Mt. Battie Cape Porpoise

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Welcome to Mt. Battie Cape Porpoise

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

Goat Island Light has guided mariners into Cape Porpoise Harbor since 1833. Missing in this photo is the covered walkway between the house and the light tower that was reconstructed in 2011. Wikimedia Commons

BY WATER OR BY LAND, CAPE PORPOISE IS ONLY ABOUT 2 MILES FROM DOWNTOWN KENNEBUNKPORT (THE MORE POPULAR AND BUSIER OF THE 2 HARBORS). ON OFFICIAL MAPS, “THE CAPE” IS PART OF KENNEBUNKPORT, BUT IN PERSONALITY AND APPEARANCE IT MIGHT AS WELL BE IN EASTPORT.

Cape Porpoise Chart

By far the easiest and most convenient Kennebunkport-area harbor to enter during ordinary summer weather, Cape Porpoise is best known as a fishing port. The harbor is formed by a series of small, rocky islands arrayed to define what seems to be an unaccountable millpond in the middle of the North Atlantic.

SAT Map

Other than the 4:00 a.m. rush of lobstermen headed for their boats and gear, there are few crowds on the Cape Porpoise waterfront, no marinas, only a handful of pleasure boats and very little room for anchoring. Yet it’s the security and ease of entry that make this quiet spot a favorite stopover for transient pleasure boats drawing up to 8 feet, and it’s usually possible to arrange for the use of a vacant mooring by contacting the harbormaster.

Read the story #https://newenglandboating.com/?p=11395# Cape Porpoise Fishing Information#

Cape Porpoise Harbor is a decidedly fishy place with a 4 a.m. lobsterboat rush. Photo by Joe Devenney

Nightlife? Forget it. About the most exciting place in Cape Porpoise is the local grocery store, or possibly the post office. Those 2 businesses, plus the Wayfarer Restaurant of local BYOB fame, make up the heart of the village. And yes, there’s an art gallery here and gas pumps there, but the rest of the village is rural and quiet, mostly single-family, white clapboard homes and small yards.

Still, if you’re the type of boater who seeks peace and quite in a beautiful Maine port, The Cape will more than suffice.

GETTING THERE
Chart: NOAA 13286

Cape Porpoise Chart

The Kennebunkport area is located on the southwestern Maine coast, midway between Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and Portland, Maine. The region is bounded by the Mousam River in the southwest and Goosefare Bay to the northeast, with the principal tidal estuary of the Kennebunk River in the middle, just west of Cape Arundel.

Cape Porpoise Harbor is about 15 miles southwest of Cape Elizabeth. The harbor is safe and protected—a good refuge for boaters caught in a blow. Approaching from the southwest, Goat Island Light (43º 21.5´ N, 70º 25.5´ W) is a 38-foot, white, cylindrical tower with a foghorn, and is the best primary mark. The light is on the south end of Goat Island and the east side of the harbor entrance. A lighted whistle buoy, about 1.85 miles southeast of the light, marks the approach, and red bell “2” is less than a 1/2 mile out. The channel to Cape Porpoise Harbor is clear and simple to navigate.

Dockage, Moorings & Service:

There are no marinas in Cape Porpoise. All moorings are privately owned and are only available if a fisherman happens to be out overnight. Inquire with the harbormaster at the main wharf (207-967-5040; VHF 16; Cape Porpoise Harbor), which sells fuel. There is no overnight dockside tie-up, although the harbormaster may be able to arrange something. Nearest marinas are on the Kennebunkport River (see “Focus on Kennebunkport” on this site). Note: the town is currently considering the installation of a few guest moorings in the harbor, which should be available for the 2011 season.

Anchorages:

Anchoring at Cape Porpoise is allowed, but is a tricky proposition, as you’ll have to use 2 anchors to prevent your boat from swinging through the fleet. It is recommended that you anchor as far south as possible in the harbor, where there is more room and greater depth, and that you contact the harbormaster first. There’s more room in Stage Island Harbor, adjacent to Cape Porpoise Harbor. However, there is a noticeable roll at high tide and plenty of trap buoys to maneuver around. A public landing with temporary tie-up can be found just north of the Town Pier. If you want to tie up for more than 2 hours, check with the harbormaster to see if a longer stay can be arranged.

Launch Ramps:

There is no public launch ramp at Cape Porpoise or the lower Kennebunk River. Both Chicks and the Kennebunkport Marina in Kennebunkport have ramps, but charge a fee for use. Kayakers and other paddle-craft users are no longer allowed to use the ramp next to the Cape Porpoise state pier for launching. Best spot for small-boat launching is the causeway on Pier Street, although this is only viable on the upper stages of the tide.

Cape Porpoise Harbormaster:

(207-967-5040)
Cape Porpoise Harbormaster

Boat & Kayak Rental:

Kayak Excursions (888-925-7496): Offers guided tours and rentals in the Kennebunkport area. Website offers Google map showing good put-in spots along the coast.
Nonantum Resort (800-552-5651)
Coastal Maine Kayak (207-967-6065)

Getting Around:

Bicycles can be rented at Kennebunkport Bicycle (207-967-8713)

Taxi

Coastal Cab Company (207-229-0783)

Provisions:

Groceries can be found at Bradbury Brothers Market (207-967-3939), a short walk from the harbor.

Things to See & Do:

In Cape Porpoise, attractions and diversions are limited to a walk around the quiet Maine fishing village, with perhaps a stop for great clam chowder at the Wayfarer Restaurant (207-967-8961) or fried clams at the Lobster Pot (207-967-4607). You can also view art at the Wright Gallery (207-967-5053).

Where to Eat:

Wayfarer Restaurant (207-967-8961)
Lobster Pot (207-967-4607): Fried clams, fish and lobster.
Pier 77 (207-967-8500): Seafood and more near the town pier at the mouth of the harbor.
Cape Porpoise Lobster Company (800-967-4268): Dock-and-dine option on the harbor.
The Captains Restaurant (207-967-2341)
Nunan’s Lobster Hut (207-967-4362): Venerable, rustic restaurant a short walk from the harbor.

Where to Stay:

Cape Porpoise Motel (207-967-3370)
Captain Jeffords Inn (800-839-6844)

Fishing Information:

Click here for more Fishing Information!

General Information:

For more information, contact the Kennebunk/Kennebunkport Chamber of Commerce at (207-967-0857) or by e-mail at kkcc@maine.org.

Photo Gallery

Nunan’s Lobster Hut is a Cape Porpoise institution. Photo by Joe Devenney

The brightly painted Cape Porpoise Lobster Company sign welcomes visitors. Photo by Joe Devenney

Cape Porpoise offers excellent protection from ocean swells, but no transient moorings (yet) and not a lot of anchoring room. Photo by Joe Devenney

An aluminum skiff lies anchored along a scenic marsh bank. Photo by Joe Devenney

Cape Porpoise is primarily a working harbor. Photo by Joe Devenney

A skiff rests in front of the Cape Porpoise Lobster Company, which offers seafood in the rough. Photo by Joe Devenney

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BEWITCHED BY MT. BATTOE CAPE PORPOISE

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At a Glance

Launch Ramps
Where to Stay
Rentals
Harbor Master and Harbor Info
Getting There
Things to Do

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