Old Saybrook, Connecticut, Cruising Guide Old Saybrook, located at the mouth of the Connecticut River, is a charming New England harbor...
Portland Maine Cruising Guide: Best Tips, Marinas, and Attractions for Boaters
Welcome to Portland! This vibrant harbor in southern Casco Bay is not only an active working waterfront and shipping port, but a cultural hotspot full of friendly boaters, wonderful marinas, services, and things to do. Whether you’re here for a quick stop or an extended stay, this guide will help you make the most of your time on and off the water.
Quick Facts
For the Vessel (Dockage/Mooring Options)
Provisioning
For the crew
Essential Services
Community Connections
Quick Facts
Portland Harbor Details
Coordinates
43º 39.23’ N, 070º 14.75’ W
Charts
13292, 13288 (Chart kit 59, 17)
Best time to visit
June through September
Mean tidal range
~9'
Gas and diesel fuel
Yes
Portland Waterfront Contacts
Harbormaster
Ch. 9, 16, (207) 774-8121
US Coast Guard Sector Northern New England
Ch. 16, (207) 767-0320
SeaTow
Ch. 9, 16, (207) 772-6724
Pumpout Boat - “Baykeeper ll”
Ch. 9, (207) 776-0136
Approach to Inner Portland Harbor: View route on Navionics here
For the Vessel - Dockages & Moorings
DiMillo's Marina
Location
Downtown Portland
Facilities
24/7 Gas, 24/7 Diesel, Pump-out, Dockage, Onsite Restaurant
Best protected from
SW, W
Electric Options
30 AMP, Dual 30 AMP, 50 AMP, Dual 50 AMP, 100 AMP (single phase), Duel 100 AMP (single phase)
Max LOA
300'
More info about facilities and additional amenities here
Fore Points Marina
Location
Downtown Portland
Facilities
Gas, Diesel, Pump-out, Dockage
Best protected from
SW, W
Electric Options
30 AMP, Dual 30 AMP, 50 AMP, Dual 50 AMP, 100 AMP (single phase), 2 (100) AMP (3-Phase)
Max LOA
400'
More info about facilities and additional amenities here
Maine Yacht Center
Location
Eastern Portland
Facilities
Gas, Diesel, Pump-out, Dockage, Moorings, Service & Maintenance
Best protected from
SW, W, NW, N
Electric Options
30 AMP, 50 AMP, 100 AMP (single phase)
Max LOA
180'
More info about facilities and additional amenities here
Provisioning
Marine Supplies
-
West Marine: 127 Marginal Way, Portland, ME | (207) 761-7600
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Hamilton Marine: 197 Presumpscot St, Portland, ME | (207) 774-1772
- Chase Leavitt & Co.: 84 Cove St, Portland, ME 04101 | (207) 772-6383
Grocery Stores
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Hannaford Supermarket: 295 Forest Ave, Portland, ME
-
Trader Joe's: 87 Marginal Way, Portland ME
-
Whole Foods Market: 2 Somerset St, Portland ME
All within ~1 mile of DiMillo’s and Fore Points
Local Markets
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Union Wharf Market: 1 Union Wharf, Portland ME
-
Standard Baking Company: 75 Commercial St, Portland, ME
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Portland Food Co-Op: 290 Congress St, Portland, ME
-
Micucci Grocery Store: 45 Indian St, Portland, ME
All walking distance from DiMillo’s and Fore Points
For The Crew
Historical Sites
-
Wadsworth Longfellow House: 489 Congress St, Portland, ME
-
Portland Head Light: Located 5 miles from the harbor, Portland Head Light was commissioned by George Washington in 1787.
Portland Headlight
Museums & Galleries
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Portland Museum of Art
-
Children’s Museum of Maine
-
Maine College of Art
Parks & Trails
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The East End walking and biking trail is a great place to stretch your legs. Plus, it’s only steps from your slip at Fore Points Marina.
-
Mackworth Island Loop is a great scenic walking path near Maine Yacht Center.
Beaches
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East End Beach (Portland)
-
Willard Beach (South Portland)
-
Higgins Beach (Scarborough)
Entertainment & Events
-
First Friday Art Walks - The first Friday of each month, local artists set up their booths on and around Congress Street to exhibit their projects.
-
Portland Paddle: Rent a SUP or Kayak to explore the area.
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The Lucky Catch: Join Captain Tommy for a Coast of Maine lobstering expedition! You can purchase tickets to go on FV The Lucky Catch right at Long Wharf, near DiMillo's Marina.
State Theater, Portland Paddle, and Thompson's Point
Dining & Nightlife
Waterfront Restaurants
-
Scales: High end, locally sourced seafood located on the waterfront
-
Flatbread Co: Locally sourced organic ingredients, wood fired pizza, and a casual atmosphere on the water
-
DiMillo’s: A staple restaurant for all Portland visitors with indoor and outdoor dining options (with a view of your boat!)
-
Luke’s Lobster: Watch the lobsterman unload right at the dock, and enjoy one of the best lobster rolls in the harbor
-
J’s Oysters: A Portland staple
- Becky's Diner: As the locals say, "Becky's Dinah, Nothing Finah!"
- The Portland Food Map, viewable here, has a detailed breakdown of ALL Portland's dining options!
Local Breweries & Wineries
-
Craft Cocktails: Check out Room for Improvement, Blyth and Burrows, or Luna Rooftop Bar
-
Casual Options: Mash Tun, Amigos, Thirsty Pig, $3 Dewey’s, Oxbow
Nightlife
-
Stroll down Wharf St. after dinner to find fun nightlife, a variety of unique eateries and bars, live music, and great Portland energy.
Essential Services
Medical Facilities
-
Maine Medical Center- 22 Bramhall St, Portland, ME
-
Northern Light Mercy Hospital- 175 Fore River Pkwy, Portland, ME
Boat Repair & Maintenance
- Portland Yacht Services
Travel Options
-
Portland International Jetport - roughly 15 minutes from Portland Harbor
-
Ubers/ Lyfts - typically available
-
Enterprise Rent-A-Car - (207) 772-0030
Insider's Tips
Hidden Gems
-
Fort Gorges: Explore the historic remains of this WWII fort via dinghy or kayack. Land on the SW sandbar, exposed at low tide.
-
Peaks Island: Take the Ferry (Casco Bay Ferry Lines) to Peaks Island for a meal at Island Lobster Company, or explore the island by foot, bike, or golf cart!
Fort Gorges
Local Knowledge
-
Working Waterfront: Respect commercial vessels and watch out for lobster pots (the further Downeast in Maine you go, the thicker they’ll get!)
-
Weather Patterns: Prevailing summer winds SSE. Prepare for notorious thick fog at tail ends of season.
Community Connections
Local Boating Clubs
-
SailMaine: Rent a J22 sailboat at SailMaine Community Sailing Center (right next-door to Fore Points Marina) and support their awesome mission to make sailing more accessible.
J22 Sailing at SailMaine
Local Social Media Accounts
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