Cliff Island

The Last Stop Down the Bay

Cliff Island is the outermost year-round island served by Casco Bay Lines, the last stop on the “down the bay” run from Portland. It sits roughly six miles offshore, farther out than Peaks, Diamond, Long, or Chebeague. It is also the smallest year-round island in Casco Bay, with about 60 people who live here through the winter and a summer population that grows to nearly 200.

What makes Cliff Island distinctive, even among the Casco Bay islands, is what it does not have. There are no paved roads. No store. No restaurant. No harbor in the traditional sense, just a dock and a handful of moorings. The roads are unpaved tracks winding through spruce and oak. A few cars and trucks exist on the island, but most people get around on foot, by bicycle, or by golf cart. The whole place feels several decades removed from the mainland, which is precisely the point.

The ferry ride from Portland takes 60 to 120 minutes depending on the route and the number of stops the boat makes at other islands. The ride itself is the trip, threading through the inner and middle bay islands before reaching Cliff at the end of the line.

Walking the Island

Cliff Island is small, roughly one mile long and a half mile wide at its widest. You can walk the entire road network in about an hour. The unpaved roads pass through mixed forest, past weathered cottages, and along stretches of rocky shoreline. There are no marked trails, but the roads and informal paths lead everywhere you want to go.

The southern and eastern shores have rocky ledges and coves where you can sit and watch the open bay. The western side looks back toward the other Casco Bay islands and the mainland. On a clear day, the view from Cliff encompasses the full sweep of the bay.

A Fishing Community

Cliff Island is a working fishing community. Lobster traps are stacked near the dock, skiffs are hauled up on the shore, and the economy of the year-round community revolves around the fishery. The island’s handful of commercial fishermen head out early and return by afternoon.

The summer community is a mix of long-time seasonal families and newer arrivals. There is a strong sense of community identity and a shared commitment to keeping the island habitable year-round. The volunteer fire department, the island association, and the informal networks of neighborliness are what make year-round island life possible.

Getting There

Casco Bay Lines operates the ferry from 56 Commercial Street in Portland. Cliff Island is the last stop on the down-bay route. Five round trips run daily year-round. The crossing takes 60 to 120 minutes depending on how many other islands the boat stops at on the way.

Peak-season adult fares are approximately $16 round trip. Off-peak fares are approximately $8.50. All fares are collected at boarding in Portland.

The schedule can be complex, as the boat serves multiple islands. Check the Cliff Island schedule specifically and plan your outbound and return times before you go.

When to Go

Practical Notes

Bring everything you need. There is no store, no restaurant, no water fountain, and no restroom available to visitors on Cliff Island. Pack food, water, sunscreen, rain gear, and anything else you will need for your visit.

Cell service is spotty. Do not rely on it for ferry schedules.

The unpaved roads can be muddy after rain. Wear shoes you do not mind getting dirty.

Respect the residential character of the island. Stay on roads and public paths. Do not walk across private property.

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