Portland and Casco Bay - the natural world on your doorstep

Casco Bay, surrounding Maine's capital of Portland, is home to hundreds of islands, and Walter Cronkite even once deemed it home to some of the best sailing in the world. Under three hours from Boston on the east coast of the USA, this is a fisherman's paradise. It is also the closest New England state to the Arctic Circle, making this a haven for wildlife enthusiasts.

Sometimes called the calendar islands due to the belief that there are 365 of them, one for each day of the year, the islands of Casco Bay protect Portland's harbor and stretch out into the Atlantic. The seas are rich with wildlife including humpback and minke whales, porpoises and harbor seals and - for the angler - an abundance of mackerel, bass, lobster and crab. Fishing trips are plentiful with experienced guides and fun for the whole family.  The entire area grew up around fishing and the sea, so expect wonderful seafood, especially lobsters and clams. All around the islands, the shores boast small and friendly restaurants with excellent views of the rugged coast.

Bailey Island is one of the larger ones, linked to the mainland and the town of Harpswell by Route 24 or, more scenically, via the Casco Bay Ferry lines service which offers a range of transport or cruising options. You can choose from a six-hour cruise, a moonlit run or join the mail boat, which has historically provided the islanders contact with the outside world %u2026 not to mention their groceries. Whichever one you choose, make sure you enjoy the lobster bake and bring your binoculars! All departures are from the ferry terminal in downtown Portland or the corner of Franklin and Commercial Street. Just 400 people live on this rocky, pretty little island year-round, but it has been inhabited since the early 1700s. Its bridge is a record holder in its own right as the only cribstone bridge in the world and a designated historic landmark. Along with Mackerel Cove, it is one of the most photographed locations in Maine. This is a place to really get away from it all and enjoy the wild Atlantic coast at its best.

Orr's Island is just to the north of Bailey Island and is home to the main town in the area, Harpswell. Though whether it is truly a town is a matter of some debate, with fewer than 800 residents on the entire island.

You could also take a trip to the only nesting colony of Atlantic puffins on the US mainland. Over 4,000 of these comical-looking birds make their homes on the islands and the best time to see them is in June and July.  The nearest colony to Portland is at Eastern Egg Rock or, farther afield, at Matinicus Rock. There are regular departures from late April through to August with established companies including the Monhegan Boat Line and Hardy Boat Cruises.

The summer is also the time to spot the world's largest mammals out at sea. Just 20 miles off the coast you can find pilot, humpback, minke and finback whales and occasionally even spot orca and sperm whales. Though you may be lucky and see them from the shores, the very best way is to join a whale watching trip. Maine Charters and Long Reach Cruises operate from Portland and around Casco Bay. These enormous sea creatures, once seen and heard, will never be forgotten. Whale watching must surely be on everyone's bucket list.

If you can drag yourself away from the wild beauty of the coast, there is more wildlife to be found in the thousands of acres of protected wilderness in Maine. The most popular attraction has to be the moose - these huge animals are best seen just before spring but, with a guide, can be found at any time of the year. But they are not the only stars of the show. Being this far north, there are opportunities to spot lynx, martens, mink, salamanders, otter, foxes, beavers, bald eagles, deer and %u2026 with some luck %u2026 the black bear. You don't even have to go too far off the beaten track. There are numerous well-marked hiking routes and a registered guide or safari tour will help your chances of spotting some of these elusive creatures in their natural forest habitat.

When you are ready for a return to civilization and you are ready for some gastronomic delights, Portland is the place to go and is definitely worth a few days of your time. It has great transport links including its own international airport and, for those who like to take things slowly with great scenery, a train connection with Boston (under three hours). After the delights of nature around Casco Bay, Portland will break you in gently, being a low-rise, relatively small city of under 70,000 residents that is steeped in colonial history.  Forbes also recently ranked it at the top of the list of America's most livable cities and the sea is nearly always in view. The Old Port district is well worth a visit, sauntering along the quays and diving into the many restaurants. Portland is known for its food, with purportedly more restaurants per person than anywhere else in the USA. You must try the lobster and also Italian sandwiches, which was created right here. There is a big farm-to-table, sustainable food movement here, which means your produce will typically be local and very fresh. Favorite eateries include Becky's Diner right on Commercial Street, al0omg with some other great restaurants on the street.. Also check out the Farmers Market in the Monument Square on Mondays and Wednesdays, which has been running since the mid 1700s. Walking along the wharves of Commercial Street will bring you to several markets selling the local fresh catch as well as delicious fresh bread. If you like beer to wash down all this food, there are a good handful of micro breweries to visit including local favorites the D.L. Geary Brewing Company and Casco Bay Brewing Co. Portland celebrates its food and drink with festivals, especially through the autumn.