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

Approach to Inner Portland Harbor: View route on Navionics here

For the Vessel - Dockages & Moorings

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

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

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

• Hamilton Marine: 197 Presumpscot St, Portland, ME | (207) 774-1772

• Chase Leavitt & Co.: 84 Cove St, Portland, ME 04101 | (207) 772-6383

Grocery Stores

• 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

• Union Wharf Market: 1 Union Wharf, Portland ME

• Standard Baking Company: 75 Commercial St, Portland, ME

• 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

• Portland Museum of Art

• Children’s Museum of Maine

• Maine College of Art

Parks & Trails

• 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

• East End Beach (Portland)

• Willard Beach (South Portland) 

• Higgins Beach (Scarborough)

Entertainment & Events

• Thompson’s Point Summer Concert Series

• Shows at the State Theatre

• 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.

• 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

• Maine Yacht Center

• Spring Point Marina (AKA Port Harbor)

• 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

• @VisitPortland

• @PortlandOldPort

• @PortlandFoodMap

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