Dear valued customer,
Maine State Sea Kayak is anticipating opening for Memorial Day Weekend. The MSSK team is working diligently to review our Risk Management Plan, specifically in-regards to Covid-19.
We are fortunate in that we have always washed our gear in between trips, kept small group sizes, and been in an activity that already permits physical distancing. Moving forward we will continue to follow current CDC guidelines, and adapt our protocols, policies, and procedures accordingly.
We encourage our upcoming participants to hold off on cancelations opting for postponing of their vacation if necessary. We also would ask our customers to opt for a gift certificate, rather a refund whenever possible.
We thank you for your continued support and send our best to your families in this uncertain time.
Wholeheartedly,
MSSK Team.
About Us
Hello, My name is Brad Jordan and I am the Owner-Operator of Maine State Sea Kayak! This is my life’s dream, and I welcome you to the Quiet side of Acadia.
Since 2000, Maine State Sea Kayak has been delighting adventurers with wildlife tours on the remote western side of Mount Desert Island. We primarily utilize Tandem Sea Kayaks made here in Maine- This allows us an opportunity to cover larger distances in a safe and comfortable manner. We choose not to paddle in the more crowded Bar Harbor/Frenchman’s bay region, instead we opt for the “Quiet-side” of Acadia. Our more remote routes allow us to respectfully paddle through wildlife habitat, to feel alone on our excursions, and to focus on providing more Nature-Based paddling opportunities! We are so confident in the routes we paddle that we now offer a Wildlife Guarantee!
Core values: We are driven by six core values-Build The Team, Be Safe, Share The Passion, Respect Wildlife, Promote Youth Paddling and Be Environmental Stewards.
Why choose us?
- “Closest to NATURE” -This is our promise to you! If you wish to paddle the Quiet-side, we are the only sea kayak company based on the backside of MDI. Our launch sites are located on the Quiet side, all under 15 minutes shuttle from our shop. Our shop offers hassle free on-site parking!
- Commitment to the environment- We believe we are extremely blessed to have the opportunity to operate on Acadia’s quiet-side! We strive to give back, to reduce our footprint, to engage locals and visitors in beach clean-ups and initiatives aimed at preserving this beautiful island habitat.
- We are also Maine’s Highest Rated Sea Kayak outfitter! I thank my team for this!
Safety-
- Perfect safety record
- All guide’s required to demonstrate/maintain rescue and paddle skills beyond holding guide license
- We continuously review/update our risk management plan…Ask about this before booking any tour!
- Fresh, yet experienced ownership- A fresh set of eyes goes a long ways in terms of safety, program planning, and marketing. Procedures should continuously be reviewed/improved upon. It is difficult to do so without seeing the entire operation- Brad is actively involved on every level, seeking feedback from his peers and reaching out to industry leaders- because he is aware that stagnation is risky to business. He focuses on building teams, and allows the rest to occur naturally
TOP RATED on TripAdvisor and Yelp!
Wildlife Galore!
“We went out on the 4pm-8pm, 6.5- mile tour with a group of 11 people, launching near Bartlett Island and ending at Clark Cove. Our guide, Brad, was fantastic. He has an uncanny and super human ability to spot wildlife from a quarter mile away. We saw harbor seals, 5 bald eagles (including a fledgling!), porpoises, osprey, crabs, sea stars, and more. The equipment was good and the tour very safe. It was a one-way trip, where they drove us to the start and back from finish. They strategically planned the paddling direction to have the current and breeze at our backs, making for a really pleasant ride.” – Erin R
Awesome Kayak Trip!
“My mom and I had such a great time with Maine State Sea Kayak! The staff were friendly and professional, and had very nice equipment for us and clear instructions on how to use the gear. We went on the 4 hour trip, and saw so much wildlife and beautiful scenery! It is incredible to be in the water right next to the seals and porpoises! Our guide was helpful and funny. We were taken in a van to our drop off point, and then picked up again in the van and taken back to the office/parking lot afterwards.” – jasmines328
Great day kayaking the quiet side of MDI
“Had a beautiful morning kayaking on the quiet side of Mount Desert Island. I have paddled all over the island and this is a favorite spot. There is hardly any boat traffic which makes it ideal for kayakers. Brad our guide was an excellent spotter for wildlife. During our paddle we saw harbor seals, eagles, loons and great blue herons. A great trip for beginners as well as experienced paddlers.” – SusieOSullivan
Maine State Sea Kayak
254 Main Street
Southwest Harbor, Maine 04679
