Castine

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Welcome to Castine

THINGS TO SEE
PLACES TO EAT
PLACES TO STAY
WHERE TO DOCK

BY MAINE STANDARDS, THE SHELTERED RIVER PORT OF CASTINE IN THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF PENOBSCOT BAY IS SORT OF BACKWARD. NORMALLY, BOATERS TRAVEL UP A LONG RIVER BEFORE ARRIVING AT A HARBOR TOWN. BUT IN CASTINE, IT’S THE OTHER WAY AROUND. THE TOWN IS LOCATED AT THE MOUTH OF THE BAGADUCE (BAG-A-DOOSE) RIVER, AND THE CHART INDICATES THAT TRAVELING THIS RIVER IS EVEN MORE FUN THE FARTHER UPSTREAM YOU VENTURE.

Although it’s a small town with a year-round population of only 1,300 or so, that number nearly triples in summer. Visiting trailer boaters are advised to get to the town wharf and launch ramp early to avoid the crowds and find parking. Those arriving by water can tie up at the town wharf (space permitting), or drop anchor across from the harbor in Smith Cove. There is a time limit of 30 minutes throughout much of the day, but you can tie up overnight after 3:00 p.m. if there’s room. The town also manages 2 large moorings for visiting schooners, but if either of these are vacant the harbormaster may be able to arrange a rental. There are also a couple of marinas and a yacht club that offer transient services.

Eaton’s Boatyard stands ready to assist transient boaters.

Once ashore, if you’re looking to get the local scoop on happenings in town, drop by Castine Variety. Since at least the early 1900s, the store at the corner of Water and Main Streets has been a place for locals and visitors alike to congregate, swap stories and rumors, and buy something small and delightful to enliven the day. With its creaky wooden floors, floor-to-ceiling shelves, ancient small grill in the back near the spin stools and short lunch counter, Castine Variety feels like a throwback to the 1950s, or earlier.

The town itself is beautiful. In front yards of residential homes, giant elms soar above the streets, mingling with mammoth oaks, long hedges of rhododendron, a smattering of crab apples and stately maples. Clearly, Castine is a town that values its plants and trees as much as its generous helpings of well-maintained Georgian, Victorian, Federal and Italianate homes.

If you’re up for a stroll, Dice Head Light at the mouth of the Penobscot River is just a mile outside of town. Although the lighthouse is no longer in service, getting to it allows you to walk along a lovely street that parallels the Bagaduce River, providing great water views and glimpses of handsome boats.

Another worthwhile stop is the Maine Maritime Academy, a public, co-ed engineering and science college. Founded in 1941, largely in response to World War II manpower demands, the academy has become a dominant presence in town. From the 500-foot training ship “State of Maine”, which is sometimes berthed just west of the town wharf, to the main campus of 800 or so students who occupy much of the northwest corner of town, the academy is mostly responsible for the town’s current prosperity.


A bronze bell from the ill-fated merchant ship “Azalea City,” which was torpedoed in 1942,
adorns the memorial flagpole in front of Levitt Hall at the Maine Maritime Academy.

Before the academy’s appearance, however, the once proud and prosperous town of Castine had fallen on hard times. French explorer Samuel de Champlain was the first to chart the area in 1612, when enthusiasm for what was to become Castine ran high. Champlain’s commercial interests lay in the peninsula’s strategic position at the confluence of 2 big rivers leading well inland—the smaller Bagaduce to the east and the larger Penobscot to the west. This useful arrangement was not lost on English explorer Captain John Smith, who charted the Castine area in 1614 for British interests. Thus the stage was set for 100 years or so of struggle between French and British forces, with a little Dutch romp through the area thrown in for good measure. It wasn’t until 1667 that a French officer named Jean-Vincent d’Abbadie de St. Castin was involved, and his name stuck with the settlement that became Castine.

During the American Revolution, the British built Fort George on the high ground of Castine and prepared to defend it against Continental Army troops and ships dispatched from Massachusetts. What followed was one of the worst defeats in U.S. naval history. The troops never came ashore except to retreat overland after British warships pursuing the American fleet up the Penobscot River forced them to run aground.

As careless boaters often learn, running aground is not hard to accomplish in these parts, although you shouldn’t let this deter you from exploring the local rivers, especially the Bagaduce. Be aware that most chart kits don’t include an entire map of the roughly 10-nautical-mile, horseshoe-shaped Bagaduce, so you may want to purchase NOAA chart 13309, which shows the entire waterway. As you ascend the Bagaduce, the surrounding countryside becomes, at first, steep and hilly. The shores are mostly wooded with a pleasant mix of evergreens and deciduous trees, a pattern that is interrupted occasionally by a meadow rolling down to the water’s edge, with perhaps an old farmhouse and barn set back up the slope. This is, after all, the home of the fabled 40-acre farm made famous by author E. B. White.

