Chewonki Foundation: Maine Coast Sea Kayak

Discover the Bold Coast. We spend time training and preparing at Chewonki before traveling on our journey along the coast. Launching at Chewonki’s waterfront we head for Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park. We each carry gear in solo expedition sea kayaks, the modern version of the Inuit skin boat, and we spend the majority of our nights on islands. Find out more!

Our journey begins in the protected waters around Chewonki Neck in Wiscasset Maine, and as our skills and confidence increase, we travel to the spruce-covered islands of Penobscot Bay. Along the way we encounter seabirds, seals and, perhaps, whales. All while becoming part of the iconic Maine coast which includes busy working waterfronts, fishermen on their rounds, and pristine islands.

Participants learn expeditionary sea kayaking skills, including paddling strokes, wet exits, rescue, group travel and weather reading. As the trip progresses, paddlers acquire expertise in navigation and saltwater camping, and eventually, each takes on a leadership role. Throughout the experience there is a strong emphasis on learning coastal ecology and maritime history. Kayaks ply waters where bigger, sailing boats may not venture, so we enjoy wonderful interactions with sea life.