North Haven Island

The Quieter Fox Island

North Haven and Vinalhaven are the two Fox Islands, separated by the narrow Fox Islands Thoroughfare. Where Vinalhaven is large, rugged, and defined by its granite quarries and lobster fleet, North Haven is smaller, gentler, and shaped by a century-long tradition as a summer colony. The year-round population is about 400, but the island’s character is defined as much by the families who return every summer as by the year-rounders who stay through the winter.

The ferry from Rockland takes 70 minutes and passes through the Thoroughfare between the two islands, one of the prettiest channels on the Maine coast. Lobster boats, sailboats, and the occasional windjammer share the narrow passage. You arrive at the town dock in North Haven village, a tiny cluster of buildings around a harbor that looks much as it did a century ago.

North Haven Village

The village is the island’s center of gravity. It has a general store (Waterman’s, the social hub of the island), a library, a church, and a handful of other buildings. The mood is quiet and understated. There are no souvenir shops, no tourist traps, and no one trying to sell you anything. This is a community that exists for itself, not for visitors, and that is part of its appeal.

The Nebo Lodge, an inn and restaurant on the main road, is the primary dining option for visitors. The restaurant serves locally sourced meals and is open to the public by reservation. It has earned a reputation that exceeds the island’s size.

North Haven Brewing Company

North Haven Brewing Company opened in 2016 in the historic Calderwood Hall building on Iron Point Road. Founded by siblings Ben and Elizabeth Lovell and lifelong islander Jesse Davisson, the brewery produces small-batch craft beers. The taproom is open to the public during the summer season and is a gathering spot for both year-rounders and summer residents.

Drinking a beer brewed on a Penobscot Bay island, looking out at the harbor, is one of the simple pleasures of a North Haven visit.

Waterman’s Community Center

Waterman’s Community Center, at 12 Main Street in the village, is the island’s cultural heart. Opened in 2004, the center includes a 134-seat theater, gallery space, a coffee shop, classrooms, and meeting rooms. It hosts concerts, film screenings, art exhibits, theater productions, and community events throughout the year.

The center is named in honor of the families who have defined the island’s culture for generations. It is open to visitors during events and is worth checking the schedule for if you are planning a trip.

Exploring the Island

North Haven is roughly 8 miles long and 3 miles wide. The roads are quiet and well-suited for cycling or driving. A car is helpful for seeing the full island, but a bicycle works if you are comfortable with gentle hills and a few miles of riding.

The island’s landscape is a mix of hayfields, spruce forest, rocky coves, and views across Penobscot Bay. Mullins Head Park, on the southeastern shore, offers walking trails through forest to rocky headlands with views of the Thoroughfare, Vinalhaven, and the open bay.

The island’s summer colony tradition means that many of the most scenic shoreline parcels are private. Respect posted signs and stay on public roads and trails.

Getting There

The Maine State Ferry Service operates from Rockland to North Haven. The crossing is 12.5 miles and takes approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes. Three daily departures run year-round, typically at 9:30 AM, 2:20 PM, and 5:15 PM from Rockland. Check the current schedule as times shift seasonally.

Peak-season fares (June through September) are approximately $18 round trip per adult. Vehicle reservations should be booked well in advance for summer travel. Call the Rockland terminal at (207) 596-5400. Walk-on passengers can generally board without a reservation.

When to Go

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