Acadia National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour

3.5 (4 reviews) 16–18 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

4 reviews

3.5

Thunder Hole — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Acadia National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Experience the stunning beauty of Acadia National Park with our immersive audio tour! Explore rocky coastlines, lush forests, and serene lakes while our guides share captivating stories and interesting facts about the park's history, wildlife, and unique geology. Discover the charm of iconic spots like Cadillac Mountain, Jordan Pond, and Sand Beach. Perfect for families, nature lovers, and adventurers, our audio tour lets you explore at your own pace, making your visit both educational and enjoyable. Simply download, plug in your headphones, and set off on an unforgettable journey through the breathtaking landscapes of Acadia National Park!

*Download the Shaka Guide app to access the purchased tours*

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At a glance

Duration: 16–18 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Audio guide: English
Operated by: Shaka Guide Apps

What is included

Included

Included: Take the tour when you want
Included: Tours NEVER expire
Included: Freedom to explore at your own pace
Included: Offline map (no wifi or data needed)
Included: Tour highlights with activity and restaurant recommendations
Included: Turn-by-turn directions using GPS
Included: Hours of audio narration with stories, travel tips and music
Included: Audio narration that plays automatically as you drive

Not included

Not included: Meals and refreshment - optional
Not included: Horse-drawn carriage rides - optional (price varies)

Itinerary

Hulls Cove Visitor Center

30 min

Acadia National Park & The Hulls Cove Visitor Center, where you purchase park tickets and get maps.
Frenchman Bay

5 min

Your first overlook after entering the park, high above the Gulf of Maine and Atlantic Ocean.
Sieur de Monts Spring

30 min

An exhibit center for park nature and science, plus Wild Gardens and trails like Jesup Path, on the site of Acadia's origin.
Champlain Mountain & Beehive Loop Trail

5 min

Another view from afar showing you how high up you still are above Bar Harbor and the ocean, before you get closer to sea level.
Stop 5

10 min

A larger, still elevated overlook area with a vista of the sea
Great Head Trail

one hour

This is a popular, two mile round-trip, moderate loop hike high above the ocean and Sand Beach.
Sand Beach

one hour

From the Sand Beach parking lot, head down to the sandy beachfront, or walk up to the Ocean Path and walk parallel to the road and coastline all the way to Otter Point. It's 2.2 miles, or 4.4 miles round trip.
Thunder Hole

one hour

This is a small inlet, naturally carved out of the rocks, where the waves roll in. At the end of the inlet, down low, is a small cavern where, when the rush of the wave arrives, air and water are forced out like a clap of thunder, with splashes as high as 40 feet to accompany the thunderous roar.
Otter Cliff

5 min

These cliffs rise a hundred feet above the coast and are a popular rock-climbing spot over the ocean.
Stop 10

5 min

This is the very southern tip of the peninsula, and the other end of the Ocean Path that began back at Sand Beach. The view from here is one of the most spectacular sights along the North Atlatic seaboard.
Stop 11

30 min

This is where the road curves around the inlet known as Otter Cove, featuring a one-of-a-kind stone bridge. The inlet leads to a creek on the other side. This cove is a great place for tidepooling!
Stop 12

Passing by

A giant barn holds stables for enormous, strong horses that pull carriages up and down some of the historic carriage roads of Acadia, just as they've done since the days of John D. Rockefeller, Jr., who began building them in 1913.
Jordan Pond

30 min

This pond is more like a lake. It covers 187 acres with an iconic view of the Bubbles mountains. Jordan Pond House is a historic house...and home to an iconic tradition at Acadia...the baking of hot, piping popover rolls that remain one of the most popular reasons that folks flock to Acadia!
Stop 14

one hour

Bubble Rock is a gigantic boulder hanging off the side of South Bubble Mountain. To get to it, hike the Bubbles Divide Trail. This is a short, easy-to-moderate hike, only about a mile long, with a total elevation gain of 608 feet. Plus some boulder scrambling at the end if you want to get really close to the rock. Hike the Bubbles Divide Trail to South Bubble, following signs to Bubble Rock.Just keep left the whole way up the trail.
Cadillac Mountain

one hour

Cadillac Mountain rises 1,528 feet above sea level. That makes is the highest mountain in Acadia and on Mount Desert Island. It's also the highest point along the entire east coast of the United States. And you can drive up to the summit for breathtaking views of Bar Harbor, Frenchman Bay and the Porcupine Islands.
Somesville Museum and Gardens

