the public dock can be congested. If you’re an experienced kayaker, you can try the Porcupine Islands, a wildlife hotspot. The round-trip trip from Bar Harbor to Porcupine Island is around 14 miles. If you’d prefer a shorter trip, you can start from Southwest Harbor, or you can head over to Seal Cove.
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