Pepperrell Cove in Kittery, ME is one of several premier kayaking destinations for paddlers in southern Maine. Pepperrell Cove’s beautiful views, central location and all-tide boat ramp make it easy for paddlers of all experience levels to launch a kayak and enjoy a day on the water.
Located near the Atlantic Ocean on the Maine side of the mighty Piscatacqua River, Pepperrell Cove’s location lends itself to several paddling trips of varying lengths.
Depending on one’s experience and skill level, a kayaker may opt to paddle in the cove or venture down Chauncey Creek to Brave Boat Harbor. Other paddlers may choose a trip down the Piscataqua River and over to Little Harbor and some may choose to travel up the Piscataqua River to Spruce Creek or other locales. Several worth while trips originate from Pepperrell Cove making this a very popular launch site for kayakers in southern Maine.
WHY PADDLE HERE? – For harbor views, scenic beauty, coastal nature, a tidal water experience, or a combination paddle/beach day.
Lisa launching 1.5 hours before low tide.
Paddling in Pepperrell Cove.
Bobbi and Johnna paddling the Point65N Martini break-apart tandem kayak.
Paddling across Pepperrell Cove toward the Piscataqua River.
We’ve now paddled out of the cove and into the Piscataqua River. The Wood Island Life Saving Station is seen in the distance.
Beautiful views from the beach. Fort Foster pier, Wood Island Life Saving Station and the Whaleback Lighthouse are seen in the distance.
Plenty of beach to spend time on at low tide.
Looking across the Piscataqua River from the north side at low tide.
Paddling by the Wood Island Life Saving Station.
Looking toward the Whaleback Lighthouse.
We paddled around this area for a little bit and then reversed course.
THE PADDLING ROUTE – We launched 1.5 hrs. before low tide and paddled across Pepperrell Cove then headed east along the northern side of the Piscatacqua River to access the beach area just west of Fort Foster. We ate lunch on the beach and then paddled in the waters adjacent to Fort Foster before returning to spend more time on the beach. We then reversed course paddling with the incoming tide back to the boat ramp.
CAUTIONS- Tides, waves, fog, rapidly changing weather conditions and frequent large boat traffic.
Covid-19 rules apply at the pier and boat ramp.
Kittery, ME town boat launch at Pepperrell Cove near low tide.
$5.00 Kayak Launch fee. Cash Only.
PARKING & LAUNCH – The town of Kittery, ME maintains a working pier with an all-tide boat ramp located at the end of Bellamy Lane. There are approximately ten free parking spots available to the public at the pier. The rest of the parking spots are either resident parking or limited to one hour. There is a $5 launch fee per kayak. Pay envelopes are located at the top of the boat ramp. The Harbormaster’s office is located at the pier and both the Harbormaster and the local police are frequently on-site at the pier.
RESTROOMS – Yes! There is a singular public bathroom located at the end of the Harbormaster’s office building.
WHEN TO VISIT – Avoid busy summer weekends and holidays if you can as public parking is limited at the boat ramp. Paddle 2 hrs. either side of high tide for the easiest paddling. If you love spending time on the beach, launch 2-3 hrs. before low tide for the best access to the beaches and return at least 1 hr. after low tide.
WHY PADDLE HERE? – For the annual, weeklong Windjammer Days celebration of course! A grand opportunity to view majestic Windjammer Ships entering and exiting the harbor under full sail. Also paddle here for coastal scenic beauty, harbor views and a tidal water experience.
Getting ready to launch, pedestrian bridge in distance
Heading out
Paddling toward main harbor
Paddling toward main harbor
Paddling toward main harbor
Entering the main harbor
Checking out the ships
Checking out the ships
Laury taking a closer look at the 122′ long Tall Ship Lynx, homeport Portsmouth, NH
Main mast of the Tall Ship Lynx
Watching the boats
Lots of activity in the harbor today
The 122′ long Schooner American Eagle, the last fishing schooner built in Gloucester, MA. Homeport Rockland, ME
We tucked into this area to view the ships as they sailed by
The 65′ long Schooner Eastwind hand built by Harold and Doris Smith. Homeport Boothbay Harbor, ME
A closer view of the Schooner Eastwind
The 58″ long Schooner Ardelle is a pinky schooner constructed almost entirely from recycled material. Homeport Gloucester, MA
A closer view of Schooner Ardelle
More Schooners coming
The 70′ long Schooner ALERT, homeport Bailey Island, ME
A closer view of the 70′ Schooner ALERT
Laury hamming it up for the camera
Searching for less congested waters
Searching for less congested waters
Beautiful views
Beautiful views
Paddling toward the western part of the harbor
Back in the now quiet main harbor after the rain
Lisa checking out the 95′ Schooner Heritage, homeport Rockland, ME
A closer view of the Schooner Heritage
Paddling back to the inn before the next rain
Passing Tidal Transit Kayak Co.
