Peaks Island sits three miles off Portland in Casco Bay and is reachable by a short commuter-style ferry, making it the easiest low-effort day trip from the city. It has a small year-round community, a loop road good for walking or biking, and remnants of WWII coastal defense structures on its back shore. The appeal is how little planning it takes: you can decide to go in the morning and be back in Portland by dinner.
| Distance | 3 miles offshore from Portland |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 15-minute ferry from Portland |
| Getting there | Walk to Casco Bay Lines terminal at 56 Commercial Street, Portland. Ferry runs every 1–2 hours daily. Bikes can be taken on the ferry ($6.50 extra). Round-trip ferry: $8.50/adult. |
| Address | Casco Bay Lines Terminal, 56 Commercial Street, Portland, ME 04101 |
How to get there
- Mode
- Ferry
- Operator
- Casco Bay Lines
- Cost
- $8.50/adult round-trip
- Duration
- 15 min each way
- Booking
- cascobaylines.com or (207) 774-7871
Location
Casco Bay Lines Terminal, 56 Commercial Street, Portland, ME 04101
43.6560, -70.1921 View on map
Highlights
- Battery Steele - a decommissioned WWII coastal artillery bunker on the island's back shore, now overgrown and open to explore
- Peaks Island loop road - a roughly 4-mile road around the island's perimeter, popular for bike rentals from the ferry landing
- Fifth Maine Regiment Museum - a small Civil War-era museum near the ferry dock in a former veterans' hall
- Brad's Recycled Bike Shop - the island's bike rental spot right by the ferry landing, the easiest way to do the loop