5 More Islands to Hop | Maine’s Magical Islands
From stunning scenery to unforgettable events, you can find a great reason to take a ferry ride.
A windjammer glides through Gilkey Harbor off the coast of Isleboro, an island perched between East and West Penobscot Bay. In the background is the mainland, a mere 20 minutes away by ferry.
Photo Credit : Tricia LaddPhoto Credit : Tricia Ladd
Chebeague Island, Casco Bay
The largest of the Casco Bay Islands, Chebeague feels like an elegant summer resort town, with its fine old houses, scenic winding roads, and one of the best hidden beaches in Maine. Don’t miss the historic Chebeague Island Inn, whose wraparound porch and ocean views make for an ideal cocktail-hour backdrop. Getting there: Casco Bay Lines ferry from Portland. cascobaylines.com
Islesboro, Penobscot Bay
A stone’s throw from Camden, this rural 14-mile-long island is a delightful day-trip, though you’ll need a car or bike to fully explore it. The most popular destination is Pendleton Point, for its beach and view; on nearby Warren Island lies Maine’s first state park designed specifically for boaters. Getting there: State ferry from Lincolnville. maine.gov/mdot/ferry
Frenchboro,Acadia
Though Frenchboro actually encompasses 12 islands, most people understand it to mean the village itself, on Long Island. Spend a day-trip hiking on the 13.5 miles of trails in this nature lover’s paradise, or plan to attend Frenchboro’s signature event: a lobster feast that’s been held every summer for nearly 60 years (August 10, 2019). Getting there: State ferry from Bass Harbor. maine.gov/mdot/ferry
Swan’s Island,Acadia
An option for day-trippers from Mount Desert Island as well as overnighters (who can rent cottages or stay at the island motel), Swan’s Island has a lighthouse, a museum, beaches, and plenty of trails. It may be best known for the Sweet Chariot Music Festival, which features shanty caroling around the harbor (August 6–8, 2019). Getting there: State ferry from Bass Harbor. maine.gov/mdot/ferry
Little Cranberry,Acadia
Also known as Isleford—the name of the island’s sole hamlet—Little Cranberry is just a half-hour boat ride from Mount Desert Island and offers dramatic views of Acadia National Park (as does its neighbor, Great Cranberry). There’s a harborside restaurant, a historical museum, and a few galleries; lucky art lovers may even see famed painter Ashley Bryan, a longtime resident. Getting there: Privately operated ferries and water taxis from Northeast Harbor, Manset, or Southwest Harbor. cranberryisles.com/ferries.html
