Swans Island A passage through Merchants Row was how the bigger sailing vessels of the 19th century navigated this part of the coast, carrying passengers, fish, and especially granite. A passage through magnificent bold islands, fringed with rose granite shorelines. It is also the mecca of sea kayakers in Maine. During this 5 day trip, we will cover Merchants Row, the Deer Isle Thoroughfare, and, depending on conditions, Swans Island as well. If there is an internationally renowned part of the Maine Coast, Mount Desert is it.
Mountains rise sheer from the sea.
The island is breathtakingly penetrated by the only real fiord in the lower 48 states - Somes Sound. During this 5 day trip we will see it all - from the tranquil and sometimes remote beauty of Blue Hill Bay to the dramatic open ocean reaches of Frenchman Bay, finishing with a dramatic trip up Somes Sound. Acadia National Park plays host to 6 million visitors annually, but not one of them sees the wonders of this area as we will. If you think Casco Bay means Portland and lots of boats, you're in for a surprise. We stick to the remoter reaches of Casco Bay.