Whaleboat Island
Harpswell
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Guidelines
What You Need to Know
- Camp at established campsites (with restrictions)
- Campfires permitted (guidelines below)
- Carry out all trash (see details)
- Keep pets under control
Why we Care
An Island Escape
From expansive sunset views over Casco Bay to catching the migrations of local shore and songbirds, Whaleboat Island is a special place to explore. Ensuring Maine’s largest wild island remains open to future generations means protecting its rugged shoreline, open meadows, and vital nesting habitat.
Features
How to Get There
Whaleboat Island is located west of Harpswell Neck in Casco Bay. The closest public boat ramp is the Mere Point launch in Brunswick, just over 5 miles to the north-northeast. (Please note that as of June 2021 overnight parking is no longer allowed at Mere Point.) A private boat ramp at the Dolphin Marina in Harpswell is also available, roughly one mile to the southeast.
Overnight parking is not allowed without permission of the Brunswick Marine Resource Officer.
Explore the Map
Click on trails and landmarks to learn more about what Whaleboat Island has to offer.
Preserve Details
Property:
Town:
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Accessible:
Field Notes
Getting to Know Whaleboat Island
The Path to Conservation
The island’s former owners protected Whaleboat through the donation of two conservation easements. In 2002, they sold the island to MCHT to ensure it would remain an undeveloped island and be open to the public in perpetuity. MCHT was able to purchase the entire 122-acre island thanks to generous donations from area residents and support from the state’s Land for Maine’s Future program.
On the Island
A grassy meadow and dense shrubland separate wind-ravaged spruce forest at either end of the island. The island’s uplands are bordered by cobble beaches, fringing salt marsh, ledges, and dramatic cliffs. There are no trails on the island, but hikers can follow the rocky shoreline during low tide.
Stories from Southern Maine
Deepening Our Connections to Nature and One Another
Our stories remind us why we commit ourselves to the work of conservation. Here in Maine, nature is still big and bold enough to remind us that we are part of it. We want to make sure this remains true.
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healthy, open lands & waters
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More Information on Whaleboat Island
Camping on the Island
Camping is only permitted at the established sites on the island and stays are limited to two nights.
The Sites:
Meadow. Located just inland from a shallow cove on the southeastern shore, the Meadow is a beautiful place to picnic or camp in the open. If it is windy or rainy, this site offers no protection, and there is little privacy from other visitors. Small boats can land on the gravel beach in the cove at mid-high tide, and larger boats will need to anchor just outside the cove. Please note that the cove is exposed to southern winds, the bottom drops off quickly, and there are ledges to look out for–take care on a breezy day.
Northern Site. Nestled in the woods along the northwestern shore, just north and inland from the red #2 channel marker, the Northern Site is mostly forested and offers a fire pit and a few grassy patches for campers to set up tents.
Group site (reservation only). Located a little farther north along the shore from the Northern Site, just inland from a subtle dogleg in the shoreline. There is anchorage just north of an all-tide gravel beach. This site is best suited for commercially guided groups. This Group Site offers 5-6 private places to set up tents (though the ground is a little uneven in places). You can reserve this site online.
By permission only:
- Meadow site, groups larger than 10
- Northern site, groups larger than 6
Commercial use by permit only. Please call 207-729-7366.
Campfires on the Island
Fires are allowed by permit only—Maine State Law. For a permit, visit wardensreport.com.
Fire Guidelines:
- Keep all fires below high tide line (with the exception of the fire pit at the northern camp site)
- Do not cut or break tree limbs, dead or alive
- Leave no fire unattended
- Completely extinguish all fires
Help Us Take Care of the Preserve
This preserve belongs to all of us; that’s why it’s important to leave as little trace as possible when you visit.
To do that, please:
- Carry out all trash
- Carry out all pet waste
- Carry out all human waste (including toilet paper)