I grew up in Maine, but until this summer I had never taken a day trip to Monhegan Island—and I couldn’t believe what I’d been missing. Just 10 miles off the coast, Monhegan is known for its rugged cliffs, lobster pause, artists’ colony, and some of the most breathtaking hikes in New England. After finally hopping on the ferry from Port Clyde, I quickly realized this wasn’t just another coastal destination. A Monhegan Island day trip is raw, wild, and unforgettable, offering a mix of nature, art, and small-town charm you won’t find anywhere else in Midcoast Maine.
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Getting to Monhegan Island, Maine
There are 3 different ferry options to reach the island from Port Clyde, New Harbor, and Boothbay Harbor:
If you want to combine a visit to Marshall Point Lighthouse with your trip to Monhegan, the Monhegan Boat Ferry out of Port Clyde is less than 5 minutes from the ferry landing. This was an obvious choice for me since Marshall Point Lighthouse has been on my Maine bucket list for years!
Marshall Point Lighthouse, as seen in Forrest Gump
From Port Clyde
Monhegan Boat Ferry departs Port Clyde a couple of times a day during the summer months, and is the only year-round ferry service.
Buy tickets as soon as you decide on a date to visit the island. The ferry sells out quickly during peak summer! This actually happened to us – thankfully, we were flexible and able to book the following day. Another option for getting to the island if the Monhegan Boat Line is sold out is to go to the boat landing and put your name on the wait list. The risk here is that you don’t get called onto the ferry, but you can tour the surrounding Port Clyde area and other popular Midcoast Maine towns, such as Rockland (30 minutes) or Camden (40 minutes).
How much it costs to get to Monhegan Island (July 2025)
- $50 per adult round-trip and includes 2 luggage pieces (50 lbs max)
- $10 for parking – buy in advance! Do not wait to secure parking. Arrive 1 hour before departure time. The parking lot fills up and becomes incredibly congested during the summer months.
- $10 per dog round-trip. Monhegan Boat Line and the island are dog-friendly.
The 1-hour ferry cost might seem like a lot, but here’s what you can expect on the ride:
- During peak summer, the ferry will be full but not so full that you won’t find a spot to sit down. Indoor and outdoor seating is available, but I highly recommend securing a spot above deck for the best views of leaving and arriving at Monhegan.
- Breathtaking views of Marshall Point Lighthouse – a bonus to an already incredible day trip!
- Narrated explanation of islands and noteworthy landmarks departing Port Clyde and Monhegan. I’m not sure if this is standard with every ferry ride, but our captain on The Elizabeth Ann was a stellar tour guide.
- Sightseeing for seals, jellyfish, porpoises, and any other sea life that decides to make an appearance on the journey. Our boat got lucky and we had close-up encounters of sunfish, which look like sharks from a distance due to their dorsal fin. The captain made a point of slowing down and even going off course to give passengers a closer look.
- Local island tips from the boat crew!
- The ocean was incredibly calm the day we went to Monhegan Island, so motion sickness wasn’t a factor for my family. The only time you really felt the seas was when the ferry slowed considerably for seal-watching and close-ups of sunfish. However, this can easily change given different weather conditions. Remember, the island is a good 10 miles out to sea!
I had no idea how much sea life we’d see on our way to Monhegan Island. Sightseeing alone was well worth the $50 round-trip ticket.
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First Impressions of Monhegan Island
Simplistic. Speechless. Stunned…in the best way possible.
From the moment the island came into view to the first step on Monhegan Island soil, I knew my day was going to be utterly euphoric. The car-free vibe, sense of isolation, and raw 360 beauty left me speechless. I could barely contain my enthusiasm for even the golf-cart picking up hotel guests.
Golf carts aside, it was spotting a small, vintage-looking sailing vessel in the distance that gave me the “I can’t believe I waited this long” moment.
Simplicity off the coast of Monhegan Island
Best Things to Do on a Monhegan Island Day Trip
1Eat Salty Caramel Blondies at Barnacles Cafe
The first thing to do after departing the boat is to go to Barnacles Cafe. It’s located within steps from the wharf and is an absolute MUST. There’s no better way to start your day than with a locally brewed Monhegan coffee and one of the cafe’s many homemade pastries.
The salty caramel blondie was SOOOO good that I bought 2 more to collect at the end of the day. You can purchase gifts, Monhegan Island coffee, food (including sandwiches perfect for a picnic), beer, and wine, and pick them up at the end of the day before you depart the island. This is highly recommended if you want to take pastries home. Otherwise, they sell out!
