Amazing Sea Kayaking Adventures in the Cape Porpoise Islands

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Sea Kayaking in the Cape Porpoise Islands

The Cape Porpoise Islands lie just around the ocean point from the lavish estate of the George Bush family. However, a sea kayaking trip in these wilderness islands is far removed from the glamour and glitz of Kennebunkport, Maine. The only diamonds you’ll see here are the sparkles on the sea on an impossibly sunny day.

What are the Cape Porpoise Islands?

The Cape Porpoise harbor has an archipelago of uninhabited islands near Kennebunkport, Maine. Many of the islands are open to small boat visitors. Three of the islands offer primitive camping managed by the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust. This non-profit conservation organization owns many of the islands and local green spaces. Goat Island has a lighthouse built in 1833 that still functions to keep boats off the rocks.

Cape Porpoise is the only significant harbor between Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Portland, Maine. Historically, shipbuilding and fishing were mainstays of the white settlers. Later, lobstering and tourism became more prominent. Yet, there’s still a chance to get that seafaring culture when paddling in the islands.

Native Americans lived in the islands for 11,000 years before the arrival of the first Europeans. Cape Porpoise is the ancestral home of the Wabanakis, “people of the land of dawn”. They named the area Kini-banek (long cut bank) in reference to the high banks at the mouth of the Mousam River. The town names Kennebunk and Kennebunkport were derived from the Native language.

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Paddling in the Cape Porpoise Islands

The best way to see the Cape Porpoise Islands is by boat. The area is very affected by Maine’s 9-foot tides so timing is everything when paddling here. If you don’t want to pull your boat through long mudflats, launch close to high tide.

Boat launches

There are 2 launch areas for putting in cartop paddling craft. They are similar in that each launch site is impossible at low tide and the parking at each is extremely limited.

The causeway on the left side on Pier Road located right before the road ends at Pier 77 is an excellent launch for 2 hours on either side of high tide. After that it gets a little sketchy. There are 8 parking spots along the right side of the road but they fill up very fast. Therefore, you want to carpool and get there early.

The other launch is on Turbats Creek Road near Vaughn Island. There is a sand beach but extensive mudflats show up near low tide. The channel behind Vaughn Island to Cape Porpoise Harbor is only open for about 3 hours on either side of the high tide. There are 3 or 4 parking spots along the road and lots of private property to respect.

Boat rental

If you don’t have your own kayak, there are a few kayak outfitters in Kennebunkport. On a recent sea kayaking trip, I met staff members from two of the kayak companies as they launched clients. The first company, who will go unnamed, had a staff member who decided to lecture me on proper kayak launching. Since I have been sea kayaking on the coast of Maine long before he was in diapers, I really didn’t need the directions. I put his comments on that lengthy list of unsolicited advice that women in the outdoors endure.

Fortunately, the next outfitter was one I can recommend. There was a whole different vibe. Coastal Maine Kayak is a woman-owned company offering kayak rentals and tours in Cape Porpoise. They also rent paddleboards, bikes, and scooters.

My point of this story is to make sure to check out your kayak outfitter or tour guide to make sure they align with your values and your trip goals. Trust your gut when you talk to them.

Safety

Unlike the protected saltwater bays further Downeast in Maine, the Cape Porpoise islands are exposed to the open ocean. Check the marine weather forecast before venturing out. Winds of 15-20 knots tend to challenge beginning paddlers. Small craft warnings usually get even experienced paddlers to stay put. Paddling in an afternoon thunderstorm is dangerous as lightning strikes favor the highest point. That’s you in your boat on a big ocean.

While paddling in the Cape Porpoise Islands, there are a couple of trouble spots to know about. When paddling between Goat Island and the channel between Trott and Cape islands, watch out for refracting wave turbulence off the south point of Trott. Similarly, the east shore of Cape Island has big waves due to open ocean exposure. Finally, the area behind Stage Island all the way to Goose Rocks Beach can have some huge rolling waves depending on the tide. There are plenty of protected paddling areas in the lea of the islands so I just avoid the turbulent spots as much as possible.

Leave no trace

The Cape Porpoise islands are well-loved and get tons of use. Therefore, it is critical to practice dedicated Leave No Trace visiting and camping. Carry out whatever you carry in. No one wants to see Snickers wrappers on a wilderness island. Carry out applies to human waste as the islands are too fragile to support multiple cat holes. Plan ahead and prepare with a human waste disposal system. Wag bags are single-use biodegradable toilet kits that work great.

Designated fire pit use will minimize fire scars all over the islands. If you can, bring firewood as the island wood supply gets depleted quickly. Collect only dead and down wood.

Camping on the Cape Porpoise Islands

Three gorgeous remote islands are open for camping near Cape Porpoise. The Kennebunkport Conservation Trust manages camping on Trott, Cape, and Vaughn islands. Reservations can be made on their website for island campsites starting 7 days in advance of your arrival date. Camping is free but a donation to the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust will help support the preservation of this spectacular but fragile area.

