As the summer sailing season is upon us, many cruisers in the Northeast will turn their bows toward the coast of Maine, which many veteran cruisers consider one of the world’s best cruising grounds, even with all those lobster pots. Cruisers Tom and Jane Babbiit have lived in Camden, Maine, on the shores of Penobscot Bay, for a long time and as members of the Cruising Club of America have contributed enormously to the club’s online Maine Cruising Guide. Here Tom offers his thoughts on why Camden may be the best harbor in Maine for cruisers. G.D. (Photo credits: Habnor aerial by Doug Bruce, Harbor view by Tom Babbitt and Schooners by Jane Babbitt.)
Let’s start with full disclosure. Camden has been our home and home port for over 30 years, during which time we’ve also cruised the entire east coast of the US as well as most of the Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean multiple times. We’ve got some basis for comparison.
Surrounded by the majestic Camden Hills to the west and the incomparable Penobscot Bay to the east, the stunning natural beauty of the place is unmatched. The downtown area hugs the busy inner harbor while affording views of the large and semi-protected outer harbor including picturesque Curtis Island, which is open to the public and well worth a visit.
Camden is a pleasant place where locals will make eye contact with you and oncoming traffic will likely stop to allow you to make a left turn or let you into line when traffic backs up, and pedestrians are waved across at the crosswalks.
Amenities abound with an award-winning library on the harbor as well as an amphitheater and waterfront park. A modern and active YMCA as well as excellent walking and hiking trails—with some trail heads easily accessible from the harbor—give every opportunity to stay fit and healthy. Excellent schools, an opera house, and an engaged and energetic population make for a stimulating environment year-round.
And, of course, while maritime activities dominate in the warmer months, the fall colors and festivals ease the transition to winter when the town-owned ski resort is a big draw.
For the cruiser who may only spend a few days in Camden, there is a plethora of resources all within 500 feet of the town landing. Consider the following offerings:
- Over 20 restaurants (7 of which are on the waterfront)
- 7 hotels and B & Bs
- 6 day and overnight schooners
- 5 art galleries
- 5 interior design/home furnishing stores
- An extraordinarily wonderful grocery store
- A pharmacy
- An independent bookstore
- A cupcakery
- A candy store
- A wine seller
- An outdoor apparel and LL Bean mini-branch
- A propane-filling facility
- A choice of slips, inner harbor floats and outer harbor moorings available from Lyman Morse, Camden Yacht Club or Camden Harbormaster, in addition to space for anchoring in the outer harbor
- A full-service yacht yard with Travel Lift and array of shops, restaurants, and other enticements on the wharf
We think you’ll be rewarded with a unique and enjoyable experience on every visit to this extraordinary destination on the coast of Maine, and yes, without even a hint of bias, we emphatically believe that Camden Harbor is the best there is. Check it out in the Guide and let us know if you agree.
Addendum
This story appears on the Cruising Club of America’s online Cruising Guide to Maine (https://guides.cruisingclub.org). The free guide was created by over 30 deeply experienced CCA cruisers who have spent decades exploring Maine’s coast, and is consistent with the CCA’s mission of sharing its knowledge. Continuously updated, each of more than 70 selected locations are supplemented by Navionics charts, tide tables, wind and weather forecasts as well as abundant advice, resources and Itineraries. Tom and Jane Babbitt serve as the guide’s lead editors. They have cruised Maine for more than 45 years and have been sailing far and wide out of their home port of Camden for much of that time.
