Summer Cruise 2026

[Bobko]

Planning a summer cruise from southeastern Connecticut to Bar Harbor. Looking for general info from those who have done it. Points of interest, safe harbors, things not to do etc. Thanks and Happy New Year

[REBMystic]

2 summers ago we spent a few nights at Province town. Lot's of moorings. Good place to stop. That's as far north as we have been, but we are penciling in southcoast maine for summer 2027!

[BarryG]

Hi guys,
I just noticed this post. So, we have a 32+2 CB and home port in Boothbay Harbor. We purchased this boat last summer in Old Saybrook, CT and cruised to Boothbay. Here's where and how we traveled... D1 direct to Buzzards Bay and through the CC Canal. Stopped for first night at Sandwich Marina at the east end of the canal. Good restaurant/bar right next to marina. D2, layed over an extra day there waiting for wind to abate. D3- CC Canal direct to Gloucester, MA. Cut through the canal, took fuel and picked up a YC mooring at the north end of the Gloucester canal. D4- direct to Boothbay.

We moved permanently from LI, NY to Yarmouth, Maine 4 years ago. Here's what I know about POTENTIAL stops along the way. Portsmouth, NH has lots to offer. However, the river has a wicked current and docking can be tricky. Plan for slack tide arrival. Also, there are bridges to deal with. Next up going north is Kennebunkport. Also lots and lots to offer. A major tourist attraction! The river is narrow and muddy. Again shoot for high tide, slack.
I don't think there is much between Kennenbunk and Portland. Yes, Old Orchard Beach, I haven't been there but its rumored to be like the Jersey Shore.

Portland, Maine is definitely worth a stop. Lots of things to see and do. Continuing north, Freeport has great shopping and LL Bean. Its worth seeing.

Moving north again, many people make and overnight stop at the Dolphin Marina and restaurant in Harpswell. Other than the restaurant and a really good lobster shack next to it (Erica's), there is nothing much to do there except sit on the Adirondack chairs on the lawn of the Dolphin, have a drink and watch the sun set over the Atlantic. It's a one night stop.

Proceeding north, I would skip Brunswick and Bath ( Bath is a kool town but it's very far up a river and has poor marina facilities and a sketchy town dock. We always drive there by car as its close to the house. We have been there 3 times with the boat and sustained damage at the town dock.

I would proceed directly to Boothbay Harbor. Our home port marina is there. Hodgdons, Boothbay Harbor (aka; Signal Point Marina), recommended! Ian, the dock-master is wonderful. We are very happy we stumbled into this place. Town is an easy 10 minute (or less) walk. There are other large marinas as well.

Going further north... we have been to Rockland by boat and its as far north as we have traveled with the boat. Rockland is nice, but the next time we intend to pass by and continue to Camden, alleged to be much nicer. From there, north do check out Belfast. Great little town, several marinas, one of which is the world famous Front Street Shipyard. Evidently Front Street was just purchased by Safe Harbor, go figure.

Continuing up the coast, I think my next stop would be Stonington, on Deer Isle. From there its a relatively easy shot north east, over to Mt Desert Island. So much history! Southwest Harbor, Bar harbor, Acadia National Park +++. We have been to all these places by car and had a lovely time.

Sorry to be so wordy. I hope this helps.

Maine is tricky. So many out of the way places to go. Its endless. There is actually more coastline (including all the hundreds of Islands) than California. Know how to navigate. Play the tides they are HUGE. Invest in a couple of cruising guides. Of course all marina stops or moorings require a reservation. Dockwa for most. Navionics has the phone numbers.

[Bobko]

Greatly appreciate your input. Safe sailing in 2026