Sea kayaking camping gear

Since there is not much room in a sea kayak, it’s important to really streamline your gear systems for kayak camping. Jump over to my post on the best gear for sea kayaking camping to get a detailed description of the equipment I recommend.

Islands of Cape Porpoise

Trott Island

Trott Island is the largest island in the Cape Porpoise archipelago. The three campsites can be reserved. A large cobble beach on the east side of the island is the landing for both Pinegrove and Eastpoint campsites. Pinegrove is the largest of the campsites with room in the conifer grove behind a cattail marsh for three tents. Eastpoint is an unshaded site with room for one tent. Northwest Point is small too, and the landing is rocky and slippery.

At low tide, it is possible to walk on rocks and rockweed between Cape and Trott islands. In addition, by walking on granite boulders around the south point of Trott, you can see the Goat Island lighthouse from afar.

Trott has some hiking trails, but they are indistinct and not well marked. Fortunately, with the 5-star view across to Stage Island from the large fireplace on the beach, you don’t really need to go anywhere.

On a recent trip to Trott with friends, we enjoyed pitching our hammocks in the woods. It was also a wonderful contained place for Finn, the adventure dog, on his first sea kayaking trip.

Cape Island

Located closest to the open ocean, Cape is a sweet camping island spot. Its sparsely wooded interior and meadows allow amazing views of the entire island chain. It’s located across from Trott, a rocky bridge between islands shows up at low tide. The landings to the 2 campsites on Cape are quite difficult with slippery rocks and rockweed. Beginning sea kayakers may have trouble landing in big surf as there is no beach.

A hike around the island’s perimeter on the rocks unveils spectacular beauty. The variety of colors of rocks is only outshone by the crashing waves on the wild ocean side. Don’t miss a circumnavigation hike of this island.

My favorite campsite of the two on Cape is Westpoint. It is spacious with enough room for a group. It has a side meadow that’s great for tents or stargazing.

Vaughn Island

Novice paddlers may prefer to camp on Vaughn Island. The landing area on the island is a quiet, cobbled beach. In fact, you can walk to the west side campsites at low tide if the seas are too rough to paddle. The best boat launch to use is the one at Turbats Creek.

The two western campsites are nestled into the trees. The Northbeach campsite has an incredible view of the coast. Plus, a south breeze will keep the bugs away.

Stage Island

Historic Stage Island is a day-use property of the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust. It’s a perfect place for a lunch stop on a day paddle in the area. A wide beach, good swimming, and shore walking are highlights.

Little Stage or Fort Island, as it’s known on some charts, is connected to Stage Island at low tide. The building standing prominent on the island is a clubhouse built by a land development company at the turn of the century. It was erected on the site of the Stage Island Fort that dates back to the 1600s.

Archeological evidence confirms that Native Americans inhabited the islands and were eventually driven out with the arrival of settlers. The extensive fishing and timber resources were used by the settlers from England. Stage Island remains an important archaeological site for continued understanding of the Cape Porpoise area.

Goat Island

A visit to Goat Island is a real treat. The iconic Goat Island Lighthouse can be seen from Pier 77 on the mainland. The paddle out to it is about a mile from the launch beach on Cape Porpoise. On the island, a gentle beach and a dock make landing easy for any kind of boat.

The lighthouse has weathered many storms since 1833 to keep ships safe. The vigilance of the lighthouse keepers has kept many boats off the dangerous reefs and rocks nearby. The current keepers use the cottage attached to the lighthouse by a covered walkway that protects the keepers doing their job in inclement weather.

Strolling on the 3.5-acre island is a walk through history. Wander by the old boathouse built in 1905. Picnic out on the rocks. There is an excellent view of Walker Point, the Bush family compound. If you are lucky, the lighthouse will be open to tour.

Accommodations on Shore

Kennebunkport is such a quintessential Maine seacoast town that staying overnight adds to the trip. A stay in the area lets you explore more of the fantastic ocean beauty and get the perfect lobster roll at the Clam Shack.

The Lodge at Turbot’s Creek is a comfortable stay with a great location near the sea kayak put-in at Turbot’s Creek. They are known for super friendly staff and a yummy breakfast before you set out on your trip.

If you are looking for a charming inn in downtown Kennebunkport then you will love the Kennebunkport Inn. Sit out on the sun deck for views of the Kennebunk River or head out to the shops and restaurants of nearby Dock Square.

Cape Porpoise Island Wrap-up

Whether on a day paddle or a camping excursion to the Cape Porpoise islands, there are guaranteed glimpses of iconic Maine scenery everywhere you look. You will marvel at the unspoiled shores so close to the tourist meccas of Kennebunk and Kennebunkport. Enjoy these stunning islands safely and responsibly.

If you are interested in more Maine sea kayaking, visit these posts.

Sea Kayaking the Bold Coast of Maine

The Most Amazing Sea Kayaking Adventures of Swan’s Island, Maine

The Best Gear for Fantastic Sea Kayaking Camping Adventures

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