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Penobscot Bay Archipelago

Kayaking in Maine with H2Outfitters

Highlights

  • One of the largest island archipelagos on Maine’s Coast
  • Pocket beaches surrounded by smooth granite boulders that plummet into the deep green sea
  • A chance to visit the largest island in the archipelago, Isle au Haut, the majority of which is part of Acadia National Park.
  • A good choice of island campsites, all offering amazing views
  • Chances to see harbor porpoise and seals

Full Description

If you truly want to sample a "taste of Maine", steer your course to Stonington and prepare yourself for an unforgettable trip!

The clusters of round high relief islands that emerged in this area after the glaciers receded, provide the kayaker sheltered waters from the open sea, stunning views, and a great opportunity for learn and practice basic navigation skills.

Glimpse colorful starfish through the crystal clear emerald waters, capture the beauty of a schooner under sail as she passes through the island thoroughfare, or simply relax on sun-baked granite boulders as you await your evening meal and watch the sunset at the end of a glorious day. This area has one of the highest density of islands on the Coast of Maine, including Isle au Haut, most of which is part of Acadia National Park.

A visit to Isle au Haut is sure to be on the itinerary, with a visit to the small fishing community that survives here year-round, and a paddle to the majestic lighthouse located just south of the harbor's entrance. This trip beckons all levels of paddlers - for the beginner, it provides a playground for exploration of its many islands, and for the experienced paddler it provides plenty of opportunity to practice your navigation skills and, of course, enjoy the area. The trip begins and ends at a local campground in Stonington.

Includes:

  • 16’-17’ sea kayak with Sprayskirt, paddle, PFD, and westuit
  • Meals as noted on itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
  • Campground fee for first night
  • Boat launching fees
  • All cooking gear – stove, pots, etc.
  • Safety equipment, Group first aid, and repair kit
  • Registered Maine Guide

Excludes:

  • Transportation to start and end of trip
  • Parking fees
  • Camping equipment (tent, sleeping bag, pad)

Day by Day Itinerary

Day One

Launching our fully-laden kayaks from our mainland campsite, we’ll slowly navigate our way through the myriad of islands that are scattered just offshore here. We have several options for camping along Merchant Row, the main thoroughfare connecting Penobscot bay to the eastern reaches of Downeast Maine. Any of these island campsites, will provide us great opportunities to take off and explore the Isle au Haut area south of the thoroughfare or the densely populated group of islands just offshore of Stonington. After we arrive at the island, set up camp, and get settled in, you’ll have the option to do a short paddle just before or after dinner.

Day Two

It’s off to Isle au Haut today to visit this tiny island community on the western shores of Isle au Haut. Take advantage of the flush toilet, take a walk around town and stop in to the general store for that must needed candy bar, soda or just to enjoy the company of the locals. A sight not to be missed on Isle au Haut is the lighthouse perched high on the cliffs at the entrance to this small town. We’ll take a paddle down to the lighthouse after our break and then begin our journey back to the campsite, possibly paddling around Kimball Island, a large island situated just off Isle au Haut’s western shore creating a protected channel between the two islands. Keep your eyes peeled for harbor porpoise and seals as we cross a few open stretches of water back to our site.

Day Three

We’ll break camp, pack the kayaks and paddle a bit east to our second island campsite located in the midst of another small island complex. The gradually sloping granite ledges make launching and landing the kayaks a breeze and they provide easy access for walking around the island. In this area we will paddle around many small islands, most uninhabited and covered with spruce trees, stopping for a stretch, snack or a quick picnic lunch on one of the many sandbars and even taking a dip in the freshwater quarry found on Green Island.

Day Four

Our final day on the water and its off to explore the eastern shore of Deer Isle, the large island connected to the mainland by a suspension bridge over the Eggemoggin Reach. Within a short stretch of this coastline we will find long narrow bays, beautiful coves, a smattering of tiny islands, and a place for the ideal picnic lunch. Keep your eyes peeled to the sky and perhaps we will see a bald eagle or osprey circling high in the sky or perched near a treetop along the shore. By mid afternoon, we will have meandered back to the takeout, packed up our belongings and started for home.

About The Operator:

H2Outfitters

Headquarters:

Orr's Island, Maine

Established:

January 1982

H2Outfitters is recognized as the East Coast’s original sea kayak outfitter and as “One of the World’s Best Adventure Travel Companies” by National Geographic Adventure magazine.Established in 1982 the company has had many “firsts” in the areas of kayak instruction, safety, leadership as well as trips and outfitting.The company’s principals, Cathy Piffath and Jeff Cooper, are recognized as leaders in their field.Of particular note, Cathy has been recognized as one of the “finest technical paddlers in the country” and has been featured in such magazines as Shape, Paddler, Self, Downeast, and Yankee among others.Her partner, and H2Outfitters’ Director of Fun, Jeff Cooper was described by Men’s Journal as “arguably the finest kayak instructor on the East Coast…” and has himself been a topic of discussion in publications ranging from the Financial Times to National Geographic Adventure magazine.

Cathy & Jeff have been prominent figures nationally in the kayak instructional arena with the American Canoe Association and the British Canoe Union.They served as the first ACA instructor trainer educators on the East Coast and wrote the first national curriculum for sea kayaking in the early 90s. H2Outfitters has been an innovator in outdoor education as well as its marketing within the industry here and abroad. Consequently, H2O’s reputation for excellence is recognized around the globe.

The company’s International Adventures for a Lifetime trip program has been recognized nationally as offering some of the most unique and exciting excursions in adventure travel.Combining cultural and historic perspectives with the hands-on aspect of sea kayaking, H2Outfitters has taken the Seven Seas and made them accessible in a fun and educational manner to people of all ages.Japan’s Inland Sea, the Amalfi Coast of Italy, Iceland’s West Fjords, and Italy’s Tuscan Island Archipelago are but a few of the trip’s they offer to adventurous travelers.The company has worked closely with travel writers and authors worldwide in the development of their trips; Tony Perrottet, Dario Castagno, Steve Jermanok, and Isamu Tatsuno to name a few.

Some H2Outfitters’ Highlights

  • -Pioneers of sea kayak instruction in the US
  • -Principals recognized as the best and finest in their field
  • -Cutting edge programming, distinctive adventures
  • -Company takes the interactive “getting off the bus” approach to international travel

 

H2Outfitters’ Mission Statement:

At H2Outfitters, we firmly believe that skills development is the best insurance for all kayaking activities. It provides a foundation on which to build a secure paddling future for a relatively small investments. Your ability to paddle, and paddle well, allows you to make intelligent decisions that range from buying a boat and judging its characteristics, to selecting the river or ocean trip that suits your needs. Instruction is not hype, doesn’t need a sales pitch, and is, in fact, and investment in your futures. Take it seriously because it ensures Serious Fun!

This mission statement still holds as true today as it did when we established it in 1982.

H2Outfitters is committed to high-quality kayaking instruction. Our instructors are selected not only for their kayaking skills, but also for  their  teaching skills and group management ability. Our staff is dedicated to making sure you have Serious Fun!