Other Activities
There is never a lack of activities while camping at Hermit Island. If the above ones don’t suit your need, then there are also a few others. These could be a guided tour by the island’s own biologist. You could also go tide pooling or take a sunset cruise on Casco Bay. There is always something provided, and the best part is they are all free to island campers. Here are the other activities.
Biologist Tours: The island even has its own staff biologist, Ronnie Kamphausen, who leads many tours of the island throughout the week. Some of these trips include going tide pooling at Sailboat Beach, going to the mud flats to search for different animals, looking for deer and other animals in the dense forest, taking campers on outside campground trips to different nearby mountains and hiking trails, and guiding the Nature Cruise on board of the Yankee. All of her trips are always fun, as she can even get you into some restricted areas. For a weekly list of her tours including descriptions, obtain a print-out list at the Kelp Shed. see Ronnie's website
Yankee Tours: The island has its own boat, called the Yankee. You will see it mentioned at many places on the island. The Yankee leads many different cruises and trips each week, including some that are narrated. See the Yankee schedule below for a list of these tours. These trips leave from the yardarm on Harbor Grove. They can be booked and paid for at the Kelp Shed. Also, be sure to book early because some trips are very popular and book up fast. see complete schedule
SCHEDULE:
Island Sail: Tuesday and Friday, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Adults $16, Children $11
Sunset Cruise: Tuesday through Friday, 6:30 pm. to dark, Adults $16, Children $11
Holbrook’s Lunch Cruise: Wednesday, 11 p.m. to 2 p.m., Adults $16, Children $11
Nature Trip: Thursday, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Adults $24, Children $15
Fishing: Tuesday and Thursday, 8 a.m. to noon, Adults $34, Children $18, Gear Included
Seguin Island Light House Station: See the Kelp Shed for dates, Adults $40, Children $20
Personal Charter: Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays, $200 per hour
v For Yankee availibility and reservations, please call 207-389-1788.
Tide Pooling: The tide pools on the island offer a great way to view different undersea life without going into the sometimes cold water. Tide pools contain a variety of wildlife, including eels, starfish, snails, crabs, and possibly small lobster. The best place to go tide pooling on the island is at Sailboat Beach, but you can also go to Sand Dollar Beach as well. Be sure to bring a bucket and a net and see what you can find.
Clamming: One of the best activities on the island is to go clamming for clams in the harbor right next to the island store. It is also a great way to catch dinner, while playing in the mud. Clamming is very fun in the harbor, but be sure to go only at low tide, because the tide can come in very quickly. A license for clamming is required, and can be purchased for a small fee at the Kelp Shed. Children under 16 still need a license, but it is free. Large picks can be rented at the store, with a small deposit for each. After going clamming, the clams can be cooked at your campsite, making it a great meal for your entire group.
Lobstering: The waters of the Casco Bay provide an abundance of fresh lobster, great for the taking. The lobster can be caught with traps off of the island coastline. This lobster makes a great dinner at night for your friends and family. If you don’t have a lobster boat or traps, then the island sells lobster as well as other fresh seafood, live at the Kelp Shed. If the price is too high, then there are plenty of stores nearby.
Biking: Practically every camper on the island has a bike, as it has become the main form of transportation on the island. The roads are too bumpy for cars, and too long to walk down. You will see them everywhere, at beach entrances, the Kelp Shed and store, and at the campsites. A bike has basically become a requirement for all campers. Bike racks and parking are availible outside the Kelp Shed, and the island insists on helmets worn by all children. For more information and pictures, see the biking page.
Entertainment: The island usually has some sort of entertainment weekly, which is normally provided for free at the Kelp Shed. One example would be a band the island hires called the Muddy Marsh Ramblers. When we went in 2008, they were playing every other Wedsneday night. Other activities featured included native american demonstrations and birds of pray demonstrations. To find out what is happening for the days your are staying at the island, check the schedule at the Kelp Shed.
An official local page for Phippsburg and Bath activities, hotels, and restaurants is on its way!!! Click here to see the page under construction.
Local Activities:The surrounding area of Hermit Island is full of great activities the entire family will enjoy. Here is a list of nearby activities to Hermit Island.
v Popham Beach: A large, beautiful beach only five minutes from the campground. The beach is known by the locals for being a great place to walk or swim. There are many entrances to the beach, but the main one is through Popham Beach State Park on Rt. 209. (207) 389-1335 (picture at top) website
v Fort Popham: A large, circular fort that was never fully completed. Today, it stands at the end of Popham Beach. It is open to the public from Memorial Day to September 30th. It is located at the end of Rt. 209 in Phippsburg, Maine. (207) 389-1335 or (207) 624-6080. (picture bottom left) website
v Maine Maritime Museum: This museum features the history of the maritime region of Maine. It includes many exhibits and demonstrations, tours of the original shipbuilding buildings, and plenty of hands-on activities. There are also seasonal river cruises as well. There is a small fee for entrance. Located on Washington Street in Historic Bath. (207) 443 1316 or http://www.mainemaritimemuseum.org/
v Bath: The city of Bath itself has many attractions for people to enjoy. Stroll and shop on downtown Front Street, watch a play at the Studio Theatre of Bath, try some of Bath’s exquisite dining options, or simply relax along the coast. Bath has something for everyone to enjoy, and it is only about ten minutes from Hermit Island. http://www.visitbath.com
Any of the above activities make for a great day trip when visiting Hermit Island, especially if you are there for a longer period of time. Maine is all about relaxing, and at Hermit Island you will find that out very quickly upon arriving.
Left: Fort Popham Right: Downtown Bath shops
