{"id":42610,"date":"2024-06-18T19:07:59","date_gmt":"2024-06-18T19:07:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bwsailing.com\/cc\/?p=42610"},"modified":"2024-06-19T18:41:43","modified_gmt":"2024-06-19T18:41:43","slug":"is-camden-maine-the-best-maine-harbor-for-cruiser","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bwsailing.com\/cc\/2024\/06\/is-camden-maine-the-best-maine-harbor-for-cruiser\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Camden Maine the Best Maine Harbor for Cruiser?"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the summer sailing season is upon us, many cruisers in the Northeast will turn their bows toward the coast of Maine, which many veteran cruisers consider one of the world\u2019s best cruising grounds, even with all those lobster pots. Cruisers Tom and Jane Babbiit have lived in Camden, Maine, on the shores of Penobscot Bay, for a long time and as members of the Cruising Club of America have contributed enormously to the club\u2019s online Maine Cruising Guide. Here Tom offers his thoughts on why Camden may be the best harbor in Maine for cruisers. G.D. (Photo credits: Habnor aerial by Doug Bruce, Harbor view by Tom Babbitt and Schooners by Jane Babbitt.)<\/em><\/p>\n

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Let\u2019s start with full disclosure.\u00a0Camden<\/a>\u00a0has been our home and home port for over 30 years, during which time we\u2019ve also cruised the entire east coast of the US as well as most of the Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean multiple times. We\u2019ve got some basis for comparison.<\/p>\n

Surrounded by the majestic Camden Hills to the west and the incomparable Penobscot Bay to the east, the stunning natural beauty of the place is unmatched. The downtown area hugs the busy inner harbor while affording views of the large and semi-protected outer harbor including picturesque Curtis Island, which is open to the public and well worth a visit.<\/p>\n

Camden is a pleasant place where locals will make eye contact with you and oncoming traffic will likely stop to allow you to make a left turn or let you into line when traffic backs up, and pedestrians are waved across at the crosswalks.<\/p>\n

Amenities abound with an award-winning library on the harbor as well as an amphitheater and waterfront park. A modern and active YMCA as well as excellent\u00a0walking and hiking trails<\/a>\u2014with some trail heads easily accessible from the harbor\u2014give every opportunity to stay fit and healthy. Excellent schools, an opera house, and an engaged and energetic population make for a stimulating environment year-round.<\/p>\n

And, of course, while maritime activities dominate in the warmer months, the fall colors and festivals ease the transition to winter when the town-owned ski resort is a big draw.<\/p>\n

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For the cruiser who may only spend a few days in Camden, there is a plethora of resources all\u00a0within 500\u00a0feet<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0of the town landing. Consider the following offerings:<\/p>\n