We enjoyed being able to kayak at sea and go out to Fort Gorges, it was a very unique experience when visiting Maine. The day we went it was quite windy, so therefore the waters were quite choppy. But once you get past the shipping channel then the waters calm down. The island is decently maintained by another group, and some areas are locked if you are not part of an "official" tour. But you can still go inside and walk around to get a feel for it all.

This is a terrific tour if you want a half day commitment and overview of beautiful Casco Bay. Go with Alex our guide. So knowledgeable about Maine, great teacher ( I got some great tips on paddling and steering technique) and so easy to talk to and such a fun person. We had fun, great conversations the whole morning. We visited an island and circled a few others. They gear you up with jackets and shoes and sea skirts and have great equipment. Run, don't walk. This is the place! They are also located in East Portland near Washington Avenue and great restaurants for lunch after your paddle. Alex gave us great recs. What a great day!

Great Downeast Ramble led by Eric around the islands off of Jonesport! Fun paddling, fantastic scenery, and terrific company. And friendly seals! Totally enjoyed it!

We had a tremendous experience kayaking out to Fort Gorges and back, led by our excellent tour guide and kayak instructor Joe. Our guide first provided a very comprehensive overview of how to operate a kayak, and what we could expect out on the Bay. Joe was with us at all times on the water, giving us added instruction and he made everyone on our group feel safe and comfortable. But most of all, we had fun and we were all novices so no concerns to anyone without experience. And we definitely got a lot of time on the water. So it was a great time and I would recommend Portland Paddle highly to anyone looking for a fun day out in the water with first class guides.

Excellent customer service, instructor tips were fun and helpful. Kayaking among the sailboats and under the pier was spectacular! Highly recommend, great experience.

Worth every penny. We actually paddled a sizable distance, which I really appreciated as I wanted to exercise, not just float. The seals were abundant. So many seals at some point it was hard to focus on just one. Really enjoyed Suzanne’s company, her guiding skills, and her knowledge of the area. Highly recommend.

If you are new to ocean kayaking or would like a weekend to work on basic kayaking skills this is the class for you! Henry did an excellent job coaching and guiding; he was very patient and shared his wealth of knowledge. The scenery was beautiful and I loved the class schedule. Day 1 was focused on strokes and rescue/recovery techniques and day 2 reinforced everything we learned on the first day plus a 9 mile paddle to tie everything together. This class was just what I needed for a good workout, confidence building and to clear my head. Thanks Henry and the Portland Paddle Team!

We had a private family trip (end of July 24) with Suzanne Blackburn our guide, her tour proposal was excellent and ... pretty much adapted to our levels!! The good conditions allowed us to do a great scouting along the coast of Portland and its islands (Cushing, House). We have much appreciated Suzanne's good advices, tips and extensive knowledge (wildlife, portland history) about the sea life of Portland Bay. We were also able to visit Fort Gorges as an extra piece in her program. What a great expérience and a good way to explore this beautiful region. Thanks very much Suzan for that, we came back to Europe with great souvenirs. Luc Karen and Owen.

A beautiful and invigorating late summer afternoon paddle. Our guide, Suzanne, was terrific and clearly deeply experienced both in guiding and in the wonders of the greater Portland coastal area. She guided us carefully past the ferries, speedboats and sailboats out into the beautiful open water of the attached picture. She also had a lot of interesting details to share about the history of the islands as well as the behaviors of the birds that enriched the experience. The sea kayak I was in felt perfect for the challenges of this paddle. I returned to land both tired and refreshed.

Sea kayaking intro part 2 was great with Michael. He adapted his teaching to wants and needs of the group. Learned about how to read map and interpret weather conditions unique to sea kayaking and took a nice paddle afterwards. I definitely feel better equipped to paddle in Casco Bay and beyond safely! I plan to take the final set of the intro courses soon. Would recommend to locals or tourist looking to see Portland in a different way and learn a skill.

We did the three day Muscongus trip with Henry as our guide. The sea was sparkling, the islands we camped on were lovely, and Henry was an excellent guide! He planned an adventurous tour of a lovely part of the Maine coast, ensuring that everybody was paddling at their best and within their comfort level. At night we relaxed from the days adventures, or went off exploring the island, and Henry prepared us delicious meals. A perfect summer weekend!

While the views were gorgeous it wasn't the best trip overall fora 4 hour tour. The biggest thing that stuck out was I was the only solo kayaker and the rest were all in groups (2 people per kayak). It was a great workout but it didn't feel as if I was a part of the group as I did take longer to catch up. By the time I caught up, they were ready to continue. It was rather uncomfortable for the majority of the trip as it felt I was the odd one in the group. When the 4 hour trip was over, my family that was waiting for me informed me that every other group tour guide after us asked if the solo kayakers would want to be paired up. I don't recall given this option before we set out and would prefer it in the end. It's a great trip if you have someone with you. If going solo, the shorter tours may be better unless you you very experienced.

This was my third time traveling with Portland Paddle and I was not disappointed. All of my expectations of the kayaking between the vast islands, camping and exploring super islands and viewing wildlife were exceeded. For example we witnesses several Eagle landing, Osprey, Seals, Dolphins and Minks. As a bonus two other guests were such a delete, from Montreal, preparing for two week trip to kayak in Greenland. We shared our experiences and became fast friends over our four days. Finally, I don't know how he does it, but our guide was Kyle, not onlyis he patient, but he is a great steward and docent of the Maine Coast, only exceeded by the creative meals that he prepared for us morning noon and nite! I am already looking forward to a five day excursion with Portland Paddle in the summer of 2025! - Scott

We spontaneously booked a 2 hour paddle (without a guide) and it was a highlight of our trip! It happened to be low tide and we paddled out to the little island and we found so many fun shells!

A great way to experience Casco Bay and Fort Gorges! The water was great and the guide, Henry, made sure we were all comfortable and safe.