A Private Peninsula at the End of Small Point
Hermit Island is not really an island. It is a 255-acre wooded peninsula at the tip of Small Point in Phippsburg, joined to the mainland by a narrow sand spit. The whole property is privately owned and run as a campground, and the beaches that ring it are some of the prettiest in the midcoast. We love this stretch of coast because it pairs sandy coves with rocky headlands, tidepools, and wide open views of the Atlantic, all just down the road from Popham.
Because the land is private, the beaches are not a public park. Most of the shoreline is reserved for registered campers, who get the run of the place for the length of their stay. Day visitors can still get a taste of it at the small day-use area near the gate, but the full sweep of beaches belongs to people staying overnight.
The walking here ranges from soft sand to slick granite ledge, so a good pair of trail shoes and a daypack make the difference between a quick stroll and a full morning of exploring the coves.
The Beaches
Hermit Island has several distinct beaches strung along its edges, each with its own character. The peninsula faces the open ocean on one side and quieter water on the other, so you can pick your conditions depending on the wind and the tide.
Joe’s Head
Joe’s Head is the rocky headland on the eastern side, where granite ledges drop down to the water and small pockets of sand fill the spaces between the rock. It catches the morning sun and the full force of the open Atlantic, which makes for dramatic surf on a windy day. This is the spot for scrambling over rocks, watching the swell roll in, and finding tidepools in the low spots when the water pulls back.
Kelp Cove
Kelp Cove sits in a more sheltered notch in the shoreline, where the water is calmer and the bottom is a mix of sand and stone. As the name suggests, the cove gathers seaweed and kelp, which makes it a rich spot for poking around at low tide. It is a good place to wade and explore with kids when the bigger surf at Joe’s Head feels like too much.
Head Beach
Head Beach is the long sandy beach near the entrance to the peninsula, and it is the one most day visitors get to know. It runs along the spit with soft sand, gentle slope, and a wide view out toward the islands. This is the closest thing Hermit Island has to a classic swimming beach, and it is where the small day-use access is based.
Camping and Day Access
Hermit Island is first and foremost a campground, and that shapes how you visit. Registered campers get full access to the entire peninsula and all of its beaches, along with the trails, the coves, and the quiet spots that most people never see. Sites range from open oceanfront tent spots to shaded sites tucked back in the spruce. The campground is tent and small-trailer oriented, with no big RV hookups, which keeps the feel low-key and old-fashioned.
For people who are not camping, access is limited. There is a small day-use beach near the gate where you can park for a fee and spend a few hours, but the rest of the peninsula is off limits to non-campers. This is private land, so the day-use area is a courtesy rather than a public right of way. If you want the full Hermit Island experience, you need to book a campsite.
The best oceanfront campsites at Hermit Island book up fast, often months in advance. Reservations are taken by phone, not online, which trips up a lot of first-timers. If you have your heart set on a site facing the water, call early in the season and have a few date options ready.
Tidepools and Wildlife
The mix of sand and rock around Hermit Island makes for excellent tidepooling. When the tide drops, the ledges at Joe’s Head and the rocky edges of Kelp Cove reveal pools full of periwinkles, hermit crabs, green crabs, sea stars, and anemones. The kelp beds shelter small fish and shrimp, and the rocks are covered in barnacles and rockweed.
Seabirds work the shoreline through the summer, and you will often see gulls, cormorants, and the occasional osprey overhead. Seals sometimes haul out on the offshore ledges, and on a calm day you can spot them from the headlands. Bring a pair of binoculars if you like to watch the water.
Getting There
Hermit Island is at the very end of Small Point in Phippsburg. From Route 1 in Bath, follow Route 209 south down the Phippsburg peninsula, then turn onto Route 216 toward Small Point. Route 216 runs all the way to the Hermit Island entrance near the tip. The drive from Portland is roughly 65 minutes, and from Bangor it is about two hours.
The road narrows and winds as you get closer to the point, passing camps, tidal marsh, and glimpses of the water. There is no through traffic out here, so the last stretch feels like you are heading to the edge of the map. Cell service is spotty along the lower peninsula, so set your directions before you lose signal.
The Atlantic here is cold even in midsummer, often in the low to mid 50s, and the open-ocean side at Joe’s Head can have strong surf and currents. Watch the tide closely if you explore the rocks or wade in the coves, because the water comes back in faster than people expect. Just as important: most of the peninsula is private and reserved for registered campers. Stick to the day-use area near the gate unless you are staying overnight, and respect the posted boundaries.
When to Visit
Hermit Island is open seasonally, from mid-May through Columbus Day, so it is a summer and early-fall destination. Midsummer brings the warmest water and the best beach weather, though the open ocean stays bracing no matter the month. July and August are the busiest, and that is when oceanfront campsites are hardest to get.
Late summer and early fall are our favorite times here. The crowds thin out after Labor Day, the light turns golden over the water, and the bugs that work the wooded sites earlier in the season ease off. Bring bug spray regardless, because the spruce and the nearby marsh can produce mosquitoes and blackflies on still evenings.
FAQ
Is Hermit Island open to the public?
Not fully. Hermit Island is a private 255-acre campground at the tip of Small Point in Phippsburg. Registered campers get full access to all the beaches and trails. Non-campers can only use a small day-use beach near the gate for a parking fee.
What beaches are on Hermit Island?
The peninsula has several beaches, including Joe's Head, a rocky headland with tidepools and open-ocean surf; Kelp Cove, a sheltered notch good for wading and exploring; and Head Beach, the long sandy beach near the entrance where the day-use access is based.
How much does Hermit Island cost?
There is a day-use and parking fee for the small public beach near the gate. Registered campers pay for their site and get full access to the entire peninsula. Camping reservations are taken by phone, and oceanfront sites book up early.
Can you swim at Hermit Island?
Yes, swimming is possible, especially at Head Beach and the calmer coves. The Atlantic stays cold even in summer, often in the low to mid 50s, and the open-ocean side at Joe's Head can have strong surf, so most visitors wade more than they swim.
Where is Hermit Island and how do you get there?
It sits at the end of Small Point in Phippsburg. From Bath, take Route 209 south down the peninsula, then Route 216 toward Small Point and follow it to the entrance. It is about 65 minutes from Portland and roughly two hours from Bangor. Cell service is spotty.
