 Maine Sea Kayaking Trips
Kayak the Stonington Archipelago and beyond
•Half Day & Full Day Kayak Tours •Overnight & Multi Day Kayak Trips
•Kayak & Canoe Rentals •Park & Launch Services •Kayaking Lessons
•Full Outfitting Services •Sea Kayak School •Hike & Paddle Isle au Haut
•Kayak To An Isle au Haut Inn •What to Bring Kayaking
 Enjoy paddling through some of the most beautiful islands along the Maine coast. The Stonington archipelago is second to none and offers some of the very best sea kayaking in North America, boasting over 60 islands within a two hour paddle from the Old Quarry facility. Of these Maine islands, some 35 are open to the public and 20 are available for island camping trips. MITA members (Maine Island Trail Association) enjoy access to a dozen additional privately owned sites within the archipelago.
If you have limited kayaking experience, haven't paddled in a while, or are new to the area, we suggest you consider a guided half or full day kayak trip to get some paddling pointers, work off those cobwebs, and learn about the area. Along the way you may encounter seabirds, porpoises, seals, osprey, and eagles. Your guide may point out tidal pools and natural wonders as you are introduced to sea kayaking on the Maine coast.
Find out why kayaking is one of the fastest growing sports. No experience is necessary for our guided kayak trips. Old Quarry's Registered Maine Sea Kayak Guides will take you on a comfortable recreational kayaking paddle and give instruction on paddling techniques, kayak safety, and Leave No Trace principles. We'll provide all the necessary paddling gear, go through a safety talk, and launch right from our facility. What to bring kayaking.
We offer a variety of sea kayak trips to provide you with a memorable Maine kayaking experience. Depending on the weather, you may explore the Stonington coastline or head out to an island and stop for a swim or a hike before returning to Webb Cove. We won't take more than eight boats per guide or we will add a second guide, ensuring personal attention throughout your paddle.
Children under fourteen years of age should be in a tandem kayak unless they are very experienced and the weather is good. Children under twelve must be in a tandem kayak and participate in a family kayaking trip. People with their own boats for any Guided Half or Full Day Trips subtract $10.00/trip.
Please call ahead for reservations or add to your shopping cart below.
It is recommended that you arrive up to 30 minutes before the trip times listed below, especially in high season.
Half Day & Full Day Kayak Tours:
Half Day Trips are offered most mornings and afternoons. The water is typically calmer in the mornings so we suggest beginners try to come early. An afternoon paddle is one of the best ways to spend a warm summer afternoon. Half day kayaking trips last about four hours, with approximately three hours of paddling time. Morning half day trip time: 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. Afternoon half day trip time: 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm.
RATES**: Single kayaks: $55 - Tandem kayaks: $110
Full Day Trips are available for those who want an all day kayaking experience. Similar to the half day trip, and you'll be out on the water for almost eight hours.
RATES**: Single kayaks: $105 - Tandem kayaks: $175
Sunset Trips give you the chance to enjoy a beautiful Maine sunset from the water. The trip lasts approximately two hours, and you'll return to Old Quarry as it is getting dark.
RATES**: Single kayaks: $45 - Tandem kayaks: $80
Family Trips are geared towards children under the age of twelve. As sea kayaking on the ocean can be difficult and strenuous for children, the group will go at a slower pace and depending on the group's abilities may stay closer to shore. We've found these kayak trips to be enjoyable for the whole family. This may or may not be a private or single family trip. Other adults may go as long as they understand the situation.
RATES**: (two hour trip)
Single kayaks: $45 - Tandem kayaks: $80
Gourmet Picnic Paddle is Old Quarry's newest kayak trip offering, including a gourmet picnic lunch as part of your trip. You'll arrive at Old Quarry mid morning and paddle out to an island with a Registered Maine Sea Kayak Guide who will prepare a delicious gourmet lunch, including homemade desserts. After exploring the island and relaxing for a bit you'll enjoy a leisurely paddle back to Old Quarry. Total trip time is approximately six hours. Gourmet Paddle trip time: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
RATES**: $105/person
Private Guided Trips are also available at an hourly rate.
RATES: $50/hour + $20/hour each additional person
**Three person minimum for these trips, or you can pay the difference for the extra person(s). (Often the three person minimum is met with last-minute signups.)
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Medical Information is required of all participants in a guided kayak trip, which is kept confidential by the Old Quarry staff. Your guide can offer you the best possible experience only if they know about any pertinent medical history. You'll be asked to fill out a Medical Form* upon arrival, or you can save time by doing so ahead of time and bringing it with you.
*Requires Acrobat® Reader®
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Hike & Paddle Isle au Haut
Take our passenger vessel Nigh Duck to Isle au Haut with your kayak or one of our boat rentals with or without one of our licensed Maine sea kayak guides for a day long hike and paddle around the island. Isle au Haut is really a wonderous place to paddle. There are 75 foot granite cliffs down to the water, spruce forests, pebbly beaches, and lots of wildlife such as eagles, osprey, sea ducks, seals, and deer on the island. There are more than several places to land your kayak and hike around the park for a bit if you so choose. You can hike or paddle as much as you desire. You will not forget this adventure!
This trip is for experienced paddlers only or you must go with a guide. No children under 14 years of age. Please call well in advance to request a guide. If you choose to hire a guide to paddle with you, please be aware that they will not be able to hike with you per the Park Service.
The Nigh Duck leaves Old Quarry daily at 9:00 am, reaching the Isle au Haut town landing at 9:45 am. Return from town landing at 5:00 pm and reach Old Quarry at 5:45 pm.
RATES: $34/round trip
Kayak Rental: Per Rate Sheet for the day
Kayak transportation to/from Island: $10/boat
Maine Guide: $400/day (This rate may be split up between participants.)
