CCA CRUISING GUIDE TO MAINE

FAVORITE HARBORS & ANCHORAGES OF THE CRUISING CLUB OF AMERICA

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LET US BE YOUR GUIDE TO EXPLORE MAINE BY SEA

SEE OUR MAP OF OUR FAVORITE HARBORS AND ANCHORAGES

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The Cruising Club of America invites you to cruise the rugged coast of Maine with our well-informed members as your guides. 

 

Most cruising guides list hundreds of places to visit. We simplify your planning by highlighting only the best harbors and anchorages while providing essential information and opinions.

 

Dozens of CCA members use their wide-ranging experiences to curate these lists. Facts are updated continuously throughout the year using local knowledge to keep this your most up-to-date resource. 

 

Key Features: 1) Multiple Harbors - places with essential marine and provisioning services in each region. 2) Many Anchorages - more isolated places with scenic beauty and a sense of solitude. 3) Navionics chart for every location. 4) Local weather and wind forecast via Windy.com. 5) Local tide predictions thanks to US Harbors. 6) Detailed local information, including hiking options and other things to do.


Please tell the CCA what we’re doing right and wrong via Feedback, so we can learn from your experiences.


Also, please browse our general cruising and safety advice -- especially How to Plan A Maine Cruise.

The Cruising Club of America is a not-for-profit collection of skilled offshore sailors who provide valuable cruising and safety information as a public service to making our sport more accessible and enjoyable for all.

How to use this Guide

For Cruisers. From Cruisers

By R. J. Rubadeau

By Tom Babbitt

nav table with chart, CCA cruising guide on iPad, computer screen showing chartplotter image
Birdwatching in Maine Waters

Dorothy Wadlow

Atlantic puffin with wings outstretched
Cruisers in the waters of Maine have a unique opportunity to observe birds and animals in their natural environments. Here are a few suggestions to make your onboard birdwatching more rewarding and enjoyable.
Marine Mammals in the Gulf of Maine

Julien Delarue

Seal holding a fish in its mouth
Cruisers exploring the Gulf of Main have unique opportunities to observe seabirds and marine mammals in their natural environments. Here are a few suggestions to make your on-board wildlife viewing more rewarding and enjoyable.
2024 Storm Update

Tom Babbitt

The 2024 Winter Storm has wreaked havoc on the Maine coastline. Here we get an update from those living in it with the plans for the Maine Guides future.
Provisioning Opportunities: Portland to Penobscot Bay

Howard Coon

grocery totes loaded into dinghy at dock
Though more populous than the coastal region from Rockland to Mount Desert, once you leave Portland, convenient harborside provisioning is rare until you get to Rockland. This owes to the geography and nature of coastal living in this region as compared to downeast. In this region, town centers are often located at the head of the […]
Tips for Successful and Stress-Free Cruising in Maine

Howard Coon

early morning fog beyond islands, calm water
There is no question that the coast of Maine is a treasure chest full of delights for the cruising sailor. Cruisers come from all over the world to experience the unique variety and quality of this coast. There are also some unique challenges along the coast, but with a bit of care and planning the totality of the adventure is unmatched and unforgettabl
Is Camden the Best Maine Harbor For Cruisers?

Tom Babbitt

The author might be biased as it is his home port but after thousands of miles, there is a reason he calls it home.
September Cruising in Maine: A Time of Transition

Tom Babbitt

The weather gets a little cooler but this is some of the best time to cruise Maine.
Provisioning opportunities:  Rockland to Mount Desert Island

Tom Babbitt

While we are lucky to have a large and efficient freezer and refrigerator on board that runs all summer due to significant solar and battery resources, we still yearn for fresh fruits and vegetables, pastries and dairy on a regular basis, hence we are, like most others, eager for a provisioning stop once or twice a week.
Tips for Sailing in the Fog

Tom Babbitt

Fog is Fun! Someone out there has been giving Maine fog a bad name. They say it’s treacherous, dangerous, difficult to navigate in and to be avoided at all costs. Perhaps with some tips and perspective adjustment, we can change all that negative energy that fog seems to attract. My wife, Jane, and I have […]
Spring Sailing: Overcoming Inertia

Tom Babbitt

I have been whining about not sailing for the past six or seven months to the great irritation of my loyal and patient bride (of 50 years) and now that the boat is finally in the water, I find that this weekend, a full three weeks after launch, we will FINALLY be going for a […]
Introduction to Cruising Maine

Bob Rubadeau

Maine dares you to try and love it. Daily life on the rugged Acadian coast is tide-scrabble hard. It is not a place for the timid or those who like to run around naked. To cruise your boat in these waters, you must earn your salt and prepare yourself to find challenges at every harbor […]
How to Plan a Maine Cruise

Tom Babbitt

nav table with chart, CCA cruising guide on iPad, computer screen showing chartplotter image
There’s good and bad news about planning a cruise in Maine. The good news is that there are over 1000 destinations and 3,500 miles of coastline from which to choose. The bad news is that there are so many choices that it may seem impossible to come up with an enjoyable cruise itinerary. Fortunately, this […]
New Year’s Resolutions for Safety

Chuck Hawley

It is time to commit to a culture of safety onboard all boats.
How to Download a Page to Read Offline Later

Kate Somers

If you know you will be without internet, here is how you can download pages for later.
Towing Insurance Tips

Max Fletcher

While many experienced sailors rightly take pride in being self-reliant and self-sufficient, stuff happens. That is particularly true in Maine, where tide and currents, occasional thick fog, and rocky ledges require considerable vigilance. And no matter how careful you are, sooner or later, you will probably snag a lobster buoy. Depending on the circumstances, it […]
More Tips

Safety Resources from the Cruising Club of America for Cruisers

Safety and Seamanship

After thousands of miles and places visited, many of our members take a moment to share what they have learned. We offer the articles and courses for cruisers of all types.

LEARN MORE

Cruising with Couples

The book is aimed at the less-experienced crewmember and promotes partnership and teamwork between skipper and crew to ensure they can handle an emergency on their own boat.

LEARN MORE

Environment of the Sea

As members of the CCA, we sail and explore the oceans of the world with a spirit of adventure and a strong sense of stewardship for the oceans we love. We are looking to be a part of the solution.

LEARN MORE

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