Bar Harbor Boats / Boating, Sailing & Boat Rental

There are numerous bodies of water in Acadia National Park including lakes, ponds and streams. A good number of the lakes and ponds permit boating with each having special regulations and limits regarding the type of boats and the horsepower limit of the boats. To get a real feel for the Park, it can be fun to rent a boat, canoe, or kayak and see it from one of the many lakes and ponds.

All of the towns on Mount Desert Island have boat-launching areas for saltwater excursions near town docks and municipal piers. You can also rent boats within Acadia National Park to tour the many waterways within the Park. Kayaks, canoes, sailboats and motorboats are available for rent in many of the local communities. There are also a number of commercial ventures, which offer ferryboat service, fishing excursions, nature cruises, simple sailing and even whale watching.

Remember that the law requires that each passenger in a boat have ready access to a Coast Guard approved life vest. Also, when renting a boat be sure that it is one that you are capable of handling and/or chose to take an excursion that is fully staffed with knowledgeable seamen.