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Maine

Explore the Coast of Maine Under Sail: Maritime and Natural History

Program No. 8681RJ
Get to know Maine’s rugged coast and idyllic islands as you sail a classic windjammer to historic villages, pristine harbors and an uninhabited island, and see an iconic lighthouse.
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Start
Water SportsOutdoor AdventuresRegional Studies
Length
7 days
Rating (5)
Activity Level
Starts at
1,649
Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
7 days
6 nights
What's Included
17 meals ( 6B, 5L, 6D )
10 expert-led lectures
6 expert-led field trips
12 hands-on experiences
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
6 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Board Ketch Angelique between 3:00-5:00 p.m. Do not try to board before 3:00 p.m. or bring luggage to the boat early. Crew members will give a time when we will park all cars in our free parking area together. It's a 5-10 minute walk back.
Afternoon:
Program Registration. Once you check in with program staff, you will be shown to your cabin and given time to settle in. Fresh linens will be provided to make your bed. Program staff and a white board on deck will inform you of the time of the Orientation session. If you arrive late and miss the Orientation session, one of the program staff will provide the information you need to know. Orientation: 5:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. As we go, Road Scholars will have opportunities to take part in team efforts of raising and lowering sails, rowing ashore, walking when ashore, and possibly taking a turn at the helm, if conditions allow. Please note: The island exploration and lobster bake will take place when the captain determines conditions are best and may be on a different day than shown in the schedule. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
We will have a presentation on windjamming and our cruising grounds. The remainder of the evening will be free. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Team effort of raising and lowering sails, rowing ashore, walking when ashore, and possibly taking a turn at the helm, if conditions allow.
Breakfast:
Aboard the Angelique.
Morning:
We will prepare to get underway, drop mooring lines, get underway to the outer harbor, sail setting orientation, raise and trim sails. The crew will prepare to get underway and maneuver the boat out of the harbor. They will also explain boat terminology and how to haul on lines. Road Scholars can help haul the small boats in preparation for field trips and will help haul the lines to raise the sails for sailing.
Lunch:
Aboard the Angelique.
Afternoon:
We will have a session on the Ketch Angelique, vessel orientation, history, rigging, wildlife identification, and binocular tips. We’ll also learn about the lifestyle, industry, and history of modern island living. The crew will instruct on how we lower and stow the sails when anchored for the night with the participation of Road Scholars. We’ll then hop into a rowboat and row ashore for a self-directed field trip through a village or on walking trails in a park. We’ll row back to the Angelique for dinner.
Dinner:
Aboard the Angelique.
Evening:
We’ll gather for a review of the day’s sail, chart discussion, and answer questions with the captain and crew. We’ll also have a talk on a topic relating to the coast of Maine. Enjoy time with fellow Road Scholars, play board games in the messroom, read, or just relax.
Activity Note
Team effort of raising and lowering sails, rowing ashore, walking when ashore, and possibly taking a turn at the helm, if conditions allow.
Breakfast:
Aboard the Angelique.
Morning:
We will set sail and head down east to Mount Desert Island, home of Acadia National Park. While underway, our instructors will point out wildlife and other notable sights.
Lunch:
Aboard the Angelique.
Afternoon:
We will view and learn about seals and seabirds while sailing. We’ll also have views of Cadillac Mountain and the various peaks of Acadia National Park from the water. Then, rowing ashore, we’ll go on a self-directed field trip through a village or on walking trails in a park. We’ll row back to the Angelique for dinner.
Dinner:
Aboard the Angelique.
Evening:
Overview of the days sail and vessel with captain and crew, questions, chart discussion. Naturalist or historian talk on a variety of topics relating to the coast of Maine. Free time to read, relax, enjoy shipmates, and play board games in the messroom.
Activity Note
Rowing ashore, getting on/off a bus, walking during field trip, rowing back to boat, raising and lowering sails.
Breakfast:
Aboard the Angelique.
Morning:
We will row ashore and board a bus for an expert-led exploration of Acadia National Park with commentary as we ride. We will stop at three of the park’s most popular sites, then return as we came.
Lunch:
Aboard the Angelique.
Afternoon:
Getting underway again, we’ll focus on bird and seal watching. We’ll also anchor in a new harbor and row ashore for another self-directed field trip through a village or on walking trails in a park.
Dinner:
Aboard the Angelique.
Evening:
We’ll gather for a review of the day’s sail, chart discussion, and answer questions with the captain and crew. We’ll also have a talk on a topic relating to the coast of Maine. Enjoy time with fellow Road Scholars, play board games in the messroom, read, or just relax.
Activity Note
Team effort of raising and lowering sails, rowing ashore, walking when ashore, and possibly taking a turn at the helm, if conditions allow. Please note: The island exploration and lobster bake will take place when the captain determines conditions are best and may be on a different day.
Breakfast:
Aboard the Angelique.
Morning:
Getting underway, we’ll set sail for an island exploration.
Lunch:
Aboard the Angelique.
Afternoon:
We’ll drop anchor and row ashore to explore an island. Overview of the days sail and vessel with captain and crew, questions, chart discussion. Discussion of lobsters, intertidal zone, and island ecology.
Dinner:
On the deserted island, the crew will cook up a traditional lobster bake with all the sides and fixings, and — for novices — give instructions on how to effectively crack open a lobster. We will also have an opportunity to hike/beachcomb independently.
Evening:
We’ll gather for a talk about topics related to the program such as birds, island ecology, weather, geology, etc. Enjoy time with fellow Road Scholars, play board games in the messroom, read, or just relax.
Activity Note
Team effort of raising and lowering sails, rowing ashore, walking when ashore, and possibly taking a turn at the helm, if conditions allow.
Breakfast:
Aboard the Angelique.
Morning:
We’ll have a leisurely morning with coffee and pastries on deck, then get underway and head towards Penobscot Bay.
Lunch:
Aboard the Angelique.
Afternoon:
We will sail into our final anchorage of the cruise.
Dinner:
Aboard the Angelique. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
Movie night! It will be a documentary about sailing ships and the sea, of course, with commentary before and after. Then enjoy time with fellow Road Scholars, play board games in the messroom, read, or just relax. Prepare for disembarkation and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Team effort of raising and lowering sails. Disembarkation approximately 11:00-11:30 a.m.
Breakfast:
Aboard the Angelique.
Morning:
Sailing into Camden, we will dock and disembark the Angelique once she is dockside. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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Please Note: This program has itinerary variations on certain dates.
May 31, 2026 - Jun 06, 2026
Jun 07, 2026 - Jun 13, 2026
Aug 30, 2026 - Sep 05, 2026
Sep 20, 2026 - Sep 26, 2026
Sep 27, 2026 - Oct 03, 2026
May 31 - Jun 6, 2026 Itinerary Differences: This program week will include a guided visit to Acadia National Park, the jewel of the Maine coast and one of our nation’s most beautiful parks. Sail to Mount Dessert and board a bus to explore the park, stopping at the most popular attractions including the breathtaking views from the summit and Thunder Hole.