Deer Isle, Maine
Island of artists and lobstermen. A quiet, bridge-connected island with the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, granite quarry swimming holes, lobster boats, and galleries around every bend.
Deer Isle is where Maine's art world and fishing heritage coexist without pretense. The Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, perched on a hillside above Jericho Bay, is one of the most important craft institutions in the world. Down the road, lobstermen haul traps off weathered wharves. Galleries dot the island, old granite quarries offer hidden swimming holes, and the pace is unhurried and deliberate.
Drive slowly and stop often. Deer Isle rewards aimlessness. The roads wind past galleries, old farmsteads, granite quarries, and sudden ocean views. Pull over whenever something catches your eye.
Visit the Haystack campus. The Haystack Mountain School of Crafts offers public tours several times each summer. Even if you cannot get on a tour, the campus architecture, stepping down a forested hillside to Jericho Bay, is worth seeing from the public walkway.
Swim in a quarry. Settlement Quarry on Oceanville Road is a flooded granite quarry surrounded by forest. The water is deep, clear, and cold. The short hike in passes through beautiful woods to the quarry edge. Bring a towel and jump in.
Take the mail boat to Isle au Haut. From Stonington harbor, the mail boat runs to Isle au Haut, where a remote section of Acadia National Park has hiking trails along the shore with almost no one else around. The five lean-to campsites at Duck Harbor are among the most coveted in the national park system.
Buy lobster at the Co-op. The Stonington Lobster Co-op sells lobster straight off the boats at the town wharf. You can buy them live or order steamed lobster and eat on the dock. This is as direct as the Maine lobster experience gets.
Duck Harbor camping on Isle au Haut books months in advance through Recreation.gov. If you miss camping, you can still take the mail boat as a day trip. The boat runs daily in summer and the hiking is spectacular even without an overnight stay.
El El Frijoles in Sargentville, just before the bridge to Deer Isle, is a roadside taqueria that has no business being this good. The burritos and tacos use local fish and produce. There is usually a line, and it is always worth it. Cash or check only.
The Working Waterfront
Stonington, at the southern tip of the island, has the largest lobstering fleet in Maine. The harbor is a working waterfront where lobster boats outnumber pleasure craft. The contrast between the art galleries and the fishing wharves is what makes Deer Isle genuinely interesting rather than merely scenic.
Eggemoggin Reach, the tidal strait between Deer Isle and the mainland, is one of the finest sailing grounds on the Maine coast. Wooden boat enthusiasts gather here each August for the annual Eggemoggin Reach Regatta. Blue Hill is just across the reach and makes a natural companion visit.
How long should I spend on Deer Isle?
Two days minimum. One day for galleries, quarry swimming, and a long lunch. The second day for the Isle au Haut mail boat or sea kayaking. Three days is even better if you want to truly slow down.
Are there groceries on Deer Isle?
The Burnt Cove Market in Stonington and the Island Community Center thrift store have basics. For a full grocery run, Ellsworth is 35 minutes away. Stock up before you cross the bridge.
Is Deer Isle good for kayaking?
Excellent. The island-dotted waters around Deer Isle are among the best sea kayaking in Maine. Old Quarry Ocean Adventures in Stonington rents kayaks and offers guided trips to nearby islands.
What is Eggemoggin Reach?
Eggemoggin Reach is the tidal strait between Deer Isle and the mainland, crossed by the 1939 suspension bridge on Route 15. It is a renowned sailing area and the site of the annual Eggemoggin Reach Regatta.
Spring
April-May. Lobster season gearing up. Galleries starting to open. Quiet and beautiful but services are limited.
Summer
June-August. Galleries, Haystack, and wharves all active. Best weather for kayaking, quarry swimming, and Isle au Haut trips.
Fall
September-early October. Quiet and golden. Many businesses close by mid-October. Beautiful for those who like solitude.
Winter
November-March. The island is very quiet. Most tourist businesses closed. Beautiful in its austerity.
Things to Do
Settlement Quarry
A preserved granite quarry on Oceanville Road with hiking trails and a flooded quarry that serves as a dramatic swimming hole.
Barred Island Preserve
A short hike through spruce forest to a land bridge that connects to a tidal island at low tide, with views of Penobscot Bay.
Isle au Haut / Acadia
Take the mail boat from Stonington to Isle au Haut, where a remote section of Acadia National Park offers secluded trails and camping.
Sea Kayaking
Guided and self-guided kayak trips through the island-dotted waters around Deer Isle, with seals, eagles, and lobster boats for company.
Edgar Tennis Preserve
A 145-acre Island Heritage Trust preserve with easy coastal trails along Jericho Bay and through wildflower meadows.
Where to Eat & Drink
Aragosta
Fine DiningUpscale waterfront restaurant in Stonington's Inn on the Harbor with creative seafood dishes and harbor views.
El El Frijoles
MexicanBeloved roadside taqueria in Sargentville serving fresh, creative Mexican food with local ingredients. Worth any detour.
44 North Coffee
Coffee / CafeIsland coffee roaster with a cafe in Deer Isle village serving specialty coffee and fresh pastries.
Stonington Lobster Co-op
LobsterBuy lobster straight off the boats at the Stonington Co-op wharf. As fresh as it gets anywhere in Maine.
Where to Stay
B&Bs & Inns
(2)Pilgrim's Inn
InnHistoric 1793 inn in Deer Isle village with individually appointed rooms, a taproom restaurant, and gardens overlooking a millpond.
Inn on the Harbor
InnWaterfront inn in Stonington with rooms overlooking the working harbor and fishing fleet.
Campgrounds
(1)Old Quarry Ocean Adventures Campground
CampgroundOceanfront camping and kayak outfitter in Stonington with tent sites on the water and guided island trips.
Events & Festivals
Haystack Open Studio Tours
Periodic public tours of the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts campus, one of the most architecturally stunning sites in Maine.
Stonington Lobster Boat Races
Annual lobster boat races in Stonington Harbor where working boats compete for speed and bragging rights.
Island Heritage Trust Tours
Guided walks and paddles exploring the ecology, history, and geology of Deer Isle's preserved lands.
When to Visit Deer Isle
Spring
Mar - May
30-55F
Lobstermen set traps. Galleries begin to open. Trails can be muddy. Few tourists.
Summer
Jun - Aug
52-75F
Peak season. Galleries, Haystack, and wharves all in full swing. Sea kayaking, quarry swimming, and long island days.
Fall
Sep - Nov
35-62F
Quieter island. Many galleries and restaurants close by mid-October. Beautiful but increasingly solitary.
Winter
Dec - Feb
15-30F
Very quiet. Most tourist businesses closed. The island belongs to lobstermen and year-round residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before visiting Deer Isle. Can't find your answer? Contact us.