13/08/2026
The first word that comes to mind when we think back on our weekend in Maine is MAGICAL. Even the license plates say “VACATIONLAND” and Maine certainly lives up to every bit of it!
The history, the charming 128-year-old Castine Inn where we stayed, the gorgeous homes, and the dramatic coastline all came together to create one spectacular weekend. Our focus was exploration—both on land and sea—and Maine did not disappoint.
Our daytime kayak excursion took us across the water, zigzagging between buoys, sailboats, and other watercraft anchored in Castine Bay. A refreshing dip in the sea was the perfect respite from the summer sun halfway through our paddle. Later, we gathered back at the inn for an exquisite gourmet meal prepared by the innkeeper and her amazing staff.
Saturday morning we had plenty of time to explore on our own. Some walked through town, while others checked out local sights and the farmers market. We explored a trail beside a local lighthouse, enjoyed some gorgeous sandy beach time, and savored local seafood for dinner before making our way back to the harbor for the evening’s adventure.
Once the sun went down, we set out across the dark water toward the many small islands in the bay. The bioluminescence is best seen during the first two weeks after a new moon, when the sea is at its darkest—and we were lucky enough to experience it at its most spectacular.
As we followed the coastline of several islands, the sparkles and streaks in the water seemed to grow brighter as night fell. Every swish of a paddle created a shimmering dance of light from bioluminescent phytoplankton called dinoflagellates—sometimes referred to as the fireflies of the sea. Unlike fireflies, which use their light to attract mates, these tiny organisms glow to scare off or distract predators. Watching the water light up with every stroke was simply unforgettable.
And the magic didn’t stop there. We were mesmerized by the incredible stargazing and even caught an occasional streak from the Perseid meteor shower. Our guide Karen, the owner of Castine Kayak Adventures, gave us a fascinating talk about the sea creatures below and the constellations above, along with fantastic paddling instruction. She is truly a wealth of knowledge—and an absolute gem to boot!
What an incredible weekend of adventure, nature, friendship, and a little bit of magic! 💙🌊
Our next kayak adventure is already full, but if this sounds like your kind of expedition, make sure you’re on our email list so you’ll be notified next year when registration opens!