Grab a Paddle

Sea kayaking is a great way to poke along the coast. Check out the Maine Island Trail, which connects an endless number of barrier islands. Make a day trip of it and relax in a cooling breeze on a hot summer day. Venture into the many marshes and estuaries in the area, many of which are protected reserves or conservation land.

Try either the Mousam River or the Kennebunk River for paddlers looking to get inland. Each of these tidal rivers gives you a different view of the region. Keep your eyes skyward for migrating coastal seabirds, eagles, egrets, and other beautiful birds of prey. 

For a bit more excitement, step into a high-speed RIB boat in Kennebunk for an eco-adventure. Those into kite surfing should take a ride to Ferry Beach, with jet skiing and parasailing services available in Old Orchard Beach.

Stand-up paddleboarding (aka SUP) is easy to learn and offers a great workout (without feeling like it). With its exploding popularity, visitors can take SUP tours, lessons or rent a board to use while they are here.

Go Fishing

If deep-sea angling is your thing, book a charter. The offshore waters offer plenty of striped bass, bluefish, mackerel, or haddock. Last summer, a couple of teenagers hauled in a 750-lb tuna just off the coast. Many outfits even offer family trips—making it easy to gear up while catching sight of friendly porpoise diving among the waves. Try your hand at surfcasting from shore or jetty; saltwater fishing does not require a license but plan to bring some bait and tackle.

The Maine Beaches’ inland areas show off a more natural, almost untamed side of the region and are well worth exploring. Drop a line for the excitement of family bass fishing on our ideally situated ponds. Then once winter comes, these same lakes, like Great East Lake and Shapleigh’s Square Pond, offer up southern Maine’s best ice fishing with trophy-size togue and lake trout.