City of Eastport, Maine

Eastport is a group of small islands located on the rocky coast about as far north as you can get in Maine. To be clear neighboring Lubec is the most northerly town (municipality), and Eastport is the most northern city. Eastport is over two hours-plus from Bangor and four hours from Portland. Despite being an outlier, there’s much more than meets the eye to this far-flung Maine community.

The rocky fingers that reach far into the Atlantic Ocean give Eastport the deepest natural port on the eastern seaboard. Eastport islands are located in the Bay of Fundy, famous for producing some of the world’s most powerful and extreme tides; the waterfront looks distinctly different depending on the tides. The rising and falling of the sea are also why the harbor remains ice-free year-round. There is a continual exploration of reviving the port given its depth and proximity to European ports (Eastport is a day closer by sea), which would be a boon for the area.

Eastport was built upon its connection to the sea. In 1833 the coastal community was just second to New York as a trading port. By the late 1800s, it had established itself as the center of the sardine industry with smokehouses and canning plants all along the waterfront. Today, Eastport’s economy remains tied to the sea; lobstering, scalloping, and salmon farming are important industries in the community.

Even though Eastport is technically a city, it has the charm and intimacy of a small town, with much to see and do. The downtown area is home to a burgeoning arts scene, with many options for shopping and dining. The undeveloped coastline and surrounding area offer many activities and opportunities to experience Maine’s natural and pristine beauty.

Exploring Eastport Maine

Cobscook Bay surrounds Eastport to the west and Passamaquoddy Bay to the east. From the Eastport Sea Walk, you can look across the channel and see Campobello Island in New Brunswick, Canada.

Along the path is a trio of sculptures—each unique in its own right. The Schoodic International Sculpture Symposium chose Eastport to be part of its sculpture trail, and Nature’s Grace is one of 34 works of art found along the Downeast coast. Also gracing the waterfront walk is Nerida the Mermaid of Eastport, assembled along the Sea Walk (sans seashells) in 2015, after a bit of local seashell hubbub. The final sculpture is a very colorful 12-foot tall (and salty) fisherman clutching a fish erected in 2001 as a prop for the Fox Reality Series, Murder in Small Town X.

The list of museums and historical sites in the area is extensive: Ray’s Mustard Mill was built at the turn of the century to supply the sardine canning industry all up and down the coast with mustard. The traditional mill is owned and operated by 4th generation Mainers, and in 2017 MaineBiz Magazine named Ray’s Mustard as one of the “Top 10 Iconic Maine Products.”

There are several self-guided walking tours that explore local history. And the Tides Institute and Museum of Fine Art, and The Eastport Arts Center cultivate and preserve a dynamic arts community.

Eastport by Boat

You have spectacular views of the ocean and wildlife from anywhere in Eastport—marine life in the Bay of Fundy can be seen from land, but getting out on the water is an experience like no other. A boat excursion in the bay offers plenty of opportunities to see harbor seals, pilot whales, finbacks, humpbacks, orcas, porpoises, puffins, and the hard-to-miss East Quoddy Lighthouse located off the northern tip of Campobello Island—hard to miss because of the distinctive red cross painted on its white tower.

Passamaquoddy Bay is home to Old Sow and the Piglets—Old Sow is the largest whirlpool in the Western Hemisphere. The swirling vortex results from the Bay of Fundy and Passamaquoddy Bay waters colliding on an incoming tide over a 250-foot hill that rises from the ocean floor. Old Sow is the most powerful eddie, and the smaller eddies are the Piglets.

So, how do you get out on the water to see Old Sow and all these other sights? Eastport Windjammers offers whale watching, and fishing tours, a trip on Eastport-Lubec Ferry and is also home to Diver Ed’s Dive-in Theater, an exciting underwater adventure (underwater, only for Ed, we hope) where Diver Ed lets you explore the sea bottom along with him via video. Diver Ed then brings up the critters he’s collected and displays them in a touch tank before releasing them back to their watery home. With so many delightful opportunities to explore the Bay of Fundy by boat, why wouldn’t you hop on a cruise and see the sea?

The Historic Shopping District

The great-granddaddy of all ship chandleries is right downtown on Water Street. S. L. Wadsworth & Son, Inc. is the nation’s oldest chandlery, established in 1818, and has been family-run for six generations, and has hardware and home items and gifts.

The Border Historical Society and Quoddy Crafts is your one-stop shop for locally made arts and crafts and local history. Sate your sweet tooth, step into a haven of heavenly delights at Sweeties Downeast, and experience a “confectionery wonderland.” You’ll find it difficult to leave David Oja’s The Bazaar without making a purchase—the Bazaar has everything from wine to apparel to jewelry (David Oja’s Designs)—and the shop is a colorful sensory experience.

Full Fathom Five, Eastport Breakwater Gallery, and Eastern Maine Images are but a few of the many art galleries on Water street and are a testament to the thriving (and ever-expanding) art scene.

A trip Downeast wouldn’t be complete without a taste of what makes Maine famous—lobster—and there are many excellent eateries that can whip you up with a lobster roll or steamed lobster dinner. The Happy Crab, and the oldest dinner in Maine, The Waco Diner, serve up seafood selections (including lobster) sit-down style. If you are looking for a quick bite, don’t miss Rosie’s Hot Dogs in the yellow building along the waterfront. Rosie’s has an uncomplicated menu with great dogs, but be sure to bring cash; they don’t take cards.

Bocephus (seasonal) on Water Street has subs, salads, lobster, and crab rolls that you can grab on the go. The recently established Horn Run Brewing along the waterfront is your go-to for locally-crafted microbrews.

There’s so much more about Eastport that makes it an interesting and exciting place to live or visit; this is just a smattering of what makes Eastport a unique location along the coast of Maine.

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