Fort Gorges,

Portland, ME 04101

"Only accessible by water taxi, kayak tour or private kayak/boat. Sits in the center of the harbor so there's great views all around. It's relatively well maintained with minimal vandalism and areas that are in disrepair/dangerous are roped off."

"You can only get to the island by tour, water taxi, or private kayak / boat, so plan accordingly. Can be explored at your own risk, but no camping allowed. But the place is open and free to explore, but beware, the inside is only partially maintained with no staff onsite. No electricity or facilities in the fort either. I went via the Kayak tour from Portland Paddle, highly recommend!"

"Fort Gorges is a very fascinating historical landmark to visit. We toured the fort on a sea kayaking trip with Portland Paddle and our guide Alonzo was very knowledgeable in his information and facts about the fort. We spotted some seals and ospreys on our journey as well. It's definitely worth checking out if you're interested in history and urban exploring."

"We kayaked out to Fort Gorges on a beautiful day and had a picnic and explored. We left from Eastern Promenade and it took about 20 minutes to paddle out to the fort. I know many people see this beautiful fort in Casco Bay and wonder what's on the inside. Don't be afraid to hop in kayak on a nice day and see it for yourself. Bring a flashlight and some comfortable shoes. The Fort is maintained but there are some obstacles which will need to be avoided."

"Did a 2.4 mile paddle from the public dock and it's a paddle with a strong wind and current with heavy boat traffic. Was fun and a surprising challenge. Be careful and check the tide chart and wind conditions if kayaking out. Also watch for fog."