With its myriad of harbors, coves and islets, Penobscot Bay offers what Maine cruising is all about. Located at the northwest corner is the quiet and beautiful town of Belfast. With the recent opening of a first class marina and shipyard, it is a prime cruising destination, away from overwhelming summer crowds. First class restaurants and a great co-op for provisioning can be found within walking distance from the marina. Heading south is Camden, a truly picture-perfect New England village nestled along the west side of Penobscot Bay. Built around the long and narrow harbor, the village is easy to explore on foot, with plenty of boutiques, galleries and restaurants all close by. Provisioning is also quite good, with a choice of upscale gourmet stores and a popular farmer’s market. Rockport, located south of Camden in one of the region’s most charming and scenic protected coves, is home to a summer artist colony. Nearby is Rockland, a hub of boating activity for Lower Penobscot Bay, offering excellent anchorage and home to first class marinas. Thomaston and Tenants Harbor also offer very pleasant cruising stops.