penobscot bay (and beyond) destinatioN MAP:

The ferry operates three times a day, but their schedule might not always fit yours, particularly if you are trying to connect to the Rockland airport.  Pickups after the last ferry can be arranged, either in Rockland (Knights Marine by the ferry terminal or Journey's End Marina), or Owl's Head, and skip paying for a hotel!  Summer traffic can also delay the bus, to the point of missing the last ferry at 5:15 pm, but not Island Connection.  If you have an early morning flight, departures can be scheduled before the first ferry, so you can easily connect, and be at work in Boston by 9am.  A complimentary pick up or drop off on North Haven is possible; call to discuss.

Yacht delivery pickup from the public ramp, or marinas, such as Journey's End, Knight Marine, or Safe Harbor.

Mill river, an inland tidal lake, and Perry's Cove, are ideal high tide destinations for exploring, swimming in somewhat warmer waters, kayaking, and wonderful hiking trails, such as Fox Rocks.  Tide dependent. 

Perry Creek Map.

Hurricane Island is about 20 minutes from North Haven and offers incredible trails with stunning elevated vistas.  The island contains many historic reminders of a busy granite industry with cast off carvings, foundations, and machinery.  An ongoing island educational program welcomes visitors with moorings and a dock.  Camping is available.  

Link to Map.

Brimstone Island is about 30 minutes from North Haven and is a remote getaway.  The island archipelago allows challenging kayaking, excellent hiking, and beachcombing.  Beach landing required.  This ancient volcano remnant has exposed basalt outcroppings forming impossibly smooth "brimstones" over the milenia.

Isle Au Haut Island is about 30 minutes from North Haven and is a large unspoiled nature preserve, being part of Acadia National Park.  Duck Harbor offers excellent dock access to an extensive trail system and a perimeter road, suitable for mountain biking, and access to a freshwater lake.  The trails offer great views of Penobscot bay and the island's rugged coast line.  There are multiple campsites with picnic tables.  Duck harbor mountain trail has unparalleled views and entertaining rock scrambles.  

Link to Map.

Stonington is about 30 minutes from North Haven and is one of the largest lobstering ports on the East coast.  There is a smaller grocery store, various galleries, gift shops, restaurants, and ice cream.  Billings Marine can perform all manner of repairs, and is a frequent yacht delivery and pickup location.  A centrally located town town dock allows easy access to the town.  A short trip to Green island can be included, which has a modest perimeter trail, granite wharf, and small quarry for swimming.  Then if desired, tour the world famous "Merchants Row" archipelago.  

Green Island Map.

Yacht delivery from/to Billings Marine.

Carver's harbor is about 20 minutes from North Haven and is packed with an astounding number of lobster boats.  The quaint town offers a bank, grocery, various restaurants, and gift shops.  The town dock allows direct access.  Quarries for swimming are about a 20 to 30 minute walk outside of town, or hitchhike.  If you missed the North Haven ferry, and instead taken the Vinalhaven ferry, we can meet at the town dock (next to the ferry landing) for quick trip over to North Haven, via protected waters.

These three islands are about 15 minutes from North Haven.  Burnt has a dock while Calderwood and Babbidge require beach landings.  All of these unspoiled islands have rugged trail systems.  Calderwood island has an easily reached campsite, with a tidal sand beach.

Recent transportation of shepherds to Babbidge emphasized that dogs are not permitted as seasonal sheep are chased into the water, where they will swim away to their detriment, sometimes winding up on tidal ledges.  

Calderwood Map.  Burnt Island Map.

The White Island archipelago are about 20 minutes from North Haven via scenic Leadbetter's Narrows.  This is a great area for kayaking and picnicking.  There's no dock, however a sandy beach allows ready access.  Large granite ledges create challenging circumnavigations.  Historically, Big Garden island was given to Charles Lindbergh, as a wedding present, but is now public.

Monroe island is about 20 minutes from North Haven, or 10 minutes from Rockland.  The island has a dock and a wonderful perimeter trail, with spur trails to dramatic shorelines and beaches.  

Monroe Map.

The Basin is about 15 minutes from North Haven and is a large body of inland Vinalhaven water, connected to the ocean by a small tidal opening, creating exciting kayaking, and peaceful exploring.  This destination is tide dependent.

Islesboro is about the same distance as Rockland and a frequent yacht delivery/pickup location either at 700 acre island Dark Harbor boat yard, or the Tarratine Yacht Club, for example.

Sloop island is about an 35 minutes from North Haven and is small, treeless, with excellent beaches making this an ideal picnicking destination with kayaking options.

Butter island is about an 35 minutes from North Haven and contains a large easement encompassing a trail to a marvelous overlook with a bench and enormous Orchard Beach.  Campsite available.

Matinicus island is about an hour from North Haven where there is a small year round lobstering community and larger summer population.  Depending on timing, there may be a bakery or gift shop open.  A central road leads to a sandy beach on the South side.  Matinicus means "far off land", in the indigenous language, which is an apt description, given this is one of Maine's farthest offshore islands.

Seal island is about an hour from North Haven where there is a unique North Atlantic Puffin colony. Puffins are small aquatic birds, sometimes known as the parrots of the sea, for their parrot like beaks.  Other marine birds and seals are numerous.  The island is staffed seasonally by the Audubon Society.  Landing on the island is generally not possible, with paperwork and prior arrangement required, given unexploded ordnance, from historical use as target practice.  A side trip to Wooden Ball island, three miles away, with a huge grey seal population, can be included.

Marshall island is a little over an hour from North Haven and offers a large fine sand beach.  It is one of largest uninhabited Maine islands.  Perimeter, center, and spur trails will easily fill a day.  There are multiple campsites. Multiple Things to do and Attractions.

Frenchboro is an hour from North Haven, just past Swans Island.  There is a seafood restaurant, which operates during the summer (Lunts), a public dock, restrooms, one room school house, library and museum.  Perimeter, center, and spur trails will easily fill an entire day.  Experience mossy woods with extensive board walks, and dramatic unique geological headlands forming deep coves.  Be prepared with appropriate footwear, given isolated wet sections.

Trail map.

Castine is a picturesque New England town preserved in time as it was in the 19th century.  The town features several museums and the expansive Maine Maritime Academy campus.  The active waterfront has a public dock and fuel at the adjoining boat yard.  Historical fortifications date to the war of 1812 and a lighthouse marks the harbor entrance.  Castine is worth visiting to see how wonderful preservation on a large scale is possible and desirable.  

Castine architectural map.  Comprehensive map page.

Rockport lies between Rockland and Camden.  There is a large shoreside park with an extensive public dock with remnants of historic lime kilns.  A short walk into the small town accesses restaurants and the Ralston Photography gallery.

Camden is a scenic and busy harbor with a yacht club, shipyards, and a public dock.  The busy downtown has many restaurants and upscale shops.

Belfast lies near the top of Penobscot bay and offers an historic downtown street with various shops business, and restaurants.  The Front Street Shipyard can haul and repair personal yachts to large ocean going commercial vessels.  There is a harbor walk leading to a bridge across the river.