Machias Bay Kayak Tours

A kayak tour is a FUN and memorable activity for your Maine vacation. Machias Bay's exciting combination of wildlife, island scenery, and history make kayaking here a special experience. Our local, knowledgable guides will help bring these diverse aspects to life making your Machias Bay kayak tour safe, fun, and memorable.

Comfortable, Stable Kayaks

Although most of our guests have no prior experience in a kayak, they are pleasantly surprised at the comfort, stability, and effortless steering of our two-person sea kayaks. Folks are amazed at how enjoyable this truly unique perspective of coastal scenery and wildlife can be.

Friendly, Knowledgable Guides

Each trip is led by a Registered Maine Sea Kayak Guide who will brief you on safety and proper paddling technique before leaving shore and help you identify wildlife and points of interest during the trip.

Relaxed Pace

The relaxed pace of our trips allows time to focus on the wonders we may encounter along the way. A scenic stop halfway gives everyone time to stretch, enjoy a snack, relax a bit, or explore before continuing on with the second part of our trip.

Some of the wildlife and points of interest we may see on our Machias Bay kayak tours are harbor seals, bald eagles, petroglyphs, various shorebirds, diverse geology, the birthplace of the United States Navy, and coastal island scenery.

Wildlife

One of the highlights of the Machias Bay kayak tour is it affords an excellent opportunity to view harbor seals from a kayak. Of course like any wild animal, you never know when or if they will show up, but there is a high possibility of viewing these beautiful creatures on our trip. Machias Bay also has a number of nesting Bald Eagles and there is a decent chance of seeing mature, juvenile, or yearling Bald Eagles.

Petroglyphs

petroglyph trips Petroglyphs are pictures often depicting humans, animals, spirits, visions, or events that are dinted (chiselled) into rock. The petroglyphs in Machias Bay are believed to have been created by Native Americans since the last ice age. This rare and precious artwork speaks for itself, however your guide will offer interpretation including historical information as well as some ideas about their significance, past and present.

The Battle of the Margaretta

Machias Bay is recognized as the birthplace of the United States Navy. Captain (and eventual privateer) Jeremiah O'brien commanded a small sloop (later named the Unity) against the British naval ship Margaretta, boarding and capturing the vessel off Round Island in Machias Bay.

What to Bring

For kayaking, we recommend wearing something on your feet that you don't mind getting wet, shorts or light pants, a seasonable top with an extra layer (fleece, jacket, etc.), and a hat that provides sun protection. Other items you may want are sunscreen, sunglasses, binoculars, camera, snack, and water. We provide dry bags for you to pack items in.

Weather

Our Machias Bay kayak tours run daily from May-October, except on very windy or stormy days. Foggy summer days can be very special days for viewing seals and birdlife from the quiet of a kayak.

Scheduling

Your activities can be planned according to the time you have to spend in Downeast Maine. We recommend that you plan your trip early in your vacation in case weather forces rescheduling.

Reservations

To make reservations

1/2 Day Kayak Tour Rates 2008
Machias Bay 1/2 Day Tour $48 pp
Machias Bay Family Tour $48 pp

* Tours scheduled June thru September

* Tours meet in Machias, Maine

* Participants on trips with less than 4 participants will be given the option to run the trip at the custom trip rate.

Register for a Trip Now

Reservation & Cancelation Policy .pdf

Liability Form for Day Trips .pdf

Directions to our Machias Location .pdf