Not long ago I had the great good fortune to spend a weekend on the island of North Haven, off the coast of Rockland, Maine. North Haven is sort of the cap resting on the head of Vinalhaven Island just to the south of it across the Fox Islands Thoroughfare, and both islands are serviced by the excellent Maine State Ferry Service out of Rockland. As my destination on the island was within walking distance of the ferry terminal, I had no need to bring a vehicle over — but the ferry easily accommodates motor vehicles and RVs of any size should one have need.

North Haven is not a particularly big island, perhaps 10-12 miles across, but it has the salutary attribute of authenticity which, to me, is lost when commercial enterprises (like restaurants, hotels, and souvenir shops) overtake the natural beauty of a place and start to replace the working waterfronts which have sustained seafaring Mainers for centuries. Sure, North Haven has restaurants and lodging — but they inconspicuously coexist beside boat launches and marinas in the modest “downtown”. And while most of the island is inhabited, long stretches of woods, farms and fields grace the interior. There is money on North Haven, but most of that is concentrated on one of three peninsulas, keeping the McMansions for the most part out of view from the rest of the island. And so I found North Haven to be a very comfortable, unpretentious and relaxing spot for a weekend getaway.

I was fortunate to have lodgings in an old farmhouse within view of the ocean, in which there was posited a small island just offshore, