Our Place
Our shop is a stall in a repurposed Herring Factory. All the Maine fishing ports used to have them, and all have gone into a period of disuse. This factory is being used as a parking garage, headquarters for the Isle au Haute Ferry Service and two kayak companies.
We have 16 boats, including 6 tandem and 14 single kayaks to rent, as well as an assortment of paddles, PFDs, spray skirts and other gear for over-night paddlers. Also a small shop inside with items for purchase like UV floatable sunglasses, sport sunscreen, bug spray, stickers, water bottles and other things.
Hours and Dates of Operation
May to after first weekend in June - Make an appointment via e-mail due to low volume. (plan with us button)
June to Labor Day weekend - Full service Sunday through Saturday. Text, call, e-mail or drop by the ramp if same day reservation since sometimes all staff is either on the water or off work. Otherwise book through our online rental platform or contact us.
September - Down to one person on waterfront so schedule changes from 9 AM - 2 or 5 PM weekdays only. Contact us if you want something outside this time frame and we may be able to make it happen.
October - Contact and be flexible for weather and scheduling
REFUND POLICY
We are fairly lenient on refunds. We want you not to be stressed and have a good trip. If cancelling same day for no good reason than a refund is not likely going to be given. We will however give you credit for a future trip for you are someone you know.
Full refund for certain weather conditions:
*Our fog is unpredictable in density, duration, and seasonality. While paddling in the fog can be beautiful, if it is so thick you can’t see anything it might not be interesting for you. If we cant see out to the first island, full refund. If you are nervous but still want to paddle, we will give you a free guided fog trip!
*The rains of Maine fall mainly on your vacation. If the rain is enough to make the ground or your jacket wet, you can cancel. Paddling when rain is bouncing off the water is actually quite remarkable however.
*Wind. We usually get a gentle 5-10 mph SW breeze in the afternoons. Sometimes it more and sometimes its from another direction. If the wind is predicted to average over 14 mph on weather.com Stonington hourly report, you can cancel. It can be difficult for some kayakers to control their direction or make head way at speeds over this amount. Approaching 20 mph or predicted lightening we will cancel.
Things to Know
Water temps are very cold, ranging from upper 40s in late-May and topping off in the low 60’s in early-September. Cold water immersion should be taken seriously so keep immersion times short and make sure you are warm again. Bring warm clothes you keep dry and a towel.
Gear might include water bottle for each person, sunscreen, bug spray (usually not necessary for most people), water shoes/sandals, hat, sunglasses, snacks/lunch, charged phone (call us for assistance/take pictures), wind breaker, fleece/sweatshirts, swim suit.
Watch for lobster boats when crossing between islands. Most traffic is before 6 AM and between 12-2 PM when lobster boats are leaving and arriving, but they are always there. They use deep channels for steaming home and everywhere for fishing. Observe boats in all directions to determine where they are going to be before crossing channels, otherwise stay mostly near shore.
To avoid tipping over it is important not to stand in your boat or push recklessly on things outside of your boat.
Limit dragging boat on rock or running into submerged rocks
Walking on seaweed or black colored rock that is wet can be like ice. Treat it like walking on ice.
Preferred times for launching are between 8-930 AM and 1230-130 PM, but we can usually be flexible on times. Mornings are usually calmer with offshore breeze picking up many days 10 mph or so in the afternoon.
If a fog bank is present, fog can move in and out quickly. Use compass and head north to get back to main island. Using google maps on phone also work well for navigating. Also listen carefully for boats. All rentals have a free cancellation if fog is too thick to see islands, if consistent rain, or wind is over 13 mph.
Our Staff
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Guide
Zach moved to Maine in the summer of 2009 and has lived in Penobscot since then. First working with the Department of Marine Resources doing red-tide testing, then becoming a Maine Registered Guide with Old Quarry Ocean Adventures and now co-owning Stonington Paddle. He has also worked as a National Park Ranger at Channel Islands National Park, Maine Bird Atlas and Breeding Bird Survey Biologist, Vice-President and Conservation & Research Chair of Downeast Audubon and a high school substitute teacher while living in Maine. With a Masters in Wildlife Ecology and 20 years experience in the wildlife field, Zach will tell you everything you didn’t know you needed to know about the wildlife, geology, edible plants and local interest the Stonington Archipelago.
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Business Manager
Eric is a self-described student of the world having lived and attended school in countries in Africa, Europe, the US and South America. He currently splits most of his time between summers in Maine were you can find him working remotely near his skiff on one of the local islands, or in the off-season in Florida, Colombia or Ecuador. Eric prides himself on hospitality and customer service and wants this business to be more than pushing plastic but creating experiences and memories for his clients.