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What shaped the rugged nature of Maine's coastline?
- The rugged nature of the Maine coastline and of many of its islands is the result of the action of retreating glaciers back during the last ice age.
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How many islands are off the coast of Maine?
- Amazingly, there are over 3,000 islands off the coast of Maine, many of which are uninhabited, pristine, and incredibly picturesque.
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1. Deer Isle
Deer Isle is located in Penobscot Bay, off the Blue Hill Peninsula, and offers a haven for all outdoor enthusiasts, artists, photographers, and explorers. You can reach the island by road from the mainland by crossing a towering bridge built back in 1939 – just beyond the beach you will find the visitors center, manned by enthusiastic locals who can provide maps, trails, and details of local events. In addition to spending your time admiring the natural splendor of the island, there are also many galleries and studios to visit – Deer Isle has long attracted artists and crafters. Other attractions include the Deer Isle Granite Museum and the Stonington Opera House.
2. Vinalhaven Island
Located off the coast of southern Maine, Vinalhaven Island provides an interesting coastal destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Although the extremely cold water may put visitors off swimming (unless you bring a wet suit), you can spend many happy hours exploring the rocky shoreline, tide-pooling, or enjoying sunset walks. The island is surrounded by many smaller uninhabited islands, which you can visit by kayak – you can either join a kayak tour or set off on your own. There are 16 nature preserves on the island, where you can spend some time hiking and wildlife watching – the island is particularly popular with bird watchers, who come to spot the many varieties of marine birds. You can also take a swim in a quarry – the island was previously the site of extensive granite quarries.
3. Bar Island
Bar Island is an uninhabited island that forms part of Acadia National Park, located across a tidal “bar” or causeway from Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island. You can easily reach Bar Island on foot at low tide – you just need to be sure to check the tide schedule to avoid being cut off from Bar Harbor. Bar Island is beyond picturesque and is a popular destination for visitors who enjoy beach-combing, walking, bird and wildlife watching, fishing, trail running, and hiking. The whole family can enjoy the 1.8-mile Bar Harbor Trail, which offers beautiful Bar Harbor Views and lovely wild flowers in season. There are plenty of options for accommodation in and around Bar Harbor.
4. Chebeague Island
Beautiful Chebeague Island has been a popular summer holiday destination for decades and is home to a small population of lucky year-round residents. Chebeague is located in Casco Bay and is only accessible by sea using Casco Bay Lines. This delightful small island (just 3 miles by 5 miles) is best explored by bicycle – this will give you the opportunity to discover all the hidden beaches, coves, and inlets and get some exercise at the same time. Some of the must-do activities to add to your itinerary include crossing the sandbar to Little Chebeague from “The Hook” (be sure to check the tide schedule), have a picnic and do some beach-combing at Deer Point, spend a day on Hamilton Beach, and watch the sunset from Sunset Beach. Island hopping in Casco Bay is a perennial favorite.
5. Cliff Island
Cliff Island is the smallest Casco Bay Island that is accessible year-round and is located at the end of the Casco Bay Lines ferry, about 2 hours sailing from Portland. Cliff Island has just 60 full-time residents and there is not a great deal on offer for tourists, but if it is peace, solitude, and coastal beauty that you crave, you will find it here. The main island activities inevitably revolve around fishing, boating, walking, bird watching, and cycling, and it is also possible to do a bit of island hopping using the Casco Bay Lines ferry to visit Long Island and Chebeague Island.
6. Damariscove Island
Damariscove Island is an uninhabited island located around 5 nautical miles from Boothbay Harbor in Lincoln County. This tiny island is only 2 miles long and less than a half-mile wide and is perfect to explore on foot on a warm summer day. The only way to get to this historic island (Damariscove was the first island to be inhabited by European fishermen back in the 1600s) is by private boat – fortunately, boat rentals are available in Boothbay Harbor. Once you reach Damariscove Island, you can spend the day exploring around 3 miles of hiking trails, have a beach picnic, and spend some time bird watching – the island is a haven for numerous species of sea birds. Don’t miss the tiny museum, which explains the island’s history.
7. Appledore Island
Appledore is one of the nine Isles of Shoals, located less than 10 miles from Portsmouth Harbor on the coast of New England. The island is owned by the Star Island Corporation, which leases the entire island to the universities of Cornell and New Hampshire for their summer marine biology programs. If you would like to experience this beautiful island and learn all about the valuable work conducted by the marine laboratory as well as the history of the island, you need to sign up for an Explore Appledore Island Walking Tour, presented during summer by the University of New Hampshire. Your day trip to Appledore will be led by a university docent who will bring the interesting history of Appledore to life.
8. Eagle Island
Eagle Island is a National Historic Landmark located just a few miles off the coast of Harpswell, and was once the private island and summer retreat of the North Pole explorer, Admiral Robert Peary. You can visit the island in summer from 15th June to Labor Day; we suggest your start you visit at the Welcome Center, where you can watch a 10-minute movie about the life and achievements of Admiral Peary and pick up a free audio guide. Activities on the island include exploring the beaches and coves, hiking (trails only open after the 15th July to protect nesting sea birds), canoeing and sea-kayaking, fishing, and motorized boating. You can also visit the lovely garden, originally planted by Josephine Peary.
9. Great Cranberry Island
Great Cranberry Island can be reached by boat in around 30 minutes from Mount Desert Island and offers visitors a relaxing area for walking, cycling, and other island pursuits like beach-combing, tidal-pooling, canoeing, kayaking and motorized boating. The best way to explore Great Cranberry Island is by bicycle or on foot – there is a downloadable walking tour map – and you also have the option of using the (free) Cranberry Explorer Shuttle. You can have lunch at Hitty’s Café, and visit the Cranberry House Historical Museum. Although there are no lodgings on the island, there are some rental properties you can hire if you fancy a longer stay.
10. Great Diamond Island
Great Diamond Island is a private island located in Casco Bay off the coast of Maine and forms part of the city of Portland. You can only access the island by private boat or ferry, using Casco Bay Lines. Visitors looking for a quiet and peaceful place to simply relax and enjoy a coastal holiday can rent a cottage on the car-free island, but there is very little tourist infrastructure and you will need to create your own activities. You can enjoy walking and hiking, fishing, and wildlife watching or spend time on the waters using a motorized boat, sea-kayak, or sailing boat. If you do get bored, you can always hop on the ferry and be back in Portland in 30 minutes for some retail therapy.
Map:
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Table of Contents:
- 1. Deer Isle
- 2. Vinalhaven Island
- 3. Bar Island
- 4. Chebeague Island
- 5. Cliff Island
- 6. Damariscove Island
- 7. Appledore Island
- 8. Eagle Island
- 9. Great Cranberry Island
- 10. Great Diamond Island