October is a Great Sailing Month in Maine
Boating in Maine in late September to October will prove to be a beautiful and calm experience. You will also notice that the cooler temperatures might be the only drawback if you are used to warmer weather season. Below you will see why October is the best season month compared to other months in the year.
Sailing Winds
There are different periods of windy sails that provide sailors with plenty of opportunities to explore. Northeast winds typically occur in months April to June while southwest winds occur in the months July to October.
These winds help keep a steady sail with a relaxed ride on boats. Southeast and northwest winds will vary based on climate patterns from other locations throughout the year.
Best Months to Sail in the State
May to October are prime months to go boating in the state with the exception of mid September if the temperatures are warmer. September will vary depending on other climate factors. You should keep in mind though that not all of the months in between are the best.
The hottest months of the year are June and August but they offer the best winds for sailing and usually have milder warm days in there. The only issue is that summer storms can often come unexpected and bring harsh winds.
May and October specifically are cooler and have less of a chance for unexpected storms. The temperatures will be milder as well.
Fall Sailing is Best
The summer months in Maine do not last very long. June and August are the hottest months of the year and make it unbearable sometimes to be exposed to the sun.
The winter months usually last a bit longer and run from November to April. This also brings a lot of snow and cold temperatures that make sailing no fun.
The sweet spots tend to be when spring arrives or when summer is ending. These months are respectfully May and October.
Lobsters are Amazing in Maine Coast
Lobsters are one of the main sources of income for the state since so many people rely on catching them to make a living. Nothing is better than seeing these people catch your lunch or dinner for the day right before your eyes. There are over 6,000 individuals who can legally catch lobsters in Maine.
The lobsters have a different taste and texture than other lobsters around the world. This is because of the cold water temperatures and less saltwater. If you want the best lobster flavor then sailing in this state in October is your best bet.
Do Not Need Your Own Boat
You can explore Maine’s coastline without having a sailboat. If you do not have a sailboat or do not want to bring yours you can go on cruises.
These are known as Windjammer cruises and can last anywhere between a few hours and a week. You can see key parts of Maine’s coast while aboard a historical sailboat. Try your luck in October when it is less busy compared to the summer months.
Where to Sail in Maine in October?
Maine’s abundant waterways are full of beautiful landmarks that are perfect during fall sailing. There are roughly 3,500 miles worth of of coastline and a little over 4,600 islands (a little over 1,400 are named) to check out while at sea.
There are plenty of harbor and marinas to park your boat so that you can go ashore. You could always start at the top of Maine’s coast and work your way down or whichever way the wind is blowing. In addition most of the locations are National Parks like Acadia or just free access in general to go see.
Penobscot Bay
Penobscot Bay offers plenty of picture taking opportunities with mountains and lighthouses along the coast. You will also find small towns like Camden and Rockport as well as more than 30 islands so definitely plan to spend more than an hour at this spot.
Acadia National Park
Acadia is the home to many different types of wildlife. Roughly half of Mount Desert Island is located here as well as the Schoodic Peninsula.
After you have sailed for the day you can stretch your legs by walking on plenty of trails or take your bike on one of the paths. If you wanted to get off of the coastline for a night you also have the option to camp.
Mount Desert
Mount Desert is the biggest island on Maine’s coastline and is accessible by boats. It is home to the Rock Light Station lighthouse and gives New England a run for its money for tourism.
This is one of many lighthouses you will see but not as popular as the Portland Head Lighthouse. You have likely seen this lighthouse on a postcard or in a magazine since it is the most famous one.
Bar Harbor is the only town here but that just means they get all of the attention once you get off of your boat. They have plenty of restaurant options and are keen to taking care of sailors in this location.
Boothbay Harbor
Boothbay Harbor is home to the Coastal Botanical Gardens and has a rich marine history that is worth exploring. There are also plenty of restaurants with fresh seafood that is hard to get anywhere else so you should consider dropping an anchor here.
Why Sail in Maine?
The Maine coast boasts some of the richest maritime history that you can possibly find and you can enjoy some of the best sailing conditions. The 1600’s were a turning point for life here and you can explore a lot of areas that were crucial to those times.
You will also get to see many different types of aquatic life and may even see various kinds of birds depending on the time of year. After sailing around and locating a marina you can check out some of the best restaurants offering fresh caught seafood like lobster and oysters.