30 min

This is one of the most photographed bridges in all of Maine, with a graceful arch reflected by the waters of Somes Creek, framed by nature for a picturesque and charming view. It's nicknamed the Monet Bridge after the French artist, because it's as pretty as one of his paintings. There's also a small museum on site in case you want to peruse the history of Mount Desert Island.
Echo Lake Beach

30 min

With a sandy beach on its south shore, Echo Lake is a gorgeous little lake on the western side of Mount desert Island just south of Somesville, and part of Acadia. It makes for a nice swimming hole in summer, and voices tend to echo off the surrounding mountainous granite rocks.
Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

45 min

Built of brick in 1858 on a stone foundation, this lighthouse stands 56 feet above the high water mark. It's the most famous lighthouse in Acadia. It's the only lighthouse on Mount Desert Island, and one of the most recognized and photographed in the United States.
Ship Harbor Nature Trail

one hour

This is an easy 1.3 mile figure-eight loop along the forest floor off Seawall Road near the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, with stunning coastline views.
Wonderland Trail

one hour

This is an easy 1.4 mile round trip hike to the ocean along Seawall Road near Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse.
Seawall Picnic Area

30 min

This is a picnic area with a parking lot where you can stop and take in an up-close view of the ocean.
Charlotte Rhoades Garden and Butterfly Park

45 min

This butterfly garden at Charlotte Rhoades Park gives visitors a chance to learn more about butterfly habitats and spot some up close.
Stop 23

30 min

This is historic homestead is an example of a typical Maine mountain farm. It was first settled by John Carroll and his family in 1825, and has been preserved after being donated to Acadia.
Seal Harbor

15 min

On the optional Northeast Harbor leg. There's also a beautiful village green here, along with a small sandy beach.
Thuya Gardens

30 min

An optional stop on the Northeast Harbor leg to explore some beautiful landscaped gardens.
Asticou Azalea Garden

30 min

An optional stop on the Northeast Harbor leg to explore a beautiful azalea garden.
Northeast Harbor

30 min

A small village along the optional Northeast Harbor leg.
Somes Sound

15 min

An optional drive along Somes Sound on the Northeast Harbor leg.
Stop 29

15 min

A small park along the Northeast Harbor leg, along Sergeant Drive and the Somes Sound
The Seal Cove Auto Museum

45 min

Along the westernmost option leg of the southwest peninsula, this is a museum featuring some of the very first automobiles.
Stop 31

15 min

Along the westernmost option leg of the southwest peninsula, this is a small park area near the water.
Eagle Lake

45 min

This is the largest freshwater lakes in Acadia and on Mount Desert Island. It's 452 pristine acres, with an average depth of 50 feet.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Just before the Hulls Cove Visitor Center, as they’re getting ready to reach the main park entrance.

End point

Just before the Hulls Cove Visitor Center, as they’re getting ready to reach the main park entrance.

Using your ticket

HOW TO REDEEM YOUR TOUR:

Thank you for purchasing the Acadia Tour.

Before you start your adventure, you'll need to redeem and download the tour in the Shaka Guide app. Follow the instructions below:

*Please Note: The redeem code is the 10-digit booking reference number on your ticket (located under the barcode).

1. Download the Shaka Guide App in the App Store or Google Play Store (or use the link at the bottom of this email)

2. Open the app and sign in/create your account

3. Go to Support → Retrieve Purchases

4. Tap on Redeem Purchases

5. Enter your Redeem Code (10-digit booking reference number on your ticket located under the barcode)

6. Tap on Redeem Purchases

7. Download your tour(s)

Once you've redeemed your tour, you'll find it under "My Stuff" in the app.

For a smooth ride, download the tour with wifi before you go.

Should you need further assistance or have other questions, email us at [email protected] or call (808) 201-8138

DOWNLOAD THE APP HERE: www.shakaguide.com/download

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Optional Starting Points:
- Hulls Cove Visitor Center parking lot
- Rt. 3 Trenton straight to Somesville
Travelers must have a smartphone compatible with the Shaka Guide app.
The app must be downloaded and the tour redeemed before arrival.
Strong Wi-Fi or cellular data is required to download the tour in advance.
Location services (GPS) must be enabled on the device
Travelers are responsible for securing any required entrance passes, reservations, or permits before starting
May through October - advanced reservations are required to visit Cadillac Mountain.
If you plan on dining at Jordan Pond House in Acadia National Park we highly recommend reservations.
You can take a horse-drawn carriage rides at Acadia National Park – we recommend making reservations in advance.
Only swim if there’s a lifeguard on duty - the Atlantic Ocean can be very rough.
Be mindful of rocky cliffs!