10 Islands in Maine That You Shouldn't Miss

April 12, 2022 Mollie Coke

Maine has several unique regions, each with its own distinctive culture and activities. With miles of coastline, thousands of lakes, endless rivers and deep forests, visitors can find their perfect vacation spot, whether it's on a sandy beach, at a family campground or walking along Main Street in a bustling city or town. Maine is also known for abundant outdoor recreation opportunities in all four seasons, from swimming and boating in the warmer months to excellent skiing in the winter.
Restaurants in Maine

1. Machias Seal Island

Jonesport, ME +1 207-259-4484 http://www.boldcoast.com
Excellent
88%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 34 reviews

Machias Seal Island

Protected habitat for many bird species.

2. Mount Desert Island

Bar Harbor, Mount Desert Island, ME 04609 +1 207-288-5005 http://www.barharborinfo.com
Excellent
89%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,891 reviews

Mount Desert Island

Home to Acadia National Park, this island off the coast of Maine with its beaches, sweeping cliffs and mountains offers visitors numerous recreational activities, from hiking, biking and following nature trails to swimming, sailing and kayaking.

Reviewed By mikey605 - Sevierville, United States

So much to see and do on Mount Desert Island! Acadia National Park, Whale Watching, Scenic Charters and Tours, Beaches, Shops, Golf, Hiking, Biking, Sea Kayaking, Plane rides, glider rides, helicopter flights, mini golf, if you want to do it you will find it on MDI

3. Seguin Island and Lighthouse

72 Front St #3, Bath, Bath, ME 04530-0866 +1 207-443-4808 http://www.seguinisland.org/
Excellent
89%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 35 reviews

Seguin Island and Lighthouse

An island off of the mouth of the Kennebec River, Seguin has the tallest lighthouse in Maine which is also one of the oldest in the United States.

Reviewed By lindymae

You get everything - A rustic dock, historic fort, laid-back locals, a beautiful boat ride, hiking on an island, lighthouse tour, and picnic lunch opportunities with spectacular views. (There were even a wild blackberry or two to pop in my mouth.) If you only have one day in Maine (which would be a shame) you can't beat this trip. Make reservations ahead. I called 24 hours before and got the last two seats (cash only, pay on the boat.) There is no sign on the dock at Popham to indicate this is where the boat will meet you, but if you are parked next to the historic fort, you are in the right spot. (There is a portapotty next to fort if you need it before getting on the boat.) To top off your Maine experience stop by Anna's Water's Edge Restaurant on your way home (10 minutes away.) It's a rustic, hidden gem.

4. Beals Island

ME http://maineanencyclopedia.com/beals-island
Excellent
89%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 9 reviews

Beals Island

5. Damariscove Island

Boothbay Harbor, ME
Excellent
95%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 19 reviews

Damariscove Island

One of the nation's earliest settlement sites.

6. Hog Island

ME +1 843-340-8673 http://www.maineaudubon.org/explore/centers/hogisle.shtml
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 8 reviews

Hog Island

7. Cabbage Island

Linekin Bay, Boothbay Harbor, ME +1 207-633-7200 http://www.cabbageislandclambakes.com
Excellent
85%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 463 reviews

Cabbage Island

Reviewed By TigerGirl0

Traveling in the time of covid means staying flexible, lowering the bar a bit, and remembering that everyone (with a few exceptions) are trying their best to keep things afloat. This Clambake is a long-standing summer tradition for my family, and when I found out we'd be able to still ship out on the Bennie Alice this summer even though the pandemic is on, I was purely thrilled. Wondering what to expect, given how much trouble places are having with the staffing, but figuring that several hours on Cabbage Island would be great no matter how the Clambake went. Happy to say that if it hadn't been for everyone wearing masks on the boat (absolutely required, no arguments) and inside the building, I'd never have known anything at all was amiss. The family was just as friendly - and the matriarch was even there as usual, to greet us all as we came off the boat - as ever. The food was just as great as ever, the island was just as beautiful as ever, the cruise (even with masks) was just as nice as ever. And everyone was taking the infection control seriously and behaving responsibly (without getting nutty and weird), so no worries on that front. This Clambake is always an amazing event, which is why so many people make it an annual tradition, and this year it also gave us the gift of briefly forgetting about all of this crazy stuff, and just being able to relax and not worry about any problems bigger than how to keep stains off our t-shirts. Lovely. Would absolutely recommend!

8. Great Wass Island Preserve

Station Rd, Beals, ME +1 207-729-5181 http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/maine/placesweprotect/great-wass-island.xml
Excellent
84%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 32 reviews

Great Wass Island Preserve

Reviewed By 852philipg - Livingston, United States

We hiked the 5.5-mile loop consisting of the Little Cape Point Trail, shoreline, and the Mud Hole Trail. It was quite a workout, especially the 2-mile section up the shoreline, but it was very enjoyable.

9. Swan Island Wildlife Management Area

332 Front St, Richmond, ME 04357-1241 +1 207-592-5050 [email protected] http://www.maine.gov/swanisland
Excellent
87%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 15 reviews

Swan Island Wildlife Management Area

Swan Island welcomes hikers, campers, birders, anglers, wildlife watchers and explorers to its shores for an unforgettable Maine experience. Visitors may immerse themselves in history, surround themselves in nature and discover abundant wildlife. There is a kids-only trout fishing pond, a wildlife viewing tower and special food plots for wildlife.

10. Swans Island

Bass Harbor, Tremont, Mount Desert Island, ME http://www.burntcoatharborlight.com
Excellent
60%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 25 reviews

Swans Island

Take a local ferry to this small island, which makes a nice day or half-day destination.

Reviewed By Jeff_In_Lex - Lexington, United States

We took our bikes over for the day from Bass Harbor in early September 2020 and it was the highlight of our week on MDI. The ferry service was easy and we got spectacular views on a nice sunny day; we even passed a pod of porpoises. When we got to the island, the lady at the ferry terminal provided some helpful suggestions for where we should ride our bikes. As we rode along the roads, all of the motorists were courteous and just about all of of them waved to us. We intended to ride to a part of the island to get a view of the lighthouse across the bay, but took a wrong turn and ended up at the lighthouse itself; our wrong turn was a giant stroke of luck. The local historical society appears to have sunk a lot of money into restoring the lighthouse and what used to be the lighthouse keeper's home. We got a fantastic tour by Keith, who I believe is the head of the historical society. After our tour, we rode over to a beach where we ate our (packed) lunch, climbed on some rocks and enjoyed the view. Our nine-year old wasn't up for any more exploring, so we headed back to the ferry terminal, and stopped in the Lobster and Marine Museum for a quick look around before catching the ferry. One word of caution for cyclists: it is a bit hilly, so if you're with kids, be prepared to walk up some of the hills and/or to give them a push on the steeper areas.

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