Wildlife Watching
Unspoiled nature at its best defines TRUE Maine.
Whale watch cruise on the Gulf of Maine
Schoodic Institute
Ways to Discover the Wildlife in Downeast Acadia
Wildlife for Families
n K
ids and families love getting in and
on the water, whether fresh or
salty: swimming, paddling, seeing
a lobster hauled from the deep.
n E
njoy a ranger-led hike in Acadia
National Park and Moosehorn
Wildlife Refuge. Stanwood
Wildlife Sanctuary in Ellsworth
is a hot birding destination.
Sandpipers and other on-shore
seabirds skitter in the surf.
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H
ead out for guided night paddle
of Castine Harbor filled with
glowing bioluminescent
organisms that will change
forever how you see the sea.
24 | DownEastAcadia.com
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o on a Kid’s Quest along the
G
Schoodic Scenic Byway. This
series of self-guide interactive
trails teach kids about wildlife
and the ecology of the region.
Try Tide Pooling
n Once the tide recedes take the
opportunity to uncover amazing
creatures under seaweed covered
rocks and in briny pools. Chase
scurrying crabs, sing a song to a
snail, hold a starfish aloft. Turn a
free time into lasting memories.
n xplore the day away at Seawall
E
and Wonderland on MDI, Roque
Bluffs State Park, or Shackford
Head State Park. Honestly any
stretch of rocky beach will keep
you busy for hours. Check the
local tide schedule for the next
low tide.
Hands-on Wildlife Encounters
n
n
V
isit the Maine Center for Coastal
Fisheries, Down East Institute, or
the Mount Desert Oceanarium for
touch tanks and programs on life
under the sea. (seasonal)
ake a nature cruise to view whales,
T
dolphins, and seals or nesting
puffins. Puffin trips depart out to
Petit Manan Island and many
others leave out of Bar Harbor,
Eastport, Milbridge, Lubec, and
Jonesport. (seasonal)