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Viewing the Clowns of the Sea in Maine
and Outdoor Ice Skating
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Offshore Maine islands provide habitat for the largest population of breeding Atlantic puffins in the United States. Credit: Maine Office of Tourism.
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Maine islands are home to the largest population of breeding Atlantic puffins in the United States. The amusing seabirds with black and white bodies, orange beaks and legs and white clown-like faces begin arriving on five offshore islands in late April and stay until August.
Several tour boat companies provide trips to the islands for on-boat viewing of puffins swimming, diving, socializing and feeding their young.
Eastern Egg Rock: This 11-acre island is the quickest puffin destination to reach, just six miles from New Harbor. More than 240 puffins share the island with colonies of common, Arctic, and roseate terns. The island is visited daily, early June through August, by tour boats from New Harbor and Port Clyde. A third boat cruise departs from Boothbay Harbor three times a week July through late August.
Machias Seal Island: Thousands of puffins populate this 20-acre island nine miles from Cutler Harbor. It is the only island that allows landings - ocean conditions permitting - by visitors to watch and photograph puffins up close inside an observation blind. The island is claimed by both the United States and Canada. Five-hour tours to the island depart from Cutler May through August.
Seal Island: This island owned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has more than 1,000 puffins, along with razorbills, great cormorants, and black guillemots. A limited number of trips to the island depart from Stonington in May, June, July and August.
Petit Manan Island: This 16-acre island provides habitat for puffins and nearly 10 other bird species. One island tour departs from Bar Harbor six days a week from June to mid August, while another leaves from the town of Milbridge.
Matinicus Rock: Group trips are popular to this 32-acre island 18 miles offshore from Rockland. Charter trips for up to 16 people are available from Matinicus Excursions in Rockland.
Outdoor Ice Skating
Here are four places to skate in the sun or under the stars. Part of the Brunswick Town Mall, a green space that borders Maine Street downtown, is flooded for free skating December through March. The Outdoor Center at Sugarloaf resort in Carrabassett Valley has a newly renovated NHL-size rink with music and lights for night skating. The spacious Deering Oaks Pond in the park by the same name is a popular free skating destination in Portland. Belfast's High Street ice rink is open daily and lighted for night skating until 10 p.m.
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What's New and Unique
New Bangor Beer Festival
Bangor's first "Tap Into Summer Beer Festival" is set for June 22 at Waterfront Park. Maine breweries Sea Dog Brewing Company, Geaghan Brothers Brewing Company, Penobscot Bay Brewery and several others will provide samplings of their brews in a special take-home Paul Bunyan glass, and Merideth and Chris from TheBeerGeek.com beer blog will give a keynote speech. A VIP session includes a barbecue lunch and mingling with the brewers.
Inaugural BikeMaine Ride Set for September
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine recently announced New England's first weeklong supported bicycle ride: The BikeMaine 2013 Inaugural Ride happening Sept. 7-14. The eight day/seven night trip will cover 60-75 miles each day, beginning and ending in Orono with stops in Dover-Foxcroft, Belfast, Castine, Bar Harbor and Ellsworth. Camping space, daily meals, ride support and entertainment are included along the moderately difficult 400-mile route designed for adults and experienced riders. The ride has a cap of 350 participants, and half that number will be open to people from outside Maine.
### Media Contact: Charlene Williams On behalf of the Maine Office of Tourism tourism@marshallpr.com 207-623-4177
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