Sea Kayak
Stonington
Stonington, Maine
On Deer Isle
The Best Island-Hopping on the Maine Coast
Sea Kayak Trips - Rentals - Instruction - Shop
Sea Kayak Trips - Rentals - Instruction - Shop
Wondering where to kayak on the Maine coast?
Looking to paddle a stretch of the Maine Island Trail?
OPEN May 23 FOR 2025 SEASON!
Stonington, Maine
At the southern end of Deer Isle, we're at the gateway to Maine’s premier destination for sea kayakers, with a dense concentration of islands stretching to Isle au Haut, home to a remote section of Acadia National Park. Sea Kayak Stonington offers guided trips, rentals, lessons and a retail shop catering to paddlers. We are by far the most experienced guides in the area, with a fleet of new kayaks at our launch-side facility.
Guided Trips
- Custom private guided trips - go where you want at your own pace.
- Destination-oriented group trips for paddlers of all levels.
- Experienced guides provide coaching as desired.
-Quick access to stunning island destinations: beaches, a freshwater swimming hole or sunsets over Penobscot Bay.
Lessons
- Get more out of kayaking: learn or improve skills.
- Build confidence, paddle safer.
- Learn maneuvering skills (strokes, bracing & rolling).
- Learn journeying skills (navigation & planning, group management, crisis management & rescues).
- Join a class or get personalized private instruction. - Instructors are ACA-certified up to Level 4.
Rentals
- Fleet of new tandem or single kayaks with rudders.
- Skeg kayaks sometimes available (ask in advance).
- Rent for a short trip or an overnight expedition.
- Your safety is your responsibility: paddlers should have the skills needed to paddle and navigate independently.
Visit Our Shop
- A variety of kayak and camping gear and accessories.
- Snacks and dehydrated meals, stoves, tents & sleeping bags, paddle jackets, paddles, dry bags, water shoes, books & charts. We also have some surprising gifts and the coolest t-shirts around.
Short Excursion - 2.5 Hours
First paddler: $185
Each additional paddler: $45
Non-Private (min 4): $75 pp.
Each additional paddler: $45
Non-Private (min 4): $75 pp.
2-4 miles
1 island stop (if desired)
1 island stop (if desired)
Join a group or book your own custom private trip.
Trips
Full-Day Trip - 7 Hours
First paddler: $360
Each additional paddler $85
Non-Private (min 4) $145 pp.
Each additional paddler $85
Non-Private (min 4) $145 pp.
6-12 miles
multiple islands
multiple islands
Half-Day Trip - 4 Hours
First paddler: $210
Each additional paddler: $60
Non-private (min 4): $80 pp.
Each additional paddler: $60
Non-private (min 4): $80 pp.
4-6 miles
1-2 island stops
1-2 island stops
Mark Island Lighthouse
4 Hours
5 miles, 1-2 island stops
Non-Private (min 4): $80 pp.
Dates TBD
Or ask us to put on schedule
Wreck Island
Paddle-Hike-Swim
6 Hours, 5 miles
Hike Wreck Island (1.5 mile hike) .
Green Island - freshwater swim.
Dates TBD
Island Beach-Hopping
6 Hours
5-8 Miles
1-2 remote island beaches
Dates TBD
Green Island
2.5 hours, 2 miles
Swim in fresh water
quarry pond, hike the trail
Dates TBD
Sand Island Sunset
2.5 Hours (private trip)
3.5-4 miles, 1 island stop
2.5 Hours (private trip)
3.5-4 miles, 1 island stop
Sunset over Penobscot Bay
Dates TBD
We have a fleet of single and tandem kayaks available at our ramp facility with staff eager to help. Book online, stop by our shop or call 207/266-2717.
Bioluminescence Paddle
3 Hours
3 Hours
Paddle among bioluminescent organisms
Dates TBD
Dates TBD
Who We Are
We (Rebecca and Michael Daugherty) have lived and paddled in Stonington for the past two decades. Some may know us from our 12 years running Isalos Fine Art, others from our time at Old Quarry Ocean Adventures.
While we had the gallery, we became registered Maine Sea Kayak Guides, earned ACA Instructor certification and fell in love with sea kayaking, blending it with our own personal pursuits of painting and writing. Rebecca is inspired by the Maine islands our paddling takes us to, while Michael wrote AMC’s Best Sea Kayaking in New England as well as an account of the summer we took off to paddle the Maine coast.
We’re deeply connected to the places we like to share with our guests, as well as the craft that take us there. We’re joined by a super-talented crew of guides and staff who bring their particular skills and backgrounds to help us make Sea Kayak Stonington the best it can be.