End of paddle, Blue Heron Seaside Inn and dock shown in distance
THE PADDLING ROUTE – After launching from the dock at the Blue Heron Seaside Inn, we paddled under the pedestrian foot bridge and into the main harbor. Once in the harbor proper, we avoided the main channel paddling alongside the edge for a front row seat to view the Schooners as they entered the harbor. And what a view we had, we couldn’t have picked a better route for viewing the ships, simply spectacular! Schooner after schooner past by us making all of our effort to get here well worth the trip.
Because of all the Windjammer Days activities, the harbor was extremely congested with large and small boat traffic and the water was choppy as well, making it difficult to linger in one place for very long. After viewing the ships for a while we decided to put a little distance between the congested harbor and our kayaks.
Still hugging the shoreline for as long as possible, we paddled passed past Mill Point, crossed over the entrance to Mill Cove and past Railway Point. After exploring this western section we reversed course and began paddling back when a sudden, unanticipated driving rain caused us to immediately seek shelter underneath the nearest dock. Visibility during the short fifteen minute storm was extremely limited and when the rain finally lifted the harbor was empty, all of the boats and onlookers previously lining the harbor had retreated to avoid the sudden rain.
After the rain, we paddled into quiet Mill Cove for a short time and then paddled back into the now deserted main harbor enjoying the calmer waters and taking a closer look at the Schooner Heritage and the harbor itself before paddling back under the pedestrian bridge and returning to the dock at the Blue Heron Seaside Inn.
Despite the rain and because of it, this trip is one we will likely remember for a very long time. Overall, it was a great experience to have viewed and paddled with ships of a bygone era.
CAUTIONS!-Frequent large and commercial boat traffic, especially during Windjammer Days, as well as rapidly changing weather and sea conditions. If you paddle during the arrival of the fleet, bring your A game, you’ll need it to navigate the constant chop, boat wake and boat congestion, on this day it’s very easy to find yourself in another boater’s way. If you’re not an experienced kayaker, your better off viewing the fleet’s arrival from the docks and saving your paddle for a less hectic day.
We stayed at the Blue Heron Seaside Inn and launched from their dock
Blue Heron Seaside Inn dock
Blu Heron Seaside Inn dock
View from inn parking lot
PARKING & LAUNCH – We stayed with our husbands at the BlueHeron Seaside Inn65 Townsend St. in Boothbay Harbor, a lovely waterfront inn located at the end of the harbor featuring a dock directly behind the inn. Ability to launch from the inn’s dock exists at half-tide or higher.
If you don’t own a kayak, or would rather rent or take a group kayak tour, Tidal Transit Kayak Co. is conveniently located four doors down from the inn. Walk on over and talk to the friendly owner, Travis Journagan, for knowledge about the local paddling scene. He may even offer a free lesson in how to safely launch from a dock.
If you do bring your own kayak, you might also consider launching at the all-tide public boat ramp located at the Dept. of Marine Services 194 McKnown Point Rd. West Boothbay Harbor, a few minutes drive from the inn.
RESTROOMS – The only public restrooms available are next to the Dept. of Marine Service building in West Boothbay Harbor if you are paddling that far. The restrooms are only open when the marine service building is open.
WHEN TO VISIT – Anytime during the warm summer months or early fall is a great time to paddle Boothbay Harbor. It’s a popular tourist destination so you’ll have plenty of company. Planning your visit around the annualWindjammer Days celebration week is especially fun as there are numerous events held throughout the week.