Kayak Casco Bay

This kayaking adventure begins at East End Beach at the Eastern Promenade in Portland. There is an easy boat launch zone if you have your own sea kayaks, but if you need to rent, Portland Paddle is right at the launch zone! It is $45 for 2 hours with a tandem sea kayak, which is what we opted for.

If you are not familiar with sea kayaking or how to a recover a capsized kayak, it is best to stay near the coast. By doing this, you add a little extra distance overall, but the waves aren't as prominent near the coast. It is about 2 miles to paddle from East End Beach to one of the side coastal beaches on Mackworth Island. At that point you can just sit and enjoy the views of Portland or opt to hike around the island (a 1.5mile loop with gorgeous views of the bay all the way around). 

Give yourself some extra time to head back because it will be going against the current. For us the wind had picked up a good bit, so it took about an hour to paddle back. There are plenty of other places to paddle from the East End launch point. You could explore Fort Gorges or paddle all the way to Peaks Island if you are looking for an all day adventure. This is a great way to enjoy a new perspective on Portland and to get some exercise!