Build core strength with a paddleboard workout on the water
1.5 hours
SUP, paddle, personal flotation device
Cancel more than 48 hours ahead for a full refund; 2–48 hours ahead for a 50% refund. No refund less than 2 hours before start. Full refund or rescheduling if the operator cancels due to weather.
Use the free all-day lot halfway down Cutter Street, about 50 yards from Portland Paddle. Free street parking may also be available in nearby residential neighborhoods. Spaces beside Portland Paddle have 5-minute or 2-hour limits, and some are reserved for boat trailers.
Public bathrooms and changing rooms are available during limited hours. A private portable toilet is also available for customers.
Wetsuits are available and are especially useful early in the summer before the water warms.
East End Beach in Portland
This kayaking outfit offers both guided tours and independent rentals along Casco Bay, and the guided experiences clearly shine. Tour leaders like Josh, Dan, Whitney, Joe, and Michael earn consistent praise for being knowledgeable, friendly, and skilled at mixing local history with wildlife spotting. People specifically mention seeing seals, ospreys, and herons, plus getting fascinating historical context about Fort Gorges and the coastline. The sunset and half-day bay tours seem to be crowd favorites, with guides creating that sweet spot between adventure and relaxation that makes for a memorable outing. Here's where it gets tricky: if you're planning to rent equipment independently rather than join a tour, you need to be extremely specific when booking. Several frustrated reviewers drove an hour after calling ahead, only to be turned away because staff didn't have time for the required safety course. There's also a concerning incident where someone felt their life jacket wasn't properly checked before heading out solo, leading to a dangerous situation in the water. The pattern is clear: the guided tours run smoothly with experienced, attentive staff, but the rental side seems to have communication and safety protocol issues. For off-peak visits, definitely book tours in advance since they may cancel without enough participants. If you're considering a rental, call ahead multiple times and confirm exactly what's required, or better yet, just spring for a guided tour where the stellar guides will take care of everything.
We did the 2 hour sunset kayaking tour at 6:00 PM and it was one of our favorite things we did in Maine. Our group of 9-10 people were awesome to be apart of! The group really had a great atmosphere and we all were in it together. We kayaked to an island and saw a ton (30+) of seals. Very cool experience! The group instructor, Sam was very knowledgeable and helped us get situated with ease. Great time and learned a lot. Also the group instructor takes photos for you and shares them via text afterwards. Very happy we were able to squeeze this in!
Ryan Main
July 7, 2026
We did the 2 hour sunset kayaking tour at 6:00 PM and it was one of our favorite things we did in Maine. Our group of 9-10 people were awesome to be apart of! The group really had a great atmosphere and we all were in it together. We kayaked to an island and saw a ton (30+) of seals. Very cool experience! The group instructor, Sam was very knowledgeable and helped us get situated with ease. Great time and learned a lot. Also the group instructor takes photos for you and shares them via text afterwards. Very happy we were able to squeeze this in!
Ryan Main
July 7, 2026