 Maine Sea Kayaking TripsKayak the Stonington Archipelago and beyond•Half Day & Full Day Kayak Tours •Overnight & Multi Day Kayak Trips •Bold Coast Expedition •Mothership Kayaking Expeditions •Kayak Rentals •Special Kayak Trips •Hike & Paddle Marshall Island •Kayaking Lessons •Hike & Paddle Isle au Haut •Outfitter Services •Sea Kayak School •Park & Launch Services •What to Bring Kayaking •Medical Form •Meet Old Quarry's Sea Kayaking Guides & Instructors  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. 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. Children between the ages of 4 & 12 must be in a tandem kayak. WE DO NOT ALLOW CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 4 IN OUR RENTAL KAYAKS. Gratuities for guides are greatly appreciated. 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 Tripsare 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: 9:00 am to 12:30 pm (please arrive by 8:30 a.m.). Afternoon half day trip time: 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm (please arrive by 1:00 p.m.).RATES**: Single kayaks: $60 - Tandem kayaks: $120 Full Day Tripsare 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: $110 - Tandem kayaks: $195 Sunset Tripsgive 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: $50 - Tandem kayaks: $100 
Family Tripsare geared towards children between 4 and 12 years of age. 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) (min $100) Single kayaks: $50 - Tandem kayaks: $85 Gourmet Picnic Paddleis Old Quarry's newest kayak trip offering, including a gourmet picnic lunch as part of your trip. Arrive at Old Quarry mid-morning and paddle out to a gorgeous island with a Registered Maine Sea Kayak Guide. Enjoy a delicious lunch packed for you, including a beverage and dessert. After your meal, explore the island and 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**: $110/person (plus sales tax on meal) Private Guided Tripsare also available at an hourly rate.RATES: $50/hour + $20/hour each additional person (No additional fee after 3 additional people) Maximum 6 people **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.) |
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® |
Hike & Paddle Isle au HautTake 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 wondrous 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. Other options include paddling one way (out or back) without a private guide and taking the Nigh Duck with your kayak or one of our boat rentals for the other way (out or back) of your trip. 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: $38/round trip Kayak Rental: Per Rate Sheet for the day Kayak transportation to/from Island: $10/boat We do not sell one way tickets to Isle au Haut. 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. |
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.2013 Scheduled 2 Nights/3 days trip dates:June 21 - June 23 June 28- June 30 July 12 - July 14 August 2 - August 4 August 16 - August 18 August 30 - Sept 2 You may reserve a spot during one of our scheduled overnight kayak trips, or book a trip on any other date. RATES: One night/two days trip: $290/person Two nights/three days trip: $435/person Three nights/four days trip: $580/person Three person minimum or pay the difference ($150 per day per person). Meals: $8/per meal/per person plus 7% tax |
Bold Coast Expedition - Overnight TripThis is a 110 mile multi-day/night. This trip is totally geared for the strong, experienced paddler. It covers some of the most beautiful and remote areas of the Maine Coast. There are no coastal villages and few houses to see. It is remote and generally uninhabited. You will only see an occasional lobster boat. This is a true get-a-way! RATES: $975 - 4 person minimum Please contact us for reservations for this trip as there are no scheduled trips at this time. |
Special Kayaking TripsNight Time Meteor Shower PaddlePerseids meteor shower happens on August 12, 2013. Meteor shower paddle time: 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm. We will stop at a local island for a break. Box dinners available. What to bring; also bring headlamp (sold at Old Quarry if you don't own one). RATES: Single kayak: $60 - Tandem kayak: $110 Optional box dinner: $12 plus 7% tax Contact us for Night Time Meteor Shower Paddle reservations. Wreck & Round Islands Clean Up Paddling TripJoin us at Old Quarry Ocean Adventures on Saturday, June 1st for a full-day sea kayak trip to IHT's Wreck and Round Islands. Our goal will be to walk the shore of both islands, collecting whatever refuse we can find. This free guided trip will include boats and other padding gear. If desired, wetsuits or drysuits are available to rent. You don't need paddling experience; we're happy to instruct and coach as time permits, but we'll plan on paddling 8 to 10 miles and walking up to two miles. Box lunches are available from Old Quarry's kitchen for $10. Put your order in by Friday, May 31. Call Michael Daugherty at 367-5997 (isalosfineart@yahoo.com) for more information or to sign-up. We'll meet at Old Quarry at 8:30 am and plan to return by 5:00 pm. Enrollment is limited; please sign-up early. |
Mothership Kayaking ExpeditionsSea kayaking trips for intermediate paddlers. Physical endurance and experience are a must.Now these are adventures! Our Expedition Boat will take you out to kayak in difficult to reach and amazing places, where few have kayaked before you. These trips can be done with or without a guide. They can offer the opportunity for big "open water" paddling and expedition training with our guides. Choose from the following trips: Seal Island Day TripSeal Island is 18 miles out to sea and sits by itself in the open ocean. It offers a scenic rock-bound shoreline with vertical cliffs and some tiny inlets just big enough for your kayak to ride the seas in and out. Seal Island is also a sea bird nesting island owned by the National Fish and Wildlife Service. You will paddle among puffins, arctic terns and many other rare and exotic pelagic birds. If you want to experience the natural world in its natural state, come with us on this memorable adventure. Options include paddling by yourselves or with one of our guides for an hour and then taking the Expedition Boat back; or paddle back the 18 miles. Another option is to take the Expedition Boat 8 miles back and be dropped off at Isle au Haut to paddle back from there. Isle au Haut Day TripIsle au Haut is 8 miles from our facility and two thirds of it is part of Acadia National Park. The paddling around the island is awe-inspiring with its natural rugged shoreline and steep cliffs. You can land your kayaks on several beaches, and at Duck Harbor you can go for a one hour round trip hike up Duck Harbor Mountain for a 360° view of Penobscot Bay. See Hike & Paddle Isle au Haut trip for another option. Vinalhaven, North Haven & Swans Island Day TripThis trip offers some great paddling as well. Brimstone Island near the southern end of Vinalhaven is an incredible paddling area and you can land on the rock beach that has hand size smooth as silk black stones. Saddleback Ledge Light nearby in the middle of Penobscot Bay sits alone as the sentinel for the entrance to the Bay and can be passed en-route. The above Mothership Kayaking Expeditions are scheduled on Sundays in conjunction with Puffin Boat Trips and Lighthouse Boat Trips - see boat schedule. Marshall Island Day Trip
Marshall Island is located in Jericho Bay, south of Swans Island. Paddle out on a day long adventure to the largest undeveloped and uninhabited island on the East Coast owned and maintained by the Maine Coast Heritage Trust. This 985 acre island is a recreational haven that draws nature lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, picnickers and boaters from all over. It has 7 miles of rocky shore line with two beautiful beaches as well as 10 miles of hiking trails through the island's extensive forests. There will be a MCHT steward to meet you and guide you around the island if you so choose.