This section of the river is called the Narrows—one of two listed on the chart—and the current can accelerate to 3 or 4 knots as the river width contracts to 100 yards or so. Beyond the first Narrows, the Bagaduce widens to form South Bay, with privately owned Youngs Island serving as the centerpiece.


Paddleboarders and kayakers will find plenty of quiet, protected water to
explore in and around Castine.

North of Youngs, the current slows considerably and the waters contain only a few lonely oyster-farm floats along the shores of Northern Bay. The water here can be warm enough for a swim.

If you wish to continue along the Bagaduce via South Bay, you can head through a deep, unmarked channel just east of Youngs Island. The channel varies from 10 to 30 feet deep, with deep holes up to 70 feet deep here and there. Between the chart and depthsounder, it’s easy to stay out of trouble even as you enter the second Narrows, between Johnson Point and Green Island.

In the southeast corner of Herrick Bay, you can stop at Bagaduce Lunch, an old-fashioned roadside take-out and ice cream emporium (they serve Gifford’s, of course) in Brooksville, complete with a dock for customers arriving by boat. If you wish to explore the river even further, be aware that you’ll have to negotiate a fixed bridge (vertical clearance 7 feet). This bridge, with its reversing falls, is a popular spot for whitewater canoeing and kayaking when the tide is running full bore.

If you’re looking for a good spot to drop anchor and go ashore for a picnic, try tiny Battle Island, on which boaters are welcome to land and even camp. Closer to Castine, there’s also Lower Negro Island, on which kayakers and other boaters are welcome to beach their craft and spend the night. Then there’s one of Castine’s best-kept secrets—Holbrook Island. Occupying most of the southwest shoreline of Smith Cove, just across the river from Castine’s waterfront, Holbrook is a 1,230-acre wildlife sanctuary of unspoiled Maine wilderness. Complete with a reversing falls, beaver ponds, challenging hiking trails and excellent animal and bird watching, Holbrook is actually located in the neighboring town of Brooksville. It’s a state park that was envisioned by local resident Anita Harris, who began acquiring land on Cape Rosier in the 1960s. In 1971 she gave it to the state “to preserve for the future a piece of the unspoiled Maine that I used to know.” Her only stipulation was that the state refrain from installing modern park facilities.

Boaters can land at the narrow sand/gravel bar that connects the park to a private property that occupies the peninsula sticking out of the northern shore of Cape Rosier. Just south of the gravel bar is the park’s headquarters, where you can pick up hiking maps. Notable sights include Goose Falls, where the tide roars in and out of a narrow passage, and Backwood Mountain (280 feet), which culminates in an impressive view of Cape Rosier, Castine and upper Penobscot Bay.

GETTING THERE

Charts: NOAA 13302, 13309

Castine Chart

Castine and the Bagaduce River are approximately 85 nautical miles northeast of Portland, Maine, and roughly 28 nautical miles south of Bangor, Maine, on the eastern shore of Penobscot Bay. From the south and west head for lighted buoy RW “PA” (44º01.14’ N, 69º00.30’ W) located above the Two Bush Channel approach into West Penobscot Bay. Proceed north to buoy R “12” and then on to buoy C “3” in East Penobscot Bay. It’s roughly 12.7 nautical miles from C “3” to Castine Harbor’s entrance at bell buoy RW “CH” (44º22.50’ N, 68º49.05’ W).

From points east, round the southern tip of Isle au Haut into Isle au Haut Bay. Proceed north into East Penobscot Bay and on to the harbor’s entrance. The Bagaduce River is roughly 10 nautical miles long. Stay within the river’s marked channel and pay close attention to their charts. Caution is needed when navigating areas above the Narrows, located roughly 5 nautical miles from the river’s entrance. Unmarked rocks and shoals severely constrict this part of the river. Also be aware of the number of ledges and islands—most of which are marked by buoys—on the river. The mean tidal range at Castine is 10 feet, and strong currents are evident at the river’s entrance.

Dockage, Moorings & Service:

  • Castine Town Dock (207-326-4502; VHF 16): Visiting boaters can tie up at the town dock floats for 30 minutes from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., space permitting. If space is available, overnight dockage can be arranged after 3:00 p.m. Overnight stays on 1 of the 2 moorings reserved for visiting schooners must be approved by the harbormaster. There is usually room along the floats for dinghy tie-up.
  • Eaton’s Boatyard (207-326-8579; VHF 9): Offers extensive marine services, including electricity and the area’s only gas and diesel fuel dock. Also offers ice, haulout, storage, and cooked and live lobsters delivered to your boat. Eaton’s has plenty transient moorings, as well as lots of space for visitors along its 280-foot dock. Some of the moorings are located on the opposite side of the harbor (8-10 minute dinghy ride). Does not offer launch service.
  • Dennett’s Wharf (207-326-9045; VHF 9): Has a 120-foot dock for transients, including electricity and showers, but is primarily a restaurant.
  • Castine Yacht Club (207-326-9231; VHF 9): Has a limited number of moorings available.

