Maine Island Lighthouse Birding Trip

Activity Description

Throughout your trip, there will be opportunities to participate in guided hikes around the island’s trails with an L.L.Bean birding expert. These hikes are on mostly flat terrain, though there are a few sections that require traversing uneven terrain with potentially loose footing. The pace of these hike will be relaxed, with many stops to view what birds are nearby.

In addition to hiking, there will the option to join a boat ride or two with our birding expert to access other locations for more bird (and other wildlife) viewing.

When not off birdwatching, there will be plenty of time to relax at the light keeper’s house and enjoy the tranquil setting of the island. There are multiple common rooms inside the light keeper's house in addition to many great spaces outside where you can spend your free time.

Prerequisites

• None

  

Accommodations

Lodging for this trip is in the renovated light keeper’s house for the Whitehead Light Station. This lighthouse is still an active aid to navigation which provides a beacon to passing mariners. The lighthouse is located on Whitehead Island which is approximately 8 miles southwest of Rockland, ME.

The light keeper’s house has individual bedrooms, each with their own private bathrooms. Linens, towels, and hand soap included. Rooms have either one or two beds and are booked as double occupancy.

Connectivity

There is wireless internet available.  Cellphone coverage can be intermittent.

Clothing Considerations

Dressing in layers is the key to staying comfortable in the outdoors. Multiple layers allow flexibility to respond to your activity level and changing weather conditions.

Please avoid bringing all-cotton clothing. When wet, cotton rapidly robs the heat from your body and takes a long time to dry. Synthetic fabrics are best because they don’t absorb water and they also dry quickly.

For an outer layer, we recommend a waterproof/breathable outer shell. This gear will protect you from the wind and rain and help keep you dry.

Luggage

Each guest should plan on having two bags with them for the duration of the trip. One bag should be a day pack to be carried while hiking. This can be used to carry a water bottle, extra layer, hat, camera, sunglasses, etc. The second bag should be a medium-sized duffel to carry your personal items listed on the bring list.

• Day pack
• Waterproof jacket (with hood) and waterproof pants
• Fleece jacket or wool sweater
• Warm hat and gloves (preferably waterproof)
• Synthetic hiking pants*
• Hiking boots (with ankle support)
• Lightweight shoes to wear at the end of the day
• Synthetic or wool socks
• Underwear
• Sunglasses
• Lip balm with sunscreen
• One-quart water bottle or hydration system
• Personal prescriptions such as EpiPen or inhaler
• Personal toiletries (travel size)
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent

*Synthetic clothing dries quickly and is the best choice for outdoor pursuits. Please do not wear cotton clothing. When wet, cotton rapidly robs the heat from your body and takes a long time to dry. We also recommend you dress in multiple layers, allowing you more flexibility to comfortably respond to the weather conditions and your level of exertion.

• Camera and accessories
• Binoculars

• Binoculars
• All meals and snacks
• Linens including bedding and towels
• Parking
• Transportation to/from island-based lodging

odprograms@llbean.com | 1-888-615-9979 | HOURS: 7 days a week, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. ET 

Smoking and Tobacco Policy

L.L.Bean Outdoor Discovery Programs activities are tobacco- and smoke-free (including electronic smoking devices) in support of a healthy lifestyle and respect for our participants and guests. We thank you for understanding and respecting this policy.

Alcohol Policy

In general, alcohol consumption is not permitted during L.L.Bean Outdoor Discovery Programs events for the safety of all participants. However, alcoholic beverages are allowed on overnight trips and may only be consumed in a responsible way after the day’s activities are finished. If participants consume alcohol to excess in the evening and behave in ways that negatively impact their own safety, that of the group or the natural environment around them, our guides will intervene. We hope that we will never have to remove an offending guest from the remainder of a trip to ensure the group’s safety, but we will do so if necessary.

Participants must be 18 years of age by the start of trip.

All rates are based on double occupancy. An additional charge of $200.00 will be added to your reservation if you are traveling solo or request a separate room. The fee will be added when your reservation is confirmed and will be due with the final payment.

To save on the single-occupancy fee, we are happy to pair a solo traveler with another solo traveler (of the same gender) to be your roommate for this trip. An additional charge of $100.00 will be added to your reservation. If we are able to find you a roommate, then we will fully refund the deposit to you. If we are NOT able to match you with a fellow solo traveler, then you will receive the single occupancy room for the $100.00 charge initially added to your reservation. Please contact us at 888-615-9979 if you are traveling solo and would like to be matched with another solo traveler.

This cancellation policy applies to all trips with lodging.

• Over 60 days prior to departure: All but $200
• 60-30 days prior to departure: 50% of total trip fees
• Less than 30 days or failure to show:  No refund

L.L.Bean does not usually cancel events due to inclement weather. However, we reserve the right to cancel an event at any time due to severe weather, low enrollment or other concerns. If L.L.Bean cancels your event, you will receive a full refund for the cost of your reservation. All refunds will be in the form of the original transaction. L.L.Bean shall not be responsible or liable for other expenses incurred by the participant as a result of such a cancellation.