Somes Sound
Somes Sound
4.5
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The only fjord on the U.S. East Coast.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
43 reviews
Excellent
29
Very good
13
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
JenniferandAlan
Easton, PA894 contributions
May 2021
Somes Sound is a five mile long body of water that runs North South as do the other lakes and ponds on the island. It divides Mount Desert Island into halves--the East side with the Park Loop Road and the West side, the "quiet side" of the island. It is the only fjord in the Eastern US and was formed by glaciation. Glaciers carved a long narrow river valley that was later drowned by the sea. You take Sargent Drive North from Northeast Harbor. It is a long winding road with "cottages" lining it. There are pull offs where you can listen to the waves lapping the shore while you look at the water. We came on the off season but even during the summer you will avoid the crowds here and you can watch sailboats on the water. Don't miss this hidden gem.
Written May 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ken H
Lake Elmore, Vermont48 contributions
Jul 2011 • Couples
We camped at the north end of Somes Sound so we have kayaked from there out to the ocean several times. It is a fun paddle and is usually pretty calm since it is protected from wind unless the wind is straight out of the south. There are several places to stop and go for a swim, hike or have a picnic lunch along the shore so it's easy to make a day of it. There are many lobster boats and leisure boats all through the sound so if you enjoy looking at boats paddling past those is a lot of fun as well.
Note: you want to be sure and time your paddle with the tide. If you head out when the tide is going out and come back in when the tide is you will make much faster time. It can be paddled against the tide but it can make as much as a half hour difference in time.
Note: you want to be sure and time your paddle with the tide. If you head out when the tide is going out and come back in when the tide is you will make much faster time. It can be paddled against the tide but it can make as much as a half hour difference in time.
Written April 12, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DrT_from_NJ
Sparta, NJ6 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
We stayed at this campground in 2011 and had a great time visiting the Acadia region-- did a lot of kayaking (on lakes-- the water was much warmer) , hiking, blueberry picking and biking. It took us almost 12 hours to get there from NJ and ran into some truck problems along the way. The campground owner couldn't have been more helpful-- REAL help when we needed it to travel back home 12 hours! Facilities at this campground were excellent and their friendliness toward all the campers was abundant.
Written August 11, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cynthia K
Westville, IN4,520 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
On the recommendation of a local at the campground, after we visited Asticou Terraces we drove around until we found Sargeant Drive. This must be a fairly famous road, since it's named in the Acadia NP info map. Our new friend at the campground said it was very much worth taking.
All in all, it was an OK drive. The mansions we were supposed to be able to see were obscured by foliage. The views of Somes Sound were nice. There's a couple of small pull offs if you want a closer look. The road winds through some woods for a while. Pretty soon you reconnect with Hwy 3/198.
All in all, it was an OK drive. The mansions we were supposed to be able to see were obscured by foliage. The views of Somes Sound were nice. There's a couple of small pull offs if you want a closer look. The road winds through some woods for a while. Pretty soon you reconnect with Hwy 3/198.
Written August 29, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James H
Titusville3,424 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
We have kayaked this fjord several times over the years from different locations. The north is the best entry and allows a nice paddle to the ocean; however, it can become a bit more vigorous if you try to return against the tide. So, check the charts and plan accordingly. Next, be sure to check the weather for wind velocity as it can come up fast and a combination wind and tide is a challenge. I suggest you go with a professional outfitter unless you have experience. With the May weather so unpredictable we had to wait for just the right conditions. Later in the summer you will have more choices. Another nice kayak paddle is from Bar Harbor marina to the coastal islands or
around the bay.
around the bay.
Written May 18, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
katknow
New Bedford, MA21 contributions
Jul 2012 • Couples
Be sure to take the back road along the sound from Northeast Harbor to really get a good view of the sound
Written July 15, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachel L
Newark, DE614 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
This body of water separates the two sides of the island - the quieter side with Southwest Harbor and Bass Harbor and the main side with Bar Harbor and most of Acadia attractions. The island is small enough that if you stayed on the quiet side, it's really to enjoy all the attractions of Acadia and Bar Harbor.
Written January 30, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jamison G
Potomac, MD8 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
We took kayaks out on the Sound after the morning mist cleared. The fjord has the views and the calm waters you'd expect from one of the island's lakes, but with the ocean's wildlife, like sea stars and jellyfish. At Flying Mountain, there's a place to pull the kayaks onto the shore and join Acadia's hiking trails.
Written August 4, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mmmquigs
Highland Mills, NY363 contributions
Sep 2013 • Couples
It was a gorgeous day and we were looking for a scenic drive. Some's Sound was pretty, but I think, after spending a day in Acadia, the grandeur was eclipsed. I'm not sorry we took the drive, but I would not go out of my way to do it.
Written September 23, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RHOBoston
Boston112 contributions
Jun 2013 • Friends
This gallery right on the water in Somes Sound is in a picture perfect location, right next to the library and across the street from the historical society and museum. Regional artists, of very high quality, are displayed along with exceptional furniture from nationally recognized makers. Probably the best furniture gallery north of Boston, run by a friendly, knowledgable owner.
Would visit here every time I come up.
Would visit here every time I come up.
Written July 1, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gregwider
Slingerlands, New York
I would like to know about the history and topography of Somes Sound..
Written October 3, 2017
A Tripadvisor member
Check out a new history cruise on Somes Sound. They are posted on the web at the Mount Desert Island (MDI) Historical Society.
Note that the Sound's history comes from is geology - a hiding place from British Men of War, a sheltering harbor to serve for settlement by French monks in the early 1500's, a deep water and close-to-shore access point to permit a sluice up against a waterfall to fill ship's water storage, a granite quarry, and more. I think the cruise in the link would have knowledge of all this. Otherwise, search the Maine Historical Society.
Written October 21, 2017
A Tripadvisor member
I don't think that there is a brochure on the Sound. No one makes any money on the Sound, so no one is going to pay to print a brochure.
Somes Sound stands out as scenic, historic, and geographically unique. You can't see the last two features, as they are dependent upon hearing or reading the stories. I would say the scenic portion is best in the fall when fall colors are present.
Written October 21, 2017
Dyaman
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
Hola! Estaremos proximamente en Bar Harbor, solo por un dÃa (de 07:00 a 17:00) por lo que me gustarÃa saber si existe alguna forma de visitar los lugares mas atractivos de la zona, la verdad es que solo encuentro opiniones de viajeros que estuvieron muchos dÃas ahÃ. Nosotros llegamos en un crucero por lo que tampoco llegamos con vehÃculo y nos gustarÃa conocerlo por nuestra cuenta.
Gracias de antemano por la información que puedan aportarme!
Written July 12, 2015
Hola amigo y viajero! Caminar alrededor de Bar Harbor es fácil, y se lo recomendarÃa ir a Stewman de por la comida. Alquilar una moto o un coche es una necesidad para ver las vistas fuera de Bar Harbor. También hay excursiones que puedes ir, pero puede ser que no ghive la mejor experiancia si quieres disfrutar a su propio ritmo.
Written October 13, 2016
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