List of bays of Maine facts for kids

Maine is a state in the northeastern United States, famous for its beautiful coastline. This coast is filled with many inlets of the sea called bays. A bay is a body of water partly enclosed by land, usually smaller than a gulf. Maine's bays are important for many reasons, like fishing, boating, and providing homes for different kinds of wildlife.

This article lists some of the main bays found along Maine's Atlantic coast. They are organized by county, starting from the northeast and moving towards the southwest.

Exploring Washington County's Bays

Washington County is in the easternmost part of Maine. It has a rugged coastline with many deep bays and inlets. These bays are known for their strong tides and beautiful, wild scenery.

Major Bays in Washington County

• Passamaquoddy Bay: This large bay is shared with Canada. It is known for its very high tides.
• Cobscook Bay: Located near Passamaquoddy Bay, Cobscook Bay also experiences extreme tides. It is a great place for seeing marine life.
  • Dennys Bay
  • East Bay
  • Sipp Bay
  • South Bay
  • Straight Bay
  • Whiting Bay
• Johnson Bay
• Little Machias Bay
• Machias Bay: This bay is named after the town of Machias. It is a historic area.
  • Holmes Bay
  • Little Bay
• Little Kennebec Bay
• Englishman Bay: This bay offers calm waters and scenic views.
  • Mason Bay
• Chandler Bay
• Eastern Bay
  • Alley Bay
• Western Bay
  • Wohoa Bay
• Pleasant Bay
• Narraguagus Bay: This bay is a popular spot for fishing and boating.
  • Back Bay
  • Flat Bay
  • Harrington Bay
• Pigeon Hill Bay
• Dyer Bay
  • Pinkham Bay
• Gouldsboro Bay: This bay is part of a beautiful coastal area.
  • Joy Bay
  • West Bay

Discovering Hancock County's Bays

Hancock County is home to Acadia National Park, one of Maine's most famous natural areas. Its bays are often deep and surrounded by mountains and islands.

Key Bays in Hancock County

• Winter Harbor: A picturesque harbor town is located here.
• Frenchman Bay: This large and scenic bay is next to Acadia National Park. It is a popular place for boat tours.
  • Eastern Bay
  • Flanders Bay
  • Taunton Bay
    • Egypt Bay
    • Hog Bay
  • Thomas Bay
  • Youngs Bay
• Eastern Way
• Somes Sound: This is a unique natural fjord, which is a long, narrow, deep inlet of the sea between high cliffs. It is the only one on the East Coast of the United States.
• Western Way
• Western Bay
• Union River Bay
• Blue Hill Bay: This bay is known for its calm waters and the charming town of Blue Hill.

Exploring Waldo County's Bays

Waldo County is located in the central part of Maine's coast. Its bays are often wide and lead to charming coastal towns.

Important Bays in Waldo County

• Penobscot Bay: This is one of Maine's largest and most famous bays. It is a popular area for sailing and exploring islands.
• Belfast Bay: This bay is home to the city of Belfast, a vibrant coastal community.
• Gilkey Harbor
• Seal Bay

Knox County's Coastal Waters

Knox County is known for its rocky shores and historic lighthouses. Its bays are often busy with fishing boats and pleasure craft.

Bays to See in Knox County

• Rockport Harbor: A beautiful harbor known for its artistic community.
• Clam Cove
• Rockland Harbor: This harbor is a major fishing port and home to the Maine Lobster Festival.
• Muscongus Bay: A large bay with many islands, popular for kayaking and exploring.

Lincoln County's Scenic Bays

Lincoln County features a mix of rocky and sandy shores. Its bays are often deep and provide excellent opportunities for boating.

Bays in Lincoln County

• Johns Bay
• Linekin Bay
• Boothbay Harbor: A very popular tourist destination with a busy harbor.
• Booth Bay
• Sheepscot Bay: This bay is fed by the Sheepscot River.
• Montsweag Bay
• Hockomock Bay

Sagadahoc County's Unique Bays

Sagadahoc County is where the Kennebec River meets the ocean. Its bays are influenced by this large river.

Notable Bays in Sagadahoc County

• Merrymeeting Bay: This is a unique freshwater tidal estuary, where six rivers meet before flowing into the Kennebec River. It is a vital habitat for birds.
• Sagadahoc Bay

Cumberland County's Busy Bays

Cumberland County includes Maine's largest city, Portland. Its bays are often active with commercial shipping, ferries, and recreational boats.

Bays in Cumberland County

• Quahog Bay
• Harpswell Sound
• Middle Bay
• Maquoit Bay
• Casco Bay: This large bay is home to many islands and is a hub for boating and fishing.

York County's Southern Bays

York County is in southern Maine, closer to New Hampshire. Its coastline includes sandy beaches and some important bays.

A Bay in York County

• Saco Bay: This bay is known for its long sandy beaches, popular for swimming and sunbathing.

Larger Water Bodies Connected to Maine

Beyond the individual bays, Maine's coast is part of two much larger water bodies.

• Bay of Fundy: This huge bay is located between Maine and the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. It is famous for having the highest tides in the world.
• Gulf of Maine: This is a large gulf of the Atlantic Ocean. It stretches from Cape Cod in Massachusetts to Nova Scotia in Canada. All of Maine's bays are part of the Gulf of Maine.