Alumni Trips | Alumni Courses | Reunions | Seminars

Maine Coast Sea Kayaking

Maine's granite coast.  Photo: Doug Lowry

September 21 - 27, 2008

Join a small group of NOLS grads and instructors for a week of spectacular paddling in Maine's Deer Island Archipelago in early autumn.

This sea kayaking adventure explores some of the hundreds of islands scattered along the Deer Island Archipelago just south of Acadia National Park in Maine. Many of Maine’s islands are connected and regulated through the Maine Island Trail Association, a non-profit organization that promotes the careful usage of both private and public lands throughout Maine’s outstanding coastline. We will island camp and paddle among the spruce, granite and clear waters that make Maine famous. As we step out of our boats for short hikes on the Isle au Haut or Green Island we will step back into centuries of maritime history.

The trip starts and ends at Old Quarry Ocean Adventures in Stonington, Maine. We will start at 3 p.m. on the 21st with a short introduction and orientation to the week before a gear check and kayak packing class. We'll make dinner and stay at a group site at Old Quarry on September 21. The next morning, after breakfast, we will pack our boats, work on some introductory skills and paddle off to our first destination of the week. We will paddle in a loop, camping on two or three islands, depending on conditions. Some days we will do day trips in relatively empty boats. We will return to Old Quarry on the morning of the 27th for gear cleaning, showers and a lunch banquet. You are welcome to stay with us at the campground on the 27th, but the trip is officially over after our lunch.  

Plan to bring along your camera and binoculars for sightings of mink, seals, deer and a variety of coastal birds. September is a great time to visit the area, warm days, cool nights and autumn colors are the norm. Our days will be full, but designed to balance exploring, relaxing, skill building, cooking and eating really well.

This trip is for all skill levels, from beginner to expert. We will provide opportunities to learn a wide variety of skills depending on participant’s interest and abilities. Basic and advanced strokes, navigation, on water leadership and decision-making are just a few of the skills we will practice. Participants will get a chance to paddle a number of hard-shelled kayaks, both singles and doubles as we travel in a variety of conditions that could include light wind and chop, fog or flat-calm sunny days Of course, non-alumni friends and family members are also invited— this is a great way to introduce NOLS to your sidekicks.

Cost: $1200— this includes instruction, group equipment, food on the trail and kayaking gear.

Maine Sea Kayaking Dates: September 21 - 27, 2008 Duration: 7 days Cost: $1200 Average Age: 49 Typical Female/Male Mix: 29/71% Course start/end: Stonington, Maine Activity Rating : (this is a subjective rating of anticipated physical difficulty- weather, route, and the group mix can combine to make trips more or less "difficult" —higher numbers mean more challenge.)   Sea kayaking means the boats carry the gear, but you'll still need to load/unload and paddle 'em around- even in the wind. Fly in/out: Portland International Jetport, Maine (code: PWM), Bangor, Maine (code: BGR), or Bar Harbor, Maine (code: BHB). Downloads: Detailed Trip Description (pdf) including travel and equipment information Application (pdf)

The Detailed Trip Description will answer your questions, but if you're stumped by something, email us.