Monhegan Island, Maine - Monhegan Map

Scenic, rustic, and historical, Monhegan Island, Maine is located approximately 10 miles offshore of Maine's midcoast.

The island, much of it uninhabited, is 1.7 miles long and 0.7 miles wide and for decades has been one of the most popular Maine tourist attractions and vacation spots, with thousands of artists, birders, hikers, and other nature lovers visiting annually.

The plentiful Atlantic waters surrounding Monhegan Island, attracted European fisherman as early as 1497.

In later years, beginning in the 19th century, artists began to spend extended periods of time on the island, drawn by its tranquility and natural beauty.

Today, Monhegan Island, Maine is not only a place for a serene respite for artists, and tourists alike, but is also home to a small community of year round dwellers, many of whom are fisherman - lobstermen in particular.

How to Get to Monhegan Island, Maine

You will not find cars on Monhegan Island, as a matter fact, you won't find any paved roads. Your only access to the island is going to be by boat.

Several ferries make the run out to the island on a regular basis, departing from three locations, Boothbay Harbor, New Harbor and Port Clyde.

Boothbay Harbor to Monhegan Island, Maine
The Balmy Days II
207-633-2284
www.balmydayscruises.com

New Harbor to Monhegan Island, Maine
The Hardy III
207-677-2026, 800-278-3346
www.hardyboat.com

Port Clyde to Monhegan Island, Maine
Monhegan Boat Line - Laura B and the Elizabeth Ann
Servicing the island for nearly 100 years, the only year round ferry.
207-372-8848
www.monheganboat.com

Cruising to Monhegan Island on your own boat...

Monhegan has a small harbor where guest moorings may be available. You can contact the Monhegan Island harbor master to see if one of these moorings, or other anchorage, is temporarily available.

Monhegan Island also has a town dock, but a few words of caution if you are planning on using it...

Don't have your boat tied up at the dock when a ferry is due to arrive AND don't leave your boat unattended! Also, as you secure your lines, be mindful of a possible 11 foot tide.

You may also be interested in:
Monhegan Island Hotels
Monhegan Island Light
Monhegan Trail Map

Monhegan Island, Maine Attractions

As you make your way around Monhegan Island you are asked to comply with a "carry in and carry out policy". You will not find city garbage trucks here, leaving each visitor responsible for their own debris.

Although much of the island has electricity, there are few pay phones available and cell phone service may be non-existent.

After all, Monhegan Island, Maine...

...embraces a simpler way of life. However, there is plenty of exploring to do on this peaceful island...

Walking and Hiking Monhegan Map

There is an extensive network of walking and hiking trails on the island, easily viewed on this Monhegan, Maine map, provided by Monhegan Associates - a land trust organization formed to protect the lands of Monhegan in perpetuity.

Monhegan Associates now owns nearly 480 acres of land, nearly two-thirds of the island. This land is undeveloped with the exception of miles of hiking trails to which the public has access.

As you will see on the Monhegan map, trails are rated by level of difficulty and those that are most appropriate for short-term visitors are well marked.

Although the online version of the map is a useful reference prior to your trip, a printed version will be most helpful before beginning your hike. For a nominal fee you should be able to purchase one at the ticket booths of the Monhegan Boat, the Hardy Boat, and the Balmy Days, and at various shops and trail boxes on the island.

Go prepared. These trails DO NOT offer bathrooms, or water stations, and many are narrow and rocky.

Fairy houses of Monhegan Island - As you hike the trails, especially in Cathedral Woods, keep your eyes open for the unique "fairy houses" hidden within the forests. Construction of these tiny houses, built from moss, branches, rocks and other objects, has been a long standing tradition among local children AND adults. However, so as to better preserve the Monhegan forests their construction is now discouraged.

Should you stumble upon one of the fairy houses, the locals ask that you treat them well by not touching them or trying to add to them.

Birding - Monhegan Island, Maine is located on the Atlantic flyway. Birders can hope to spot as many as 100 species as the birds traverse their semi-annual route, many of them making at least a brief stopover on the island. Lobster Cove, on the island's southern tip, is one of the favorite places for bird watching, particularly for spotting shore birds.

According to one visitor's report you may spot Blue-Winged Teal, Osprey, American Kestrel, Ring-Necked Pheasant...

...Peregrine Falcon, Yellow-Billed Cuckoo, Laughing Gull, Red-Bellied Woodpecker, Cedar Waxwing, Solitary Vireo, Ruby Throated Hummingbird, and various species of Warblers. The list goes on and on.

Several out-of-state tours visit the island seasonally to view the birds, as they migrate. If you're planning an overnighter at that time of year, you may want to book well in advance.

Monhegan Museum and Monhegan Island Light - Located on Lighthouse Hill, the highest point on Monhegan Island, and rising 47 feet is Monhegan Light . Although the tower is not accessible to the public, the site offers spectacular views of Monhegan Village, Monhegan Harbor, Manana Island, and the mainland.

On the same site as the Monhegan Island Lighthouse is the keeper's house, which houses the Monhegan Museum, offering a wide variety of exhibits relevant to the social, natural, cultural, and artistic history of the island.

Monhegan art galleries and studios - Monhegan Island is scattered with artists' studios and galleries, many of them opening their doors to visitors. While exploring the island, you are likely to come across the popular Lupine Gallery, at the end of Wharf Hill Road, where original watercolors and reproductions are on display. If you have an artist's flair, you can purchase supplies while visiting the gallery.

You can usually find a listing of gallery hours posted on the Rope Shed, and other bulletin boards around the island, where you are also likely to find postings of articles for sale, lost and found items, and general island announcements.

Swimming - If there is a safe place to swim on Monhegan Island, Maine it is a small beach called Swim Beach. But beware, the Atlantic Ocean is very cold that far north, and strong tides run through the area. It is best to only swim when someone is with you.

Manana Island - Forming part of Monhegan's Harbor is Manana Island, approximately three-quarters of a mile long and a half mile wide. You can access the island by your own dingy, or if you're lucky, you may be able to arrange transportation to the island through the owner of one of the island's inns.

Monhegan Island, Maine Lodging and Dining

Monhegan rentals...

You have some great choices for lodging on Monhegan Island. Choose a bed and breakfast, a small cottage, a studio apartment, a summer rental house, or a room at an island inn. At many of these it will be easy to capture the rustic ambiance of the island.

Because the number of rooms on the island is limited you will want to make your plans well ahead of time - long before you step off the ferry!

...Rent the perfect vacation home at HomeAway.com with a Monhegan Island, Maine efficiency apartment ($685-$795/week) or a private island home for $1,900-$2,200 per week.

Monhegan Dining...

Whether visiting Monhegan for the day, or a week, you will easily find a variety of dining options.

In the village center is The Monhegan Store, with a deli, groceries, and beer and wine.

The Novelty, a wireless hotspot located at the base of Horn's Hill, has generous offerings of take-out items, as does the Carina, located behind the Island Inn.

At the Novel-TOO, an Internet cafe at Fish and Maine, and the Barnacle Cafe and Gifts, on the wharf, you can eat in or take out, your choice.

Local seafood, as well as grilled and roasted meats are served for lunch and dinner at the Island Inn.

And, not to be overlooked when you are visiting Monhegan Island, Maine, Fish House Fish, overlooking the harbor on Fish Beach, with its fresh fish, lobsters, lobster rolls, and homemade stews and chowders.