The islands in Maine are some of the most magical places in New England. There are more offshore islands in the Pine Tree State than anywhere else in the United States. In fact, there are more than 4 600 of these off the state's coast, according to the records of the Maine State Planning Office.
What caused these geographical features to form was what in geology circles is called a drowned coast. About 25 000 years ago the last ice age came to an end and glaciers started to melt. This caused sea levels to rise and submerge much of the land. The isles that you can see today used to be mountaintops.
Many of these are really just rocky outcrops inhabited by marine life. Sometimes they also harbor a lighthouse. Only about 1 200 cover an area of more than one acre.
Furthermore, people inhabit only 41 of these isles. Often they live here only for the duration of their summer vacation before going back to the mainland. There are some small communities, however, that live here all year round. These are divided into three main geographical groups.
Isle Au Haut, Eastport on Moose Island, Frenchboro, Great Cranberry, Little Cranberry and Swan's Island form part of Down East and Acadia. Eastport is the city furthest east in America and is a shipping port. If you love lobster, you should head out to Frenchboro for the Frenchboro Lobster Festival, which is held every year. There are twelve islands in this community. Little Cranberry is also called Islesford and forms part of the Cranberry Isles, of which there are five. For the annual Sweet Chariot Music Festival, you can make your way to Swan's Island.
The Casco Bay Islands are located near Portland and many of these communities are actually part of greater Portland. They include Cliff, Great Diamond, Peaks and Long Island. Great Chebeague is a separate community while Cousins Island forms part of Yarmouth on the mainland.
Mid-coast Penobscot Bay is home to communities like Islesboro, Monhegan, Matinicus, Vinalhaven and North Haven. Another community in this area is Criehaven, which is the furthest offshore of all East Coast communities. Harpswell has an offshore suburb called Bayley.
Some of these communities are connected to the mainland by bridge. However, most are accessible only by ferry or water taxi. If you have your own private yacht or if you can get a ride on one, getting to any of these locations will not be a problem either. Transport once you're in one of these communities is easy too. Some of them are so small that there are no cars and you can easily get by on bicycle or golf cart. Alternatively, you can hoof it.
You can also get to these places with the help of the Maine Island Trail. Since 1988 this has been a way for travelers to get from the mainland to their ideal camping or hiking spot in one of about 150 offshore locales, whether it is an inhabited one or not. It is the largest water trail in the country, stretching from Cape Porpoise Harbor in the vicinity of Kennebunkport all the way to Machias. It also continues on to places in Canada's New Brunswick.
About 600 of the islands in Maine are privately owned. You can in fact buy your own private haven if you have some money to spare. Realtors in the state will be happy to help find you your dream refuge away from it all.
What caused these geographical features to form was what in geology circles is called a drowned coast. About 25 000 years ago the last ice age came to an end and glaciers started to melt. This caused sea levels to rise and submerge much of the land. The isles that you can see today used to be mountaintops.
Many of these are really just rocky outcrops inhabited by marine life. Sometimes they also harbor a lighthouse. Only about 1 200 cover an area of more than one acre.
Furthermore, people inhabit only 41 of these isles. Often they live here only for the duration of their summer vacation before going back to the mainland. There are some small communities, however, that live here all year round. These are divided into three main geographical groups.
Isle Au Haut, Eastport on Moose Island, Frenchboro, Great Cranberry, Little Cranberry and Swan's Island form part of Down East and Acadia. Eastport is the city furthest east in America and is a shipping port. If you love lobster, you should head out to Frenchboro for the Frenchboro Lobster Festival, which is held every year. There are twelve islands in this community. Little Cranberry is also called Islesford and forms part of the Cranberry Isles, of which there are five. For the annual Sweet Chariot Music Festival, you can make your way to Swan's Island.
The Casco Bay Islands are located near Portland and many of these communities are actually part of greater Portland. They include Cliff, Great Diamond, Peaks and Long Island. Great Chebeague is a separate community while Cousins Island forms part of Yarmouth on the mainland.
Mid-coast Penobscot Bay is home to communities like Islesboro, Monhegan, Matinicus, Vinalhaven and North Haven. Another community in this area is Criehaven, which is the furthest offshore of all East Coast communities. Harpswell has an offshore suburb called Bayley.
Some of these communities are connected to the mainland by bridge. However, most are accessible only by ferry or water taxi. If you have your own private yacht or if you can get a ride on one, getting to any of these locations will not be a problem either. Transport once you're in one of these communities is easy too. Some of them are so small that there are no cars and you can easily get by on bicycle or golf cart. Alternatively, you can hoof it.
You can also get to these places with the help of the Maine Island Trail. Since 1988 this has been a way for travelers to get from the mainland to their ideal camping or hiking spot in one of about 150 offshore locales, whether it is an inhabited one or not. It is the largest water trail in the country, stretching from Cape Porpoise Harbor in the vicinity of Kennebunkport all the way to Machias. It also continues on to places in Canada's New Brunswick.
About 600 of the islands in Maine are privately owned. You can in fact buy your own private haven if you have some money to spare. Realtors in the state will be happy to help find you your dream refuge away from it all.
About the Author:
You can visit the website www.maineislandliving.net/ for more helpful information about The Magic Of The Islands In Maine
