Your walking tour of the Ocean Path begins at the Ocean Path Trailhead and takes you past Sand Beach, one of the premier swimming spots in Acadia. As you walk, you’ll hear about the rich marine wildlife, such as the harbor porpoises and harbor seals. You might just see some of them in action!
Up next, you’ll get the story of the Sand Beach shipwreck. Hear how a small schooner’s crew clung to life in the midst of a violent storm, with their own vessel destroyed. Then you’ll uncover the mystery of the area’s diverse warblers and the trees in which they make their homes. Continuing your trip, you’ll hear about the peregrine falcons, which can dive at over 200 miles an hour! You’ll also get familiar with the efforts to reintroduce this endangered species through a process ironically known as “hacking.”
Strolling along the rocky shoreline, you’ll learn about the tide pools and how they serve as havens for a variety of sea critters, such as sea stars and blue mussels. You’ll soon come to Otter Cliff. While not named after the sea otters, it has a significant history, including being the site of a Navy radio station in World War I.
As you keep walking, hear about the loons, find out why they’re endangered, and unearth the efforts to conserve this unique species. The journey ends at the majestic Otter Point Overlook.