We recently took our annual father/son camping trip up the coast to Maine Kayak for 3 days and 2 nights on the ocean camping and adventuring. First, for the amount we got at the price we got, you cannot afford to NOT do this trip because it is the best bang for your dollar on the planet. Now, to the more important stuff. Our guide, Hauns, was hands down the nest guide I've ever had on any trip, and I've taken plenty. He was engaged yet not overbearing, instructful but not over the top know it all, he made our vacation feel like a vacation, and by the end of the trip he was border line family. @mainekayak is hands down the best trip you can take managed by the best people around. You will never forget tour adventure with Hauns and I cannot encourage people enough to get out of their comfort zone (or even for the experienced) and pick up a paddle and get on the water with Hauns and Maine Kayak. You won't regret it!!!!​ read more

Just finished the four-day inn to inn trip and loved it. We paddled about ten miles a day around shorelines and to several outer islands. Wonderful to have a hot shower, tasty dinner, and comfy bed after all that exertion. Alvah is a knowledgeable guide who went above and beyond to give us a safe and varied adventure. Kelly retrieved my meds from our car on day two, driving hours with a smile. All in all, a wonderful vacation on which we made new friends. read more

We had a great experience on our island overnight trip with Maine Kayak. We spent 2 beautiful days on the water and one night camping on Hog Island. Alvah's preparation and guidance was very helpful and we appreciated his flexibility and responsiveness to our goals and needs. The equipment, food and interesting history and nature information was fabulous. I highly recommend Maine Kayak and hope to return myself for another adventure. read more

We had the a wonderful guided sunset tour this evening! It was peaceful and beautiful. We saw a bunch of curious playful seals! Our guide Andrew was super-- had lots of knowledge about wildlife to share, tips about kayaking when needed and was just the most pleasant person to spend an evening with on the water! The sunset was gorgeous. read more

Maine Kayak - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - New Harbor, Maine

This was our second 2 day camping trip with Maine Kayak. Hauns was our guide both times. We had an amazing time, learned so much and can't wait to come back again next summer. Maine Kayak was great to work with, they were helpful in finding accommodations near by the night before. They provided good instruction pre trip and provided all the equipment needed. Thank you Maine Kayak, see you again next summer. read more

Earlier this summer, some friends and I decided that we wanted to kayaking off the coast of Maine for a day. We were taking a day off during the week to do this. So, we left our planning to kind of the last minute. Little did we know, this would not come together as easily as we'd hoped. Turns out people like kayaking while on vacation in Maine. After calling around to a few different places (and almost going with one outfit that was a little suspect to say the least - "Meet me in the Dunkin' Donuts parking lot. I'll be in a gold van."), Maine Kayak Tours was able to squeeze us in for a Half Day Adventure. We initially had hoped for the full day, but all agreed when it was said and done, it worked out for the best. Maine Kayak has a little hut off a back road in New Harbor, ME. It wasn't the easiest to find, but I had a good navigator in the passenger seat and we made it there a little before our 9 AM start time. Upon arrival, we were greeted by all of the employees who were prepping for the various outings scheduled for the day. Everyone was very friendly and knowledgeable. As I've found with most outdoor adventure companies, the people that work there have a passion for what they do and it shines through. No exception here. We spent the morning with Noah out on the ocean around Pemaquid Point. It was just myself and my 2 friends out on the trip, which worked in our favor. We all had experience and confidence in our abilities. Noah seemed to believe in us as well. The seas were a little on the rougher side that day, even though it was sunny and hot. But we managed to paddle over some pretty intense swells, not have any dumps into the ocean, and got to see some pretty great coast line from a different vantage point. If you are looking for a day on the water, I highly recommend checking out Maine Kayak. I had a very positive experience from the booking to confirmation to arrival to the adventure and back. All around 5 stars! I look forward to going with them again in the future. read more

We did the Muscongus Bay day trip. It was amazing. However, in the itinerary, there was mention of self-rescue techniques. This was not taught. We were hoping to learn this so we wouldn't have to take another training elsewhere. We were under the impression that alongside the wonderful tour, we'd actually learn safety techniques that would allow us to go out solo later. I'm not sure how safe I feel doing that. I called and talked with the owner. He said that shouldn't have been on the list of offerings. He did say he'd teach us these things at the end of September, but I can't really wait until then, at the end of summer, when I won't be able to use them any longer. Nor am I 100% convinced he'd remember by then. Summer in Maine is insane so he'd likely forget. Overall, the guide was amazing. He was super friendly, knowledgeable, and had some really awesome stories and what he did teach us was useful. The trip was gorgeous and we got to swim and hang out at some great beaches and eat a fabulous lunch. If you want to just take a tour and enjoy Maine, this is the day trip for you. If you want to be empowered to head out on your own after this, I'm not sure this is the trip for you. read more

