Maine Bike + Adventure Tour

Camden and Penobscot Bay: Summer on New England’s Islands

6 days / 5 nights Level: 2Price From: $4,795Collection: +Adventure

Tour Highlights

  • Bike three of Maine’s coastal islands, offering quiet roads and a relaxed lifestyle away from the mainland
  • Kayak the pristine waters of a tidal bay on the island of Vinalhaven
  • Experience the simple thrills of a New England summer, swimming in lakes, ponds, quarries, and even the Atlantic Ocean
  • Watch the sun set over a picturesque harbor as we savor a private dinner with a local chef

Eat

Wild blueberries, vegetables and cheese from local organic farms, Maine seafood including lobster and oysters

Drink

Craft micro-brews, ciders, and local wines

As featured in:
Print Itinerary
  • Day 1

    Camden and Rockport

    Meet your guides in Portland and transfer up the coast to the idyllic harbor of Camden. Enjoy a fresh lunch and get fitted on the bikes for our first ride. Pedal out of town along the coast on quiet country lanes. Our destination is Rockport, one of the “prettiest small towns in America” and home of Andre the seal. Visit the picturesque harbor before continuing our ride through the fields and forests of the New England countryside. Get settled at our postcard-perfect hotel, followed by our first dinner together at our favorite local restaurant.

    Meals: Lunch / Dinner
    Destinations: Camden, Rockport
    Accomplished: 16 miles / 25 km, elevation gain: 1,118 feet / 341 meters
    Longer Option: 23 miles / 37 km, elevation gain: 1,870 feet / 570 meters
    Accommodations: Whitehall

  • Day 2

    Island Life in Islesboro

    Catch a boat this morning out to the island of Islesboro. With just 560 permanent residents, Islesboro has long been a summer retreat for artists, actors, and writers. We’ll get to know the island by bike, pedaling past rocky coves and secluded beaches to its northernmost point. Stop into the classic general store for a pick-me up and admire the architecture of the stately mansions. No visit to the islands is complete without a fresh lobster roll, as local as it gets. Tonight meet our friend Sara, a local chef, for a private dinner overlooking the Penobscot Bay.

    Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
    Destinations: Islesboro
    Accomplished: 24 miles / 38 km, elevation gain: 1,148 feet / 350 meters
    Accommodations: Whitehall

  • Day 3

    Lavender and Blueberries

    Today we get back on our bikes and pedal out of Camden into the scenic St. George River Valley. Our farm country route is lined with lakes, forests, and spacious meadows, and we’ll stop at a lavender farm where this fragrant herb flowers throughout the summer. Continue riding to a blueberry grower and enjoy lunch featuring hand-picked ingredients from the farm. After, choose to ride back to Camden or opt for a lift in the van. Tonight, we invite you to explore the local restaurant scene for dinner on your own; your guides are happy to make recommendations and reservations.

    Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
    Destinations: Hope, Appleton, Union
    Accomplished: 27 miles / 43 km, elevation gain: 2,139 feet / 652 meters
    Shorter Option: 18 miles / 29 km, elevation gain: 1,210 feet / 369 meters
    Accommodations: Whitehall

  • Day 4

    North Haven

    Depart mainland Maine on a boat out of Rockland. Our destination is North Haven, a New England island unlike anywhere else: formerly dedicated to farming and fishing, it’s one of Maine’s best-kept secrets where families return to their vacation homes for generations. From the town pier, we’ll bike the entire length of the island with coastal views that stretch across the Penobscot Bay. A visit with a local oysterman piques our appetite for lunch at a picturesque organic farm. After lunch, pedal to our cozy hotel back in town to relax and explore before dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
    Destinations: Vinalhaven, North Haven
    Accomplished: 23 miles / 37 km, elevation gain: 1,246 feet / 380 meters
    Shorter Option: 13 miles / 21 km, elevation gain: 702 feet / 214 meters
    Accommodations:  Nebo Lodge

