An extraordinary variety of places invites us around Phippsburg and Casco Bay. Rugged wave-swept cliffs, velvety marshes, quiet creeks, extensive bays. Join one of our pre-planned 3 hour tours or let us develop a paddling adventure just for your group.
Have a look at the wonderfully varied environments for kayaking in the Phippsburg area of mid-coast Maine
To help everyone get out kayaking and enjoying themselves, each other and the natural world SAFELY during this hard time, the prices shown below are a 15% discount.
We combine Social Distancing, Masks and Hygiene for safety .
For the time being we will not provide snacks or lunch, so please bring your own.
We offer several shorter, COVID-safe trips each week which up to 6 people can join for great paddling adventures on a budget. Seals, osprey, bald eagles and other wildlife are frequent companions. These are "mix and match" groups of singles, doubles, and triples. Choose a trip, then look at the calendar below for its dates and times. Call for availability and booking. Then you can pay by clicking the photo of the trip you want.
The Civil War granite walls of Fort Popham loom over us as we visit the site of the 1607 Popham Colony's primitive Fort St. George, as well as the classic 1883 Hunniwell Life Saving Station.
We paddle from a serene beach along Maine's bold rocky shore, looking out over the island studded ocean to a working harbor stuffed with lobster boats and wooden wharfs (Parking for this trip needs a Town permit, so we need your car info).
The rocky remnants of the shipyard that built the last square-rigged ship, an 1800's Life Saving Station, and exploring marshy creeks and craggy islands are highlights of this popular trip.
Paddle by the Zumwalt "stealth" destroyer at the Bath Iron Works (BIW) shipyard as well as the cod schooner at Maine Maritime Museum, plus the lighthouse and lifesaving station at Doubling Point.
Secluded and with a heavy legacy Malaga Island provides beautiful, fascinating paddling and hiking.
These custom trips for YOUR OWN GROUP expand on the mini-trips above, and focus on YOUR INTERESTS. Your trip includes all paddling gear (kayak, paddle, pfd) and instruction as desired.
offer diverse ecology, paddling conditions and sense of space. There's also plenty of wildlife and history (like Phippsburg's forts & lighthouses).
feel intimate and gentle. They are biologically rich and more protected from weather. Usually the paddling is easy and very tidal.
challenge you with dramatic scenery and sometimes more demanding paddling
conditions. Vast ocean views studded with islands will stir the soul.
*Additional people are $85 each, up to a maximum group of six. Add fishing for $75 (no license needed). Contact us!
*Additional people are $85 each, up to a maximum group of six. Add fishing for $75 (no license needed). Contact us!
*Additional people are $85 each, up to a maximum group of six. Add fishing for $75 (no license needed). Contact us!
We start with the destroyer shipyard in Bath, passing numerous lighthouse/life-saving stations. There are lots of islands for us to stop on and wildlife to see. We finish at imposing granite Fort Popham from the Civil War, where the Kennebec meets the ocean.
*Additional people are $225 each + food up to a maximum group of six. Your trip includes all meals, paddling and camp gear (kayak, paddle, pfd, tent) . ** see my Notes on Food below
Our kayaking camps can be basic or more comfortable, depending on your preference and budget. This photo shows a more deluxe” island camp with gas grill, tables, stools, lanterns, enabled by powerboat support. Let's talk about your vision.
We can supply higher-end camping with our 18 ft powerboat, "EndorFIN" to allow more comfort and convenience than we can carry ourselves while kayaking (like lanterns, chairs/stools, etc & food coolers). We can even get you to more remote islands where your kayaks are waiting. Call for details and pricing to accommodate your vision.
There's nothing like a fire under the stars, the sounds and smells of the tide and waves to remind you of your connections and the value of kayaking to a camp.
Cooking in camp is a traditional and enjoyable part of guiding ... plus we gotta eat! But the menu that you hope for can vary from survival to spectacular. It's your choice and depends on our goals for the trip. Your choices will influence pricing because "classic" camp food tends to be basic. It's tasty as can be, but its also lightweight and compact, less perishable, less costly, needs less refrigeration and is less challenging to find. That's why the old-timers (and modern-
day expeditions) go that way. But there's a lot to be said for the more gourmet or health focused menus, which have the opposite characteristics of "classic", including cost and associated work. Therefore you and I will talk about the food you want, and figure costs accordingly. Estimate $15-25 each person/day for "classic" meals but up to $50 for higher end fare. An option is for you to shop and bring the food, which gives you complete control over selection and price.
With appropriate weather conditions we can take you for ice and snow adventures hiking and kayaking. We usually do 2-4 hr trips. CALL or email!
To maximize safety in this challenging season we plan our trips in beautiful, relatively protected waters to avoid waves and strong currents.
It's all in knowing how and where. We can show you a remarkable world of winter beauty and challenge that few experience.
Both water and land change character and we adapt our methods to meet and enjoy this unique environment.
Weather is something over which we have no control but it can influence any paddling trip for better or worse. It can be cold, hot, wet, windy, thundery, or foggy. All in one trip! Judgment, skill and equipment are crucial for our safety, comfort, and enjoyment, so we will plan and equip carefully. And then we adapt to the actual day so that changing conditions are fun rather than frightening or dangerous. As conditions develop we will be flexible to keep things fun and safe. Weather cancellations are rare, but if necessary we are usually able to re-schedule.
Tides can turn a watery cove into a dry mudflat, or a placid bay into a powerful current. Our ability to use tidal currents to our advantage (instead of fighting them!) will influence our choice of time and route; it is a vital part of planning. We also choose carefully to ensure there is enough of water when/where we depart AND RETURN. You'll enjoy learning more about these factors as we discuss your trip. And during the paddling adventure you'll experience them first hand as we monitor our progress.
Everyone's safety is the top priority on any kayaking trip. Safety resources include knowledge of your health/medical status (there's a downloadable questionnaire below which must be filled out). Safety also means having appropriate clothing and equipment (downloadable checklists are also below). In addition there are risks that we must address specifically for the paddling activities we do, so that both the group and guide function together to totally manage risks like injury or capsizing. We start each trip with a safety briefing and review.
We provide snacks, lunches and camp meals that are tasty, nutritious, durable and readily available. We are aware these days that many people have unique dietary requirements (vegetarian, vegan, etc), as well as serious allergies, or just plain preferences.
Below is a downloadable list of the food items that we typically provide for snacks and lunches. Please make your selections from it and email it back it so I know what you want.
IF YOU HAVE SPECIAL PREFERENCES AND NEEDS PLEASE PROVIDE FOR THEM YOURSELF. The risks of disappointment or medical issues, as well as the cost of accommodating some of the more "specific" dietary needs for certain clients are beyond our guiding job description. Thanks!
Sometimes we use a powerboat to get to distant places with our kayaks, just like you might use your car. Here's a video showing how we get in and out.