My friends and I had a great time here. The kayaks were nice and it was exactly the type of experience we wanted. Thanks Jeff. I'd do it again read more

My friends and I did a 2 day sea kayaking adventure with these guys this past week. This was the greatest trip ever! Everything was prepared for us. They made all the meals and provided snacks. They even accommodated my gluten alergy. Jeff was an amazing guide. If you can request him do so!!! He has his degree in Marine Biology and answered all of our crazy Michigan questions about the ocean and the wildlife. Noah was also a wonderful guide helping with our extra large group. He was wonderful for tips on how to handle kayaks. He was nice and stayed with a small group of us that wanted to play with the seals in the water. He was even the responsible one that made us leave when the fog rolled in fast. Lots of great wildlife, memories and fun times to be had by all. The food was awesome and very very plentiful. No one could say they went hungry or thirsty. Best kayaking trip ever and I have gone on alot! read more

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"Arn't I wicked lucky." That's what I thought when we launched our (tiny) boats for the white water kayaking course on the West Branch of the Penibscot. I'm a beginner with a lot of imagination on what could go wrong. Alvah the instructor has years of experience managing hysterical, inexperienced and a bit crazy (myself) rafters and kayakers. I would trust very few others on this river. He really made it look so easy. and was patient, safe, considerate and extremely knowledgeable. He was very conscious of how all of us were doing physically - and chose the best options for us. No arrogance (which can be an issue with sport lessons). He's been here since he was 6, and loves the river like his son (who was a great adventurer on the making), along with his wife who is a guru of all things current in conservationism and environmentalism in Maine. (ask about the dams on the river). I feel lucky to have come across this family team. Some helpful facts: would be good to bring your own neoprene booties - as some of the others can be a bit 'ripe.' Don't be afraid to ask questions - seek advice. If ur in for a real outdoor adventure, ask Alvah about the best camp sites on the river. There are some amazing ones. Ask questions about the water, the waves, the currents and the river. You'll enjoy it if you can handle the challenge - cause no joke - it is white water kayaking and can easily get the adventure adrenaline pumping. read more

Maine Kayak - White water kayaking on the West Branch of the Penobscot. Wicked good fun. - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - New Harbor, Maine

We had a fabulous trip with wonderful guides! We went on the wildlife trip with Hanz and Oliver; some of our group had lots of experience but most of us had no experience kayaking. They gave us great instruction and helped us to be comfortable in the water very quickly. Both guides were very knowledgeable, pointing out lots of wildlife and giving interesting facts, and both were very funny and chatty. It was such a fun trip, I would love to go again! read more

I bought a used kayak on behalf of my family last year. It's a good boat; everybody likes it. While some children were using it on Monhegan Island this summer my mother-in-law got a garbled report that the paddle had broken in use. She called Maine Kayak and asked what to do. Alva sent a replacement paddle across to her on the next ferry from New Harbor. It turned out that the broken paddle was actually a cheap plastic thing that one of the kids had picked up. When we returned the replacement a few days later, Alva kindly forgave us for the extra trouble that we put him to. Thanks for the support, Maine Kayak! WF read more

This was our third trip with Maine Kayak (since 2004) and our first inn to inn sea kayaking trip. It's the thing of dreams really. We are intermediate level paddlers, but don't do much open water kayaking. Jeff was our guide and between informative tidbits (from this marine biologist) to deep conversations and lots of laughs, we couldn't have asked for more. Learned more tips to refine our skills on the water as well. The gear is high quality and impeccably cared for. Itineraries are thoughtful and fit the bill for enthusiastic paddlers who want lots of water time as well as less experienced. Now.....back to dreaming about our next trip. read more

This outfit is terrific. We're a family with 13 & 14 yo boys and we had a tremendous time with Maine Kayak. Al is super friendly and helpful, and Oliver is an amazingly knowledgable and courteous guide. We spent a morning with them in New Harbor. We got some great kayaking fundamentals and tips, kayaks that were up to date and in excellent shape, and best of all, a great tour of the surrounding harbor and nearby island. Oliver discussed and pointed out the many types of shore birds, and we talked about the marine environment, including the fish and lobstering. We also saw some adorable seals! They provide all the equipment, do all the lifting, and all we had to do was paddle, learn and enjoy! Maine Kayak is on our list for next year already. read more

We had a great sunset kayak trip, and our guides Oliver and Holly were excellent! They quickly taught our inexperienced son to be a confident paddler, and the trip was a wonderful family experience. In addition to the beautiful sunset, we saw seals,ospreys, and the gorgeous Maine coast. Highly recommended. read more

