Adventure Row FAQ

Every day is a little different, but each one is a refreshing escape from the pace and monotony of normal life. Typically we’ll be rowing from one destination to another along the rugged Maine coast, often with rest stops along the way to stretch our legs.

Along the way we may see wildlife such as harbor seals, osprey, bald eagles, and if you’re really lucky, harbor porpoises.

When we arrive at the island where we’re staying for the night, we’ll set up camp and then have time to relax and explore the shoreline, tidepools, and coastal forests before cooking our evening meal and settling into our tents for a well-earned sleep.

The campsites are beautiful, wild and remote, set on Maine’s delicate coastal islands. They will typically be sites on the Maine Island Trail network, or sites owned by Maine Coast Heritage Trust. These are remote backcountry sites. We will follow strict Leave No Trace principles to minimize our impact and carry out all waste, including human waste.

Not likely. While there are a couple island campsites that have rustic pit outhouses, most of the time we will be using a wag bag system for going number two. There are no showers, and no fresh water sources – we bring all our drinking water. Most people find these inconveniences a worthwhile sacrifice for the soul-feeding adventure and beauty of being immersed in the wild. But if you prefer your vacations with toilets and showers, this may not be the trip for you!

Sometimes nature calls while we’re underway, especially if you’re on a trip with longer jumps between campsites. We carry small buckets for peeing while underway – ability to hold a squat in a rocking boat is a plus.

We encourage folks to take advantage of their expedition time to disconnect a bit from the obligation of monitoring their devices. At the same time, we understand you might want your phone for taking pictures, and for checking in with loved ones briefly each day. We recommend keeping phones in waterproof cases and in airplane mode most of the time. Cell phone coverage can be spotty along the coast, but in most places text messages can go through if not voice calls.

Food is an incredibly important part of any wilderness adventure, not just for the fuel it provides but for the psychological comfort and pick-me-up of eating something delicious after working really hard. We have lots of experience with planning food for long-distance rowing, and we also appreciate that everyone’s food requirements are a little different. Rowing to Wild will provide hearty breakfasts, plentiful snacks for the rowing day, and warm dinners each evening, and will do our best to provide options and variety to appeal to different tastes. Of course, there is only so much room in the boat so our meals will be filling and delicious but not too fancy. If you have a special diet or food allergies, we will work out a plan with you beforehand to ensure your nutritional needs are safely met.

We may depart from Belfast, Rockland, or other points further Down East depending on the trip’s itinerary. Participants will drive themselves and meet their guide at the departure location.

Each trip will be designed with the skill levels and desires of the individual rowers in mind. 5 - 15 miles of rowing per day is the typical range for most trips, but longer or shorter daily mileage may be possible.

Rowing to Wild will supply all gear required to row (lifejackets, seat cushions, etc) and all camping gear (tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, cookware, etc). You will need to bring your own clothing and personal care items. You will receive a detailed clothing & gear list after making a deposit for your trip.

We take safety very seriously and will carefully monitor the weather forecasts for several days leading up to the trip, as well as continuing to monitor during the trip. High winds are the single greatest factor in our weather decisions. If high winds or other weather conditions prevent us from following our original itinerary, we will do our best to come up with an alternative route that is more protected. If conditions prevent us from going out safely, we will follow our cancellation policy (see below).

If you cancel: Deposits are non-refundable. If you cancel 14-30 days before the trip starts, money is non-refundable, but you may apply the amount to another trip for one year (on a space available basis) minus your deposit. If you cancel less than 14 days before the starting date, money is non-transferable and non-refundable. We go in all conditions including rain. If extreme weather conditions prevent you from traveling to Maine for your trip, you may use the full amount less the deposit for another trip for one year from the trip starting date.

If we cancel: We only cancel a trip for safety reasons (ie, extreme weather, natural or other disasters, etc.) If we need to cancel, we try to reschedule another trip. If we need to cancel for safety you may choose to use the full amount toward another RTW trip for 2 years, or receive a 50% refund and apply the other half to a RTW trip for 2 years.

Our overnight rowing adventures require the ability to sit on a rowing seat for multiple hours at a time, clamber in and out of the boat onto rocky shores, and carry gear across slippery seaweed (among other inconveniences). Participants need to have at least six months prior experience with sliding seat rowboats, be physically fit, and be steady on their feet on uneven terrain. The better shape you are in, the easier everything will be and the more fun you’ll have!

With only four spots available per trip, our adventures offer an intimate small-group experience. For the 2025 season, the cost for our 3-day, 2-night adventure rows is $975 per person. For groups who sign up with their own group of four rowers, the discounted rate is $925 per person. An additional $15 discount applies if paying by cash or check.