Lobster at the End of the Road
Route 127 runs the length of Georgetown Island, and when it ends at Five Islands, you have arrived at one of the finest lobster experiences in Maine. The village is barely a village, a wharf, a lobster pound, a scattering of houses, and five spruce-covered islands spread across the mouth of Sheepscot Bay like a painter’s composition. That is the whole place.
Five Islands Lobster Company operates from the wharf, serving lobster pulled from the waters you can see from your picnic table. The lobster boats dock on one side of the wharf. The kitchen and ordering window sit in the middle. The picnic tables line the other side, facing the islands and the bay. The setup is as direct as the food chain gets, the lobster was in the ocean this morning, and now it is on your plate.
But Five Islands is more than a lobster pound. It is a place with a specific atmosphere, the working wharf, the island views, the salt air, the sound of boats and gulls and nothing else. The kind of place you remember not just for what you ate but for how you felt while eating it.
The Lobster Pound
Five Islands Lobster Company is regularly ranked among the best lobster restaurants in Maine, which is remarkable given that it is essentially an outdoor counter-service operation on a dock. The menu is classic Maine seafood: whole steamed lobster, lobster rolls, crab rolls, fried clams, fish and chips, chowder, and a few sides. The lobster rolls are generous and simply dressed. The fried clams are excellent.
You order at the window, find a picnic table, and wait for your number to be called. There is no indoor seating. The tables are on the wharf, exposed to sun, wind, and the occasional gull with ambitions. It is perfect.
The shore dinner, a whole steamed lobster with corn, clam chowder, and blueberry pie, is the full Five Islands experience. Sit at the table closest to the water’s edge, crack your lobster facing the islands, and take your time. This is not a meal to rush.
The lobster pound operates seasonally, typically from late May through mid-October. On summer weekends, the line can stretch from the ordering window to the parking area. Weekday visits and early arrivals avoid the worst of the wait.
Tuesday and Wednesday are the best days to visit. The lobster is just as fresh, the view is the same, and the line is a fraction of the weekend crowd. If you must come on a weekend, arrive right when they open, typically 11am, and you will be seated and eating before the rush builds.
The View
The five islands, Malden, Crow, Mink, Hen, and Georgetown, sit in a loose cluster at the mouth of Sheepscot Bay. They are small, rocky, and covered with dark spruce, and they catch the light differently throughout the day. In the morning, they are silhouettes against the eastern sky. By afternoon, the sun illuminates their western faces. At sunset, they darken again against the changing sky.
From the wharf, you can watch the lobster boats work the waters around the islands, hauling and resetting traps in a rhythm that has not changed fundamentally in over a century. Seals occasionally surface between the islands, and osprey patrol the bay from above.
The public boat launch at Five Islands provides access to the bay for kayakers and small boaters. Paddling among the five islands is a popular outing, with calm waters in the lee of the islands and the chance to explore rocky shorelines and tidal pools up close.
When to Go
Summer
Peak season for the lobster pound and the weather. The wharf is at its most active with boats and diners. Warm enough to linger at the tables. Come early or midweek to avoid lines.
Fall
Fewer crowds, beautiful light, and the lobster is at its best. The pound typically stays open into October. The island views with fall sky are stunning.
Winter
The lobster pound is closed. The wharf and village are quiet. The islands and bay are beautiful in winter light but there are no services.
Spring
The lobster pound opens in late May. Before that, the village is quiet but the boat launch is open for paddlers. Lobster boats are active setting gear for the season.
Practical Notes
Five Islands is at the end of Route 127 on Georgetown Island, about 12 miles south of Route 1 in Woolwich/Bath. The drive from Route 1 takes about 20 minutes through forest and small villages. Parking at the wharf is limited. There is a gravel lot near the lobster pound and some roadside parking. Do not block the working areas of the wharf.
There are no other businesses at Five Islands, no shops, no gas station, no restrooms (the lobster pound has a portable toilet). Bring cash, as some vendors at the wharf may not accept cards.
Five Islands is a working fishing wharf. Lobster boats load and unload at the dock, and fishing gear is everywhere. Stay aware of boat traffic, do not touch traps or gear, and watch children near the water’s edge. The wharf surfaces can be wet and slippery.
FAQ
Is Five Islands Lobster Company worth the drive?
Yes. The combination of excellent lobster, the working wharf setting, and the island views make it one of the finest lobster experiences in Maine. It is regularly ranked among the best lobster restaurants in the state.
When is Five Islands Lobster Company open?
Typically late May through mid-October. Hours vary by season. They are open daily during summer. Check their website or Facebook page for current hours.
Can you kayak at Five Islands?
Yes. There is a public boat launch at the wharf. Kayaking among the five islands is a popular outing with generally calm, protected waters.
How far is Five Islands from Portland?
About 75 minutes by car. Take I-295 to Brunswick, Route 1 to Bath/Woolwich, and Route 127 south through Georgetown Island to the end of the road.
Is there parking at Five Islands?
Parking is limited. A small gravel lot near the lobster pound and some roadside spaces are available. On busy summer weekends, parking fills quickly. Come early or visit midweek.
