Monhegan is a small, car-free island 12 miles off the mid-coast, reachable only by mail boat, with a year-round population of under 100. It has drawn painters for over a century, including Edward Hopper and Jamie Wyeth, because of the contrast between the calm harbor village and the wild, cliff-lined back side of the island facing the open Atlantic. A day trip means committing to the ferry schedule, since the boat only runs a few times a day and there is no bridge or shortcut back.
| Distance | 12 miles offshore; 2 hours drive from Portland, then 70-min ferry |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 70-min ferry + 2h drive from Portland |
| Getting there | Drive to Port Clyde (2h from Portland via US-1 South to Route 131); Monhegan Boat Line ferry departs 10:30, returns 14:45 or 16:15. Book at monheganboat.com or call (207) 372-8848. Round-trip: $42/adult, $22/child 2–11. |
| Cost | $$ |
| Address | Monhegan Boat Line, Port Clyde, ME 04855 |
How to get there
- Mode
- Ferry
- Operator
- Monhegan Boat Line
- Cost
- $42/adult round-trip
- Duration
- 70 min each way
- Booking
- monheganboat.com or (207) 372-8848
Location
Monhegan Boat Line, Port Clyde, ME 04855
43.7649, -69.3145 View on map
Highlights
- Monhegan Museum of Art and History - housed in the old lighthouse keeper's quarters, tracing the island's painting colony
- Cliff-top trails on the island's back shore - the eastern side drops straight into the ocean and is the reason to walk the perimeter
- Monhegan Brewing Co. - a small brewery near the harbor, useful for timing your last hour before the return boat
- Lobster co-op shack on the harbor - buy a lobster roll or steamed lobster right off the boats