  • Day 5

    Vinalhaven

    Today we’ll cross the thoroughfare to North Haven’s sister island: Vinalhaven. The former hotbed of a quarrying industry, we have Vinalhaven to thank for the paving stones that now line the streets in Boston and Philadelphia. Over time, the quarries have filled with water and become a refreshing place to stop for a mid-ride swim. Though Vinalhaven only measures nine miles across, it boasts nearly 270 miles of coastline—which makes kayaking an ideal way to explore. We’ll paddle through a tidal basin on the lookout for harbor seals, cormorants, and sea ducks. We’ll return to North Haven for a festive final dinner on the islands.

    Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
    Destinations: Vinalhaven, The Basin, Booth Quarry
    Accomplished: 15 miles / 26 km, elevation gain: 958 feet / 292 meters; 2 hours kayaking
    Accommodations:  Nebo Lodge

  • Day 6

    Return to Portland

    Catch a boat back to the mainland as we say goodbye to North Haven. Your guides will see you off for the drive home or transfer you down the coast to Portland before you head to your next destination.

    Meals: Breakfast
    Destinations: Rockland, Portland

DuVine itineraries may be subject to slight route changes, hotel substitutions, and other modifications.



Arrival Details

Airport City: Portland, Maine Pick-Up Location: The Press Hotel, Portland, or first hotel of tour Pick-Up Time: 10:00 am at the Press Hotel or 11:30 am at first hotel of tour
Departure Details

Airport City: Portland, Maine Drop-Off Location: The Press Hotel or Portland Airport Drop-Off Time: 11:30 am
Travelers Take Note

Ferry and boat rides rely on daily sailing conditions, so weather may dictate itinerary changes or activity cancellations.

The variety of accommodations on Maine’s islands is limited. Some hotels on this tour are therefore simpler than typical DuVine accommodations, but were chosen for their unique location and island proximity. There are a limited number of rooms available with two beds.

Any scheduled tour can be made private. Your group, your dates. Go Private

2024Single Supplement From: $900

See our cancellation policy

Weather by Month
Average Temperature + Precipitation

Average Temperature + Precipitation

Month
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
High (°F)
31°
36°
45°
55°
64°
72°
75°
71°
62°
52°
42°
33°
Low (°F)
14°
21°
30°
39°
48°
55°
59°
55°
46°
37°
28°
18°
Rain (in)
251
251
376
376
376
376
376
376
4102
4102
4102
376

Accommodations

  • Thoughtfully selected accommodations that reveal the true character of the region
  • Luggage transfers

Meals

  • Daily breakfasts, all lunches, nutritious snacks, and après velo cocktails
  • 4 gourmet dinners at our favorite local restaurants and renowned culinary establishments
  • Carefully selected local wine, beer, or spirits with every meal

Activities

  • Wine tastings and activities as outlined in the tour itinerary
  • Entrance fees to historic sites, museums, parks, and all other exclusive events
  • Gratuities for baggage, porters, and hotel service

Gear

  • Top-of-the-line bicycle selection
  • Bike helmet
  • Complimentary DuVine gear including a custom cycling jersey, DuVine t-shirt, water bottle, and drawstring bag
  • GPS in most destinations

Support

  • Expert bilingual guides with extensive local knowledge
  • Support vehicle that follows the day’s route, distributes refreshments, and offers lifts
  • Pick-up and drop-off before and after your tour from predetermined meeting points
  • Daily bike maintenance to ensure optimal performance
NOT INCLUDED:
HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?

See our FAQs page for answers to common questions.

See FAQs

Custom DuVine Road Bike

Manufacturer: Ventum

Type: Road

Included in trip price

Quick 1 Disc

Manufacturer: Cannondale

Type: Hybrid

Included in trip price

Turbo Vado SL 4.0

Manufacturer: Specialized

Type: Hybrid E-Bike

Included in trip price