Residents refer with pride to "Real Maine," and without a doubt, this is the authentic destination you'll experience when you explore the endless coastline on a Maine yacht charter. Best estimates put the state's count of windswept islands at an extraordinary 4,600 scattered around 3,500 miles of coastline. Hundreds of these islands can be seen exclusively from the water on a Maine yacht charter; many are uninhabited and don't even have a name. Perhaps you'd like to dream one up?
© Maine office of tourism
Maine, an American Original
Aboard your Maine yacht charter, admire the same rocky shorelines, surf-battered bluffs and lighthouses captured on museum-worthy canvases by preeminent artists Winslow Homer and Andrew Wyeth. Pretty coastal towns boast an array of Federalist, Georgian and Victorian architecture reflecting the aristocratic roots of erstwhile summer colonies. Fragrant forests of firs and spruce cascade to the water's edge, where once-famous whaling and shipbuilding towns are now home to a historic schooner fleet.
Americana is spelled out in antique and artisan craft shops, by peanut butter ice cream cones and lobster rolls slathered with melted butter, by the slow creaking rhythm of wooden rocking chairs on an old house porch overlooking the harbor.
Portland, Maine
In Southern Maine, put a pin at Portland on the map as the state's biggest town (with a population of about 66,000), featuring a culinary culture that actually embraces more than lobster. A centuries-old maritime heritage and a working waterfront are present in the 19th century feel of this selection for "Distinctive Destinations" named by the National Historic Trust.
Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Enjoy top-notch kayaking excursions on your own Maine yacht charter in the boating capital of northern New England or head ashore for hiking trails, nature walks, botanical gardens and lighthouse forays. On our Maine yacht charter, we'll point out magically unchanged Monhegan Island, 10 miles offshore, with its 1824 working island light and museum. For those who'd like a fabulous view and a brief trip backward in time, the gorgeous island has no paved roads and no cars.
© Jim Raycroft
Penobscot Bay, Maine
Welcome to the lobster capital of the world. Today, popular tourist towns like Rockland, Rockport and Camden are known for sightseeing in the narrow cobblestone streets, artists sketching "en plein air," irresistible wild blueberry pies, clam shacks, and local lobster-eating festivals serving up tons of the juicy, delectable catch.
Do keep in mind that lobsters love cold water...and the Maine coast delivers, even in mid-August. By all means, jump in and cool off -- if you dare! We'll have a plush, cozy towel ready.
Few places can wrap up charming, historic and seafront to create an appeal as tasty as Maine does in summertime. Sunset with s'mores on Casco Bay's archipelago, anyone?
Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, Maine
Maine's unlikely named Mount Desert Island is home to New England's most famous National Park, the 12-by-14-mile natural treasure. Other than at the gateway town of Bar Harbor, chief inhabitants are moose, bear, whales and seabirds. The outstanding landform is the granite top of Cadillac Mountain, highest peak along America's Atlantic Coast.
On your Maine yacht charter trip, Acadia puts out the welcome mat as one of the nation's most remote, but most popular, national parks. They say that Down Easterners, otherwise known as Mainers, can be described as Mainiacs when it comes to their passion for nature's glory at Acadia.