Anchorages:

  • Smith Cove is a peaceful and popular anchorage with depths ranging from 17 to 58 feet. Smaller vessels can find plenty of anchoring spots inside the wide bays of the Bagaduce River, where the current is less severe. Dinghy tie-up is available along the town floats.

Harbormaster:

Launch Ramps:

  • Castine Town Dock (207-326-4502): Good ramp with limited parking.
  • Farther upriver in Penobscot, the South Penobscot boat ramp is a town-maintained cement ramp that launches into Northern Bay.

Getting Around:

Boat & Kayak Rentals:

Provisions:

  • Bayview Market & Takeout (207-326-4882): Located on the Bagaduce River in Penobscot.
  • Castine Variety (207-326-8625): Located at the corner of Water and Main Streets, Castine Variety is an old-time store complete with soda fountain, newspapers and tasty lobster rolls.
  • T & C Grocery (207-326-4818): Stocks all the necessities, plus beer and wine—and an attached restaurant.
  • Four Flags (207-326-8526): A ships’ store on Water Street.
  • Compass Rose Bookstore & Café (207-326-9366): Carries a wide selection of books and CDs, and serves fine coffees and teas.

Where to Eat:

  • Dennett’s Wharf (207-326-9045): With its good selection of microbrews and dockside delivery of menu items, it’s hard to go wrong with Dennett’s. The restaurant sports traditional American lunch and dinner fare, including chicken, steaks, seafood and sandwiches.
  • Full Belli Deli (207) 276-4299): Located near the town dock. Serves sandwiches, pizza, baked goods and more.
  • Castine Inn (207-326-4365): Located on Main Street, the Castine Inn offers upscale multicourse meals.
  • Pentagoet Inn (207-326-8616): Features an array of New England specialties.
  • MarKel’s Bakehouse (207-326-9510): Offers fresh-bread sandwiches, soups and scones.
  • Bagaduce Lunch (207-326-4197): Popular dock n’ dine spot on the Bagaduce River (southeast corner of Herrick Bay). Boaters can tie up to the dock at and enjoy fried clams, lobster rolls and Gifford’s famous ice cream.

Where to Stay:

Things to Do & See:

Click here for Fishing Information

  • Maine Maritime Academy (207-326-4311): Tours of the training ship “State of Maine” can be had at no charge (if the ship is in port). The 500-foot training ship is home to approximately 200 midshipmen, one of whom will probably be your tour guide. Tour days and times vary, so call ahead.
  • Fort George and Fort Madison: If history is your passion, Castine’s got  you covered. The town’s existence dates back as far as the early 1600s. Fort George on Battle Avenue and Fort Madison on Perkins Street were built in response to Anglo-American disagreements during the Revolution and the War of 1812, and both are open to the public.
  • Wilson Museum (207-326-9247): Offers interesting views of 17th- and 18th-century life. Admission is free.
  • Castine Kayak Adventures (207-866-3506): Runs sea-kayak tours in Penobscot Bay and rents kayaks and kayak equipment.
  • Castine Golf Club (207-326-8844): Located off Battle Avenue, the venerable club is a 9-hole public course founded in 1897.
  • Holbrook Island Sanctuary (207-326-4012): Located just south of Castine, Holbrook Island offers prime hiking and wildlife viewing. On nearby Cape Rosier you can hike to the top of Backwood Mountain.
  • Witherle Memorial Library (207-326-4375): Located on School Street in Castine.
  • Castine Historical Society (207-326-4118): Located in the historic Abbott School building on Court Street.

General Information

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HawthorneHotel.com

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welcome hotel guests

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978-825-4311
HawthorneHotel.com

Salem’s famed author,
welcome hotel guests

Nathaniel’s In The Hawthorne Hotel

18 Washington Square W, Salem, MA
978-825-4311
HawthorneHotel.com

Salem’s famed author,
welcome hotel guests

Nathaniel’s In The Hawthorne Hotel

18 Washington Square W, Salem, MA
978-825-4311
HawthorneHotel.com

Salem’s famed author,
welcome hotel guests

Nathaniel’s In The Hawthorne Hotel

18 Washington Square W, Salem, MA
978-825-4311
HawthorneHotel.com

Salem’s famed author,
welcome hotel guests