Maximum 6 tandems or 6 singles kayaks or any combination of 6 boats.
Please call ahead for reservations or add to your shopping cart below.
Learn more about Isle au Haut.
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Overnight & Multi Day Kayaking Trips:
 Paddle out to a Maine island and camp overnight with an Old Quarry Registered Maine Guide. You will start your kayaking trip by paddling to a coastal island in the Stonington archipelago, set up camp, and then let the fun begin. You will explore a number of islands, stop for a swim, and have a wonderful chance to relax. Our guide will prepare great meals throughout the trip. Good company, good food, good sunsets, and great stories await you.
RATES:
One night/two days trip: $285/person
Two nights/three days trip: $427/person
Three nights/four days trip: $568/person
Three person minimum or pay the difference ($142.50 per day per person).
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Overnight Kayak Trip To An Isle au Haut Inn:
Our newest kayak adventure is to kayak out to Isle au Haut with a guide or on your own if you are experienced and stay overnight or several nights in an elegant small inn with great food, a wonderful atmosphere and great ambiance. The next few days you can enjoy more paddling, biking, or hiking around the island. A VERY romantic, healthy, low impact vacation which you will not soon forget!
RATES:
Call for prices and details
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Kayak and Canoe Rentals:
Half Day Rentals are for a 4 hour period from when you arrive.
RATES:
Single kayaks: $42
Tandem kayaks: $52
Canoes: $42
Hourly Rentals
RATES:
Single kayaks: $20
Tandem kayaks: $25
Canoes: $20
Full Day Rentals are for a 8 hour period from when you arrive. Kayaks and canoes must be returned before dark on the same day that you rent them.
RATES:
Single kayaks: $57
Tandem kayaks: $67
Canoes: $52
Overnight Rentals are for a 24 hour period from when you arrive. Rates are the full day rental rate plus a surcharge of 10%.
RATES:
Single kayaks: $62.70
Tandem kayaks: $73.70
Canoes: $57.20
Weekly Rentals are also available. We can deliver kayaks and canoes with all the necessary equipment for a nominal fee.
RATES:
Single kayaks: $300
Tandem kayaks: $380
Canoes: $250
Kayak delivery on island: $20/round trip
Late fees apply to all rentals.
Old Quarry has Necky Looksha IV's, Necky Eskias and a variety of other Necky boats, as well as Old Town Adventurer kayaks and Old Town canoes for rent for those with paddling experience. The Stonington archipelago is a relatively sheltered area, however sea kayaking on the ocean presents a number of challenges. For your safety, we will ask you questions to determine your proficiency in performing a wet exit and self rescue. Before you depart, we will discuss weather, route options, channel crossings, Leave No Trace principles, and ask you to file a kayak float plan with us. We encourage you to carry a two-way radio (available for rent at Old Quarry) and/or a cell phone and to contact us if you deviate from your float plan or run into any problems. Old Quarry's charterboat, Night Duck, is available for supplies or rescue as needed.
We'll provide all the necessary paddling gear - pfd, paddle, paddle float, pump, and a chart. After your safety talk, we'll assist you in launching from our facility. Depending on the extent of your experience and the weather conditions, we may ask you to paddle within a designated area.
Inexperienced paddlers should go with a guide. Paddlers with some experience will be limited to a designated area and tandem kayaks. Well experienced paddlers can choose their own boat and route. Children under fourteen must be in a tandem kayak unless very experienced and with experienced adults. This is at the discrection of Old Quarry staff. What to bring kayaking.
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Park and Launch Services:
 Old Quarry has ample, safe, onsite, and user friendly parking for individuals or groups. There is room for trailers as well. You do not have to camp at Old Quarry to utilize these services. Both of our small boat launch sites are accessible at all tides and offer plenty of room for loading and unloading. We have a complete bathhouse, dish washing sink, and laundry facilities. Hot showers are available for a nominal fee for non-campers. What to bring kayaking.
We will take your trash, and any trash you find, in our dumpsters at the facility. We will also accept your solid human waste at our waste facility if properly wrapped in newspaper. Plastic wrappings will not be accepted. "Wag Bags" are available for sale at Old Quarry for human waste. It is unacceptable to leave your waste on the islands, not to mention its negative impact on the environment. Please plan accordingly.
Before you depart, we will discuss weather, route options, channel crossings, and Leave No Trace principles. We will ask you to file a float plan with us.
•Preview Float Plan* •Preview Chart •Preview List of Islands*
*Requires Acrobat® Reader®
We welcome all outfitters, clubs, camps, and other groups to use our park and launch services. Old Quarry's charterboat, Nigh Duck, is available for supplies or rescue as needed. Rescue services are included in your park and launch fee, so please don't hesitate to contact us. This service is available much of the time for medical emergencies.
RATES:
PARKING if you are not camping with us or renting our boats:
$7/night for 1-2 nights
$6/night for 3 or more nights
LAUNCHING your own boat:
$5/boat
Weekly launching rate: $30/boat
Seasonal rate: $400/boat (includes parking)
Camp at Old Quarry and park and launch at no cost. If, however, you camp with us and then go to camp on islands, you will have to pay for parking while you are not camping at our facility.
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Kayak Lessons
 Spend some time in our clean, fresh water practice pond for a private kayak lesson with a Registered Maine Guide or attend a course at the Old Quarry Sea Kayak School.
Private lesson beginner topics include getting in and out of the kayak, paddling techniques, wet exit, and self rescue. Advanced topics include weather, navigation, rescue, and maritime safety. Depending on your skill level, time may be spent both in the pond and the ocean during your kayak lesson.
RATES: One person: $50/hour - Each additional person: $20/hour
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