Why are there no reviews of this place yet? I've been eyeballing it for the past few summers when we've returned to Maine for a family visit, but never had enough time to actually go on a tour. This spring, I finally went - and loved it! It was the first outing of the season, so the group was small (even better). Alva, the owner and our guide, was mellow and super friendly. We had to be flexible due to changing weather, but once we were there we were in great hands. On the water, Alva was part instructor, part naturalist, part meteorologist - which made the paddle south to Round Pond even more enjoyable. Sea birds and harbor seals everywhere! For lunch, we were treated to a delicious lobster roll and steamed clams from a local co-op. Sadly, the wind had cranked up to 20+ knots in the afternoon, so us beginners opted to just paddle around the sheltered cove the rest of the day (arms got enough of a workout just doing that). I'd definitely return for another safe, fun trip in beautiful Muscongus Bay - a great way to see the Maine coastline! read more

I just returned from a trip to New Harbor and spending a day with our Awesome guide Jeff. He was incredibly knowledgeable about marine life (has a degree in marine biology), local history and all of the animals on the bay. He was a blast to spend the day with and was eager to do whatever we wanted or needed for a great trip. I highly recommend Maine kayak and especially Jeff. I will be back and will certainly ask for him! read more

We had a great experience with this place. There were super helpful on the phone when I made a reservation, and also in person. Rented 4 kayaks for 2 hours. Paddling in the bay was fun. It was a bit windy on the way back so we ran over our allotted time. But they understood the problem and didn't charge us extra. We might try a guided tour next time. In any case, Maine Kayak will be a regular part of our trip in Maine in future years. There are double kayaks - good to pair an adult with younger child. read more

For our 10-year wedding anniversary, my wife and I decided to take a trip up to Maine for the four day Johns Bay Inn-to-Inn sea kayaking adventure with Maine Kayak. From start to finish, it was an absolutely perfect experience. Although typically there are more kayakers on the Inn-to-Inn trip, we lucked out and it ended up being just the two of us, along with our incredibly fun and talented guide, Jeff. Over the four days, we traced the shores of Johns Bay, the Damariscotta River, and Linekin Bay, stopping at rocky islands and lighthouses for hikes and lunch, and docking at the Christmas Cove Inn on nights 1 and 3, and Ocean Point Inn and Resort on night 2 (although I understand this may be changing in the future). Jeff was 100% fantastic. Genuine, fun-loving, and an honest worker. Right off the bat you could tell he had taken the time to read the informational bios we filled out before the trip, because from the moment we shook hands he was telling us a little about ourselves. Although there's a very well thought out itinerary for the Inn-to-Inn trip that Maine Kayak has prepared, Jeff took the time to customize it to our interests and skill levels (which for two pretty in shape people meant Jeff was ready to go above and beyond the beaten path). Early on I had mentioned I was a bit of a history buff, so what does Jeff do, but spend his evenings researching even more of the history of the islands than he already knew. Now THAT's customer service. Jeff also made sure we were completely comfortable and well fed/watered throughout the trip, imparting his skills and knowledge of the sea kayak upon us that we'll never forget, and make us ready to get back up there again! Cannot say enough about how happy we were with every aspect of this trip. The perfect blend of adventure by day, and comfort by night. Thanks Maine Kayak, and thanks Jeff! read more

We went on the overnight sea kayak trip at the end of July with Jeff and Noah as our guides. This trip was absolutely phenomenal and I would recommend it to anyone! Getting to see Maine that way was an amazing experience. Jeff and Noah were both very knowledgeable and made the trip even better. We got to see so much beautiful island coastline, several secluded beaches, watch the fog roll in over the pine trees, and even kayak amidst a group of harbor seals. Camping on Crow Island was a beautiful and serene experience, and Jeff and Noah made sure we were well taken care of at all times. The food was both plentiful and delicious. Overall it was just a great time full of beautiful sights and a great natural way to experience the spirit of Maine! read more

I took the wildlife tour which is a gentle two- three hour tour about the harbor and a little island. We saw harbor seals (amazing!!!!) and got really close to cormorants, thankfully we didn't see a gull taking an Eider duck but it was a close call! Tip- wear polarizing sunglasses so you can see the fish, I didn't but that didn't stop me seeing all the lion jelly fish. A really fun tour which I would recommend to anyone. read more

My wife and I did a two-day sea kayaking trip with Maine Kayak during our honeymoon and it was fantastic. They made sure we had all the gear we needed, and dry bags for our overnight stuff. We kayaked for half a day to explore the coastline and islands, stopped on an island for a packed lunch, then continued and eventually reached our take-out point at Christmas Cove. We stayed at the Unique Yankee Bed & Breakfast that night. It was a beautiful large house that we shared with one other couple. We had a delicious dinner that night at a restaurant nearby ($25/person was included in the cost of the trip). The next morning after breakfast we set out to explore some more on our way back to the starting point. Our guide David was very experienced for his young age. We threw a lot of questions at him and he had willing answers for almost everything, from questions all about the wildlife to questions about the local lobster economy. We saw seals, loons, ospreys, eagles, arctic turins, cormorants, and of course sea gulls. I recommend this outfitter, and this trip. read more