See Hike & Paddle Marshall Island below for Marshall Island Mothership Kayaking Expeditions schedule. RATES: Guided Day Trips; 4 person minimum: Single kayaks: $160 - Tandem kayaks: $320 Optional lunch: $12 plus 7% tax People that want to do these trips without a guide pay regular trip fee - see Puffin, Lighthouse and Marshall Island Boat Trips. Contact us for Mothership Kayaking Expedition reservations. |
Hike & Paddle Marshall IslandView Marshall Island, Jericho Bay in a larger map This 985 acre island is a recreational haven that draws nature lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, picnickers and boaters from all over. It has 7 miles of rocky shore line with two beautiful beaches as well as 10 miles of hiking trails through the island's extensive forests. It offers its visitors a taste of wilderness. Some have said that there are no other islands quite like it on the coast of Maine. Just the beaches themselves are extraordinary. There will be a MCHT steward to meet you and guide you around the island if you so choose. Kayak Option: Paddlers can join this trip one way or round trip. Boat fare is the same. This is a chance to paddle an area that you might otherwise not get a chance to paddle around. Permission is needed to camp on the island. Download the Marshall Island Preserve information & guidelines and map. If you'll be camping on the island, we can take you and your gear out and pick you up on another day for an additional fee.  2013 Marshall Island - Jericho Bay Boat Trips Schedule:Friday, July 5 Arrive at Old Quarry at 8:30 am. The vessel Nigh Duck departs Old Quarry at 9:00 am, with pick up at Marshall Island at 4:00 pm, and arrives back at Old Quarry by 5:45 pm (there may be other pick ups) for the Marshall Island - Jericho Bay Boat trips. Travel time is approx. 1 hour. Please refer to the boat schedule for more information. RATES: $50/person Box lunches, snacks and beverages available at Old Quarry store. Please order lunches at least the day before. What to bring: Warm clothes (no matter what the weather), swim suit, towels, blanket, sun screen, sun glasses, cell phone. Please call ahead for reservations or add to your shopping cart here. |
Kayak and Canoe Rentals
Half Day Rentalsare for a 4 hour period from when you arrive.RATES: Single kayaks: $42 Tandem kayaks: $52 Canoes: $42 Hourly RentalsRATES: Single kayaks: $20 Tandem kayaks: $25 Canoes: $20 Full Day Rentalsare 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: $58 Tandem kayaks: $67 Canoes: $52 Overnight Rentalsare for a 24 hour period from when you arrive. Rates are the full day rental rate plus a surcharge of 10%.RATES: Single kayaks: $63.80 Tandem kayaks: $73.70 Canoes: $57.20 Weekly Rentalsare 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: $22/round trip Late fees apply to all rentals. Kayak and Canoe Deliveryon island.RATES: $30/each way Kayak and Canoe Deliveryoff island.RATES: $50/each way Shuttle & Taxi ServiceWe can pick up and deliver you and the kayaks at any location so that you can have a one way kayak trip. RATES: $.55/mile plus $30/hour per staff Old Quarry's rental fleet consists of Wilderness System, Necky and Boreal Design kayaks for those with paddling experience. We also sell these boats plus Perception, Dagger and Mad River, new and used, all year long. 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 discretion of Old Quarry staff. What to bring kayaking. |
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 $5/day for trailers 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. |
Kayak Lessons  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: (for up to 2 hours - if over 2 hours, the rate goes to $85.00 each person for the half day class at Old Quarry Sea Kayak School) One person: $50/hour - Each additional person: $20/hour |
| NOTICE Kayaking the Stonington Archipelago can be dangerous and life threatening. The dangers include thick, heavy fog that can come quickly; fast moving lightning storms; cold water, hypothermia, cold gasp; strong winds; high seas; lobster and recreational boats that may capsize you. These and other unforeseen dangers can be harmful or even deadly. Hence, while an adventure, paddling in the Stonington Archipelago can be very dangerous. Added to these dangers, if you get into trouble help may not come in time. |
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©2000-2013 Old Quarry Ocean Adventures, Inc. |
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