Sea Kayaking
New Meadows River - Harpswell
Brunswick, Maine
Easy, pretty and fun day in a rented kayak!
by Dana Farnsworth, Outdoor Travels
Looking for something different to do in the Portland, Maine area? Try renting a kayak. Sounds simple enough, right? Well truth be told, in the Portland area, it’s not exactly that simple. In a coastal state that is fairly well know for its canoeing and kayaking, finding a kayak rental company wasn’t an easy task. In the area surrounding Portland, there was one and only one company. When there is only one of something, you have to hope for the best. The Sea Spray Kayaking company didn’t disappoint. Situated on the banks of the New Meadows River in Brunswick, they offered rentals ranging from sit-on-tops right up to a full blown sea kayak. We chose sporting kayaks from Wilderness Systems.
The New Meadows River is a popular spot for boating. Even with it’s its “river” designation, the New Meadows is a true sea kayaking experience. The eight mile north to south run is entirely salt water, and entirely tidal. Nice summer cottages and posh houses dot the shore line in parts as it spills into the Atlantic ocean via a labyrinth of coves and long finger like islands. There is literally so much to explore in this area, even the fittest and fastest kayaker could be out for a couple of days and not see every nook and cranny. This area is unlike a park in that there are no real boundaries. You get in your boat and paddle for as long or as little as you desire. Several of the islands around the New Meadows River are owned by the state Bureau of Parks and Lands and designated as part of the Maine Island Trail; a 325-mile-long waterway for small boats extending from Casco Bay to Machias. For camping opportunities, one could take advantage of the state-owned islands. Our paddle was a day paddle originating from Sea Spray’s Kayak center. There are several other access points for those with their own craft. The official boat launch on Bath Road (Old Rte 1) east of Cook's Corner in Brunswick, Sabino, a town-owned landing in West Bath and a boat yard in Cundy's Harbor.
As I mentioned before, the New Meadows tidal. It can be paddled at any time of the tide, but is best enjoyed between the three hours before and after high tide. Lower water exposes acres of mud flats and limits your paddling options if you decide to extend your paddling explorations out into the wider portions of the river which also places you in the main channel with the power boaters. The ocean winds can also be a factor. The winds can definitely add a level of difficulty if you are trying to paddle down the river. So consider paddling early morning and late afternoon and check out the tide situation before heading out.
Our paddle today was an enjoyable short one from Sea Spray Kayaking’s shop New Meadows Road, down the New Meadows River for two miles to Thomas Point for a lunch break. After lunch we explore red around a little and then headed back riding the tidal current in for a leisurely paced return. We spotted a number of water birds including a kingfisher, osprey, heron, comorants and a pair of hawks. Unfortunately, no seals were to be seen by us today.
As usual, we completed our day in search of a few cold beers. Once again, there wasn’t any let down - the nearby brew pub called The Salty Dog served up tasty brew, good food and a very cool atmosphere.
Snapshot
Trail(s): Approximately 8 salt water miles and plenty more once you exit the river into the Atlantic
Difficulty: Easy, but could be moderate against the tide or in a stiff headwind
Outdoor Travels Rating:
2.75 out of 5 paddles for ease of access, wildlife and scenery
Thumbs Up
- Easy to rent kayaks
- Lot's of birds to see
- Chance of spotting seals
- Camping opportunities
Thumbs Down
- Unless you paddle for several miles out into the Atlantic, you'r never too far from a house or cottage.
Nuts and Bolts
Lodging: Several Islands are owned by the state Bureau of Parks and are available for camping. There are also several bed and breakfasts are accessible by boat and can be strung together for a multi-day trip.
Activities: Power boating is allowed, sailing, canoeing and kayaking too.
Maps and Stuff
Nautical Map
Coming soon!
Photos
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