Portland, ME: Southport Island Water Trail
See ospreys, harbor seals, and great blue herons on this 11.3-mile paddle past coves, sheltered islands, rocky coast, sandy beach, and a lobster/ice cream shack.
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Mapped by Kari Bodnarchuk
Trail Facts
- Distance: 18.3
Waypoints
SIW001
Location: 43.8294486999512, -69.678352355957
Launch off rocks next to boatyard and head NE out of cove
SIW002
Location: 43.8321342468262, -69.6745681762695
Head R into finger-shaped cove in search of great blue heron; retrace route out of cove, turn R between Southport Island (on R) and two small unnamed islands
SIW003
Location: 43.8342514038086, -69.6724700927734
Cross Ebenecook Harbor to S tip of Boston Island; see cormorants, seagulls, and ducks sunning on rocks
SIW004
Location: 43.858081817627, -69.6880493164062
Paddle NNW across channel to sheltered beach on N side of Powderhorn Island (just SW of Isle of Springs)
SIW005
Location: 43.8722343444824, -69.686767578125
Paddle NNE along W side of Isle of Springs; look for harbor seals on rocks off NW tip; then paddle SSE
SIW006
Location: 43.8665504455566, -69.6822280883789
Osprey nest on green “1” channel marker at N tip of Isle of Springs; paddle on E side, cross to Spectacle Island
SIW007
Location: 43.8591003417969, -69.6750335693359
Turn R, heading SW and following W side of Spectacle (stop for a stretch); continue SW to Boston Island
SIW008
Location: 43.8530349731445, -69.6768341064453
From NE tip of Boston Island, head SSE to Cameron Point
SIW009
Location: 43.8519515991211, -69.6683654785156
Go SE through Townsend Gut (hug shore); pass under swing bridge; turn R (SW) into cove, land near Robinson’s Wharf
SIW010
Location: 43.8411102294922, -69.654899597168
Robinson’s Wharf: Great spot for lobster, clams, burgers. Retrace route
SIW011
Location: 43.8517303466797, -69.6681289672852
At green “7” channel marker, turn L, follow coast back to boatyard