2Hike Whitehead to Cliff Trail for Dramatic Cliffside Views
Monhegan has over 9 miles of trails that wind through wooded areas and along the cliffs, hugging the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. To decide what trail to hike, purchase a Monhegan Associates Trail Map during boat check-in at Port Clyde or on the boat for $1. Trails are marked at each end and at junctions with white trail numbers on small green wooden blocks. The markers can blend in with vegetation, so be on the lookout. We were unsure a few times if we were on the right trail!
We originally planned to hike Cliff Trail #1 (difficult) to Blackhead #10 (moderate to difficult) and Whitehead #7 (moderate), but after sharing the plan with a local Monhegan boat crew member, it became clear that it was too aggressive for a day trip. Instead, they recommended Whitehead #7 to Cliff Trail #1, and it was perfect for our active family with teens. The hike is about 3 miles (back to the dock) and takes 2 hours to complete with minimal stopping.
You can start at Lobster Cove or Whitehead from the Village. We chose Whitehead so we could reward ourselves at Monhegan Brewing.
What to look out for during your hike:
- Poison ivy! It’s everywhere along the southern sections of Cliff Trail.
- Nudists relaxing in coves that are moderately accessible, like Gull Cove. This really happened on our hike!
- Artists painting along the rocky coast
- Wildflowers – the island has over 600 varieties
- Birds, harbor seals, and, if you’re lucky, whales offshore!
3Visit Monhegan Lighthouse & Museum
Monhegan Lighthouse & Museum is the 2nd-highest light in Maine, and you’ll feel it in your thighs as you ascend the dirt road leading to this magnificent lighthouse and museum. Loaded with 1300 local art and artifacts collected or donated to the museum over 150 years, you can spend a lot of time catching up on history and the colors that adorn within (the buoy collection was my favorite). While visiting the Museum itself has a fee, the Museum Store is free and sells unique gifts, such as miniature lighthouse needlepoint sets. The Museum Store is also a great place to purchase water as you continue your walk around the island.
4Witness Artists “in their element”
On Monhegan Island, you can witness an artist creating a masterpiece amidst the natural surroundings. For my family, it was a moment of total coolness to be hiking along Cliff Trail and suddenly look up to see an artist propped along the rocky edge, looking out upon the sea with paintbrush in hand. It was a perfectly still moment that made you feel like you just witnessed something incredibly special.
5Explore The Shipwreck at Lobster Cove
Located on the southern rocky coast are the remains of an old tugboat, D.T. Sheridan. Dense fog in 1948 caused the tugboat to run into the rocks, and rusted steel parts remain scattered about Lobster Cove today. Visitors can freely explore, but stay along the path to get there since it borders private property.
6Recharge at Monhegan Brewing
Monhegan Island has its own craft brewery, complete with food trucks and a great outdoor atmosphere. Monhegan Brewery Company is the perfect way to reward yourself after a hike. Get the fried clams and berry seltzer. The tasting room is inside, but tables for nibbling and sipping are outside. Totally kid and dog-friendly.
7Pop Up Porch At Monhegan House
Hard not to miss, the historic Monhegan House exudes all the New England coastal vibes. Its weathered gray siding and large white porch full of rocking chairs are inviting to anyone who visits the island. What makes this inn extra special is its food and community-focused pop-up events held right on the porch. One of the inn’s most sugary pop-ups is an island tradition called Nite Nite Fatty’s, or Fatty Hour on the porch. It’s a dessert bar featuring homemade cakes, pies, cookies, and other sweet treats. Fatty Hour is 6-8 every night of summer until Trap Day, which is the start of lobster fishing season on the island. If you can’t make Fatty Hour, you can get a taste of Monhegan House at The Novelty, the inn’s own take-away food shack.
About Trap Day – A Unique Lobster Rule In Maine Only On Monhegan
“No one goes until everyone goes.”
Lobstermen on Monhegan Island actually go on pause June 25 and don’t resume lobstering again until the end of September. This is a unique local rule established to protect the island’s way of life. Trap Day is the official start of the lobster fishing season, focused on rituals and traditions dating back to the early 1900s.
8Visit Fish Beach
Fish Beach is the intersection where the unique attributes of the island come together in one: lobster traps, rolling fog, seagulls overhead, shingled fish houses, local kids swimming, artists painting, and fishermen at work. It’s not a big sandy beach but rather a small working waterfront visible from the ferry landing. You can take a swim here, but it’s more likely that you’ll want to take in the authentic postcard atmosphere. It doesn’t get more classic Downeast than this.
9Explore Main Street Shops & Art Galleries
For the 70 residents living on the island year-round, consider buying a local art piece or other souvenir to support the island economy. Beyond the Monhegan Museum of Art and History, don’t miss exploring Black Duck Emporium, Lupine Gallery, and Edison Studio. The Monhegan Store grocery market on Main Street is a fun place to shop for food gifts, too!
Where To Eat in Monhegan
- Barnacles Cafe – Best place to stop for a taste of the island on your first visit to Monhegan! Grab everything you need for a picnic and to savor later on your return to the mainland. You won’t be disappointed!
- Island Inn – Reserve a window seat in the Dining Room for a classic Maine à la carte meal with a view.
- Monhegan House – It’s no surprise that this food-focused inn boasts a 95% scratch kitchen! Choose a 3-course dining experience focused on Sea, Land, or Air.
- The Novelty – The only place to buy pizza on the island, and where scooped ice cream has its own sprinkle station.
- Monhegan Brewery Food Truck – The Bait Bag offers seafood baskets and baguettes. The fried clams might be the best I’ve evah had in the state of Maine. Chicken baskets are available, too.
- Fish House Fish Market – You won’t find a closer spot for lunch or an early dinner by the water. BYOB.
- The Mooring Chain – Enjoy light breakfast items and coffee roasted especially for Monhegan. Monhegan Coffee beans make a great gift!
Where to Stay on Monhegan Island
- Island Inn – Beautiful inn situated on a bluff a few minutes up from the wharf. It boasts a massive front porch with rocking chairs, offering daytime views of island life and breathtaking sunsets. In line with the island’s car-free rustic theme, there are no TVs in rooms, some shared bathrooms, and the hotel only has heating in the lobby, dining room, Pierce Cottage, and Ocean Suites. Pack warm for shoulder seasons!
- Monhegan House – Historical foodie inn with a big front porch and rocking chairs, located in the heart of the village. For a hotel in step with the simplicity of the island, Monhegan House brings that old-world charm. The inn offers period furnishings, vintage decor, and some rooms even have shared bathrooms.
- Shining Sails Bed & Breakfast – This Monhegan B&B offers apartments and cottages with private baths and kitchens that allow for a more flexible stay. Access to restaurants is a further walk than other options, but on Monhegan, nothing, including the ocean, is too far away.
Monhegan Travel Tips for this Itinerary
- Most establishments take cards, but bring cash too!
- Buy a Monhegan Island Trail Map for $1 to plan your hike while on the ferry over.
- Chat with the Monhegan Boat Line crew for current island tips.
- This itinerary is 4 miles dock-to-dock, including a moderate 2-hour hike with narrow areas for ascending/descending rocks. Choose a trail(s) that best suits your own interests and abilities. Plan according to the boat arrival and departure times.
- Stay on marked trails – there is poison ivy everywhere.
- If you dare and visit Monhegan for a day without kids, visitors enjoy a bit of skinny dipping at Gull Cove!!
- Bring plenty of water on a hot summer day! We ran out along Norton’s Ledge and listened to a fair amount of complaining until we got to Monhegan Brewing.
- Book ferry tickets at least a few days in advance! They sell out fast in summer. This trip took the 10:30 boat over and the 4:30 return to Port Clyde.
- Monhegan’s trails are easier than Mt Kineo in Moosehead (and there were no horse flies!!) but definitely challenging! I would not do the Cliff Trail hike on a rainy, wet day. There are too many rocks to navigate.
- Respect private property and island culture while exploring this magnificently simple yet stunning Midcoast gem!
- Monhegan is seasonal. Summer is the best time to visit because hotels, restaurants, and galleries are open.
Afternoon fog and sunshine ~ view from Wharf Hill
Why a Monhegan Day Trip is Unlike Anywhere Else in Maine
Before boarding the ferry to return to Port Clyde, I stood atop Wharf Hill across from the Eaton house in total awe of the historic cottage, rolling fog over neighboring Manana Island, lupin peeking out of tall grasses along the dirt road, and not a single person around me. The quiet nature of this island during peak summer in Maine is unforgettable. Unlike other popular places to visit in Maine, trails aren’t overpopulated, and technology barely works without Wifi. (I had no cell coverage until I returned to Port Clyde.) The simplicity of Monhegan, or “out-to-sea island” in the Abenaki language, is why it’s unlike anywhere else in Maine. And I can’t wait to go back!