Pen Bay Islands

Dream of perfect cruising grounds, of islands large and small, grand and modest, of intriguing harbors and alluring towns, of broad reaches and narrow tickles, of gritty fishing villages and sophisticated summer resorts, of lonely outposts lost in time. There is such a place, and the place is Penobscot Bay.

Against the mountainous backdrop of the Camden Hills to the west, Penobscot Bay spreads 40 miles long and 15 miles wide, graced by more than 200 islands. Between them lie great stretches of open water and small, winding thoroughfares. Along their shores are bustling fishing communities, quaint villages, isolated outports, and uninhabited beauty. This is the heart of cruising in Maine, and some of the best cruising in the world. Four major islands make up the bulk of visitor activity. They are Vinalhaven, North Haven, Islesboro, and Matinicus. Monhegan Island in adjacent Muscongus Bay is also notable because it is the most famous island in Maine.

These major islands along with the numerous smaller (mostly uninhabitated) islands provide protection from the open Atlantic ocean and make Penobscot Bay one of the ten greatest cruising bays in the world. The abundance of inlets, coves, hidden anchorages, picturesque harbors and surrounding islands makes this coastal area of Maine unlike anything else on the Eastern seaboard of the United States. A major share of Maine's more than 3000 miles of coastline as well as a majority of its islands lie in Penobscot Bay and the Midcoast Maine region.

By Boat

You can easily travel from Rockland to the islands of North Haven, Matinicus, and Vinalhaven by using the Maine State Ferry Service located in Rockland. You can reach Islseboro from the Maine State Ferry Service located in Lincolnville Beach. Getting to Monhegan is typically accomplished by water taxi from Port Clyde or New Harbor. Trips to Islesboro take less then 30 minutes by ferry. Trips to North Haven, Vinalhaven and Monhegan average a little over an hour. Trips to Matinicus take more than two hours to reach by ferry or private boat charter and are also less frequently scheduled. Below we have provided a list of boat trips, ferry services, and air service providers to the various islands for your convenience.