Paddling the protected waters of the Machias River offers excellent scenery and abundant wildlife viewing for paddlers. The area is especially known for great eagle watching. The river channel travels through marshes and mudflats and can be traveled regardless of tide but there is a lot more water to work with during the top half of the tide. The trip can be done as an out-and-back or as a one-way by parking a car and taking out in Machiasport.