Located at 9 Water Street, Rockland, Maine
The Maine Coastal Islands Visitor Center and Headquarters in Rockland is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays. The Nature Store is open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Spring Art Show – Through May 21st. Featuring Leaps of Imagination with students from RSU 12; Riley School students and Sara J. Cary with images of science and nature.
Art Opening – Friday, May 30, 4-6 PM
These art exhibits will be up until July 18th.
“Capturing Natural Maine” by Midcoast Maine Plein Air Artists
The magnificent coast of Midcoast Maine has always been an exciting location for plein air artists. A group of resident artists started painting out of doors together during Covid, and this informal group has grown and continued to work together. Since 2020, the group has held an annual exhibit of their work at a variety of locations, and the exhibition at the Refuge Visitor Center this year features paintings by seventeen artists in a variety of media.
“Earthly Delights” by Bettina Swirkal and John Bisignono
One could sum up the philosophy of these two artists of Owls Head Maine in the following statement:
“To make art is our way of communicating the abundant beauty of nature. We try to make art that will bring pleasure and awaken keener observation of the simple things around us.”
Puffin Cruise to Eastern Egg Rock
Saturday, June 14, 2025
1 pm to 3 pm
Are you tired of over-crowded pelagic trips where you can’t see the birds because there are too many people? The beautiful thing about this trip is that it is limited to fewer people, and everyone will get a bird’s eye view! This year we are restricting the number of passengers to only 35. Although Eastern Egg Rock isn’t one of our Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge islands, it is a wonderful duplication of our efforts protecting nesting seabirds offshore. Expect to see nesting Atlantic puffins, common & Arctic terns, laughing gulls, black guillemots, and common eiders. If we are lucky enough, we may be able to pick out some endangered roseate terns in the colony or even a non-breeding razorbill. As this is a special cruise, a $65 cost is associated with this trip. This trip is a fundraiser to help support our island internships. Don’t wait too long because this trip will fill up early! Meet and park at Monhegan Boat Lines in Port Clyde, Maine. M/V Laura B will depart at the Port Clyde dock. Boarding will begin at 12:45pm. Rain date is: Sunday, June 15, 1-3 pm
Purchase your tickets at this link or call (207) 594-0600 ext 5114.
Sunday, July 13, Seabird Cruise to Petit Manan Island
3:30-5:30 pm (boarding at 3 PM)
Join us on our grand finale trip for the spring/summer Bird Time on the Coast! Travel in style on the Bar Harbor Whale Watching Company’s Friendship V for our annual fundraising event to benefit the Refuge. The Friendship V takes us on a swift, quiet and eco-friendly ride to Petit Manan Island, which is home to terns, puffins, black guillemots and more. While we can’t go ashore, we will have the opportunity to chat with the Island Technicians and ask questions about the seabirds and researchers living on the island during the summer. There is a very good chance of seeing Wilson’s storm-petrels or shearwaters on this trip. We will raffle off a themed gift basket, so bring some cash! Sweet and savory finger foods are provided by the Friends, and the boat will have a cash bar. You may bring your own non-alcoholic drinks and food, but nothing in a glass container or hard cooler. Tickets are $65, and 100% of each ticket supports the Friends of Maine Coastal Islands NWR and the Refuge. Children aged 10 and under who are with their parent/guardian can come for free. Parking in Bar Harbor along designated streets and in lots can be secured using the ParkMobile app. Set up your ParkMobile app before you arrive to make it easier as parking can be limited – our advice is to get there early! Rain or shine! Be at the dock for boarding at 3:00 pm. The Bar Harbor Whale Watching Company is located at 1 West Street, Bar Harbor, Maine.
Purchase your tickets here or call (207)594-0600 ext. 5114.
Bird Time on the Coast – Guided Bird walks at select times through the spring!
“Bird Time on the Coast” is back this year! This fan favorite includes local bird experts who will lead trips to some of their favorite bird hotspots along the coast of Maine. Bird Time on the Coast is open to all bird watching abilities from beginners to advanced.
Registration is required to participate. A donation to support the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge is suggested, and except for the seabird cruises, walks are scheduled from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 am. All trips are limited in number and will fill up quickly, so register early.