Town of Swan’s Island, Maine

Accessible only by a 30-minute ferry ride out of Bass Harbor in Acadia National Park, the town of Swan’s Island has been described by many as a retreat from the typical idea of what a vacation should be: Rather than expecting to be entertained, you find ways to entertain yourself.

A small community off the southern coast of Acadia, Swan’s Island has a year-round population of less than 400, although this number nearly doubles in the summer with folks looking to escape the frenetic in-season pace of coastal Maine. With no restaurants, only one hotel, and a solitary general store/take-out spot, Swan’s Island makes up for its lack of commercial amenities with its promise of fresh air, open space, friendly faces, and views to die for.

Exploring Swan’s Island, Maine

Before you drive onto the ferry, though (most of the things to do are a few miles from the terminal, so we recommend taking your car), make sure you give the cheerful folks at The Harbor Watch Inn a call and book one of their five lodging options. All offer either kitchenettes or a full kitchen (which is essential when there are no eateries on-island), sleeping for four, free wi-fi, and separate entrances. And while there are no televisions, feel free to pull up a chair to any of the windows in your room and stare at the breathtaking views for as long as you want.

Places to See and Shop

After you check-in, head over to The Island Market and Supply (or TIMS, to the locals) to stock up on groceries—deli meats, canned goods, snacks, fresh lobsters, even sandwiches and pizza at their take-out trailer—but TIMS is far more than a grocery store. And if they don’t have what you need, just ask—because they’ll do their best to get what you need within 24 hours. Customer service doesn’t get much better than that!

By the way, if you don’t have any luck booking a room at The Harbor Watch, there are rental options—including an off-the-grid tiny house—most of which can be found on the town’s webpage.

A unique lodging option also happens to be at one of the island’s most popular attraction: The Burnt Coat Harbor Lighthouse on Hockamock Head features a Keeper’s House Apartment.

This adorable gem sleeps 2, has a full kitchen, and has amazing views—day or night, rain or shine. The lighthouse itself is one of four historical buildings on the grounds, two of which—the Keeper’s House and the Light Tower—are open to the public from late June through early September (the Bell House and Oil House are currently closed and slated for restoration).

Outdoor Activities on Swan’s Island

The Keeper’s House is where you can pick up a trail map and chat with the friendly manager; you can also purchase a few souvenirs and peruse the historical displays and art gallery. The grounds are surrounded by a 20-acre park which includes just under 2 miles of marked trails, two of which lead to public-access beaches.

The trail to Long Point Beach (a cobble beach) offers spectacular ocean views and meets up with an ADA accessible trail; most of the trail at Burying Point lies beneath a forest canopy, and hikers are often treated to sightings of eagles, osprey, and other coastal birds of prey.

Swan’s Island also has two other public-access beaches; Carrying Place Beach is the only one easily accessible by car and features great views of Mt. Desert Island from its narrow, sandy swath. Fine Sand Beach is the pride of the island and requires a half-mile hike from the parking area—but the soft sand and tropical-looking waters (don’t let it fool you, though—this is Maine, after all) make the trek worth it.

Much like many other coastal areas in the state, Swan’s Island is also home to a defunct granite quarry, where folks enjoy swimming in the comparably-tepid waters trapped in its depths. Baird’s Quarry (locally known as the Quarry Pond) is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike and is the perfect choice for a picnic on a hot summer’s day. For a closer look at the island’s trails and beaches, download this printable island map.

If you are traveling with children, a great spot to spend a few hours on a sunny day is Mill Pond Park. This wonderful 800’ swath of oceanfront public property looks out across Burnt Coat Harbor and has a picnic area, gardens, several grills, and a playscape.

A pleasant and fascinating way to spend a less-than-ideal-weather type of day is at the Swan’s Island Lobster and Marine Museum, where you can become immersed in the storied maritime history of both the town and its residents that depended solely upon the sea for their survival.

If you’re planning on being here for a while, perhaps consider looking into reserving a spot on one of the Swan’s Island Charters tours. Choose from one of their two private lobster charters, a puffin tour, or an all-day Acadia National Park tour; no matter which you go with, it’ll surely be a memory to last a lifetime.

If you’re sick of being overstressed, overstimulated, and overwhelmed by options, give Swan’s Island a try. Enjoy the simple pleasures of making do with what you’ve got and having very few decisions to make; you just may realize that this is the type of vacation you’ve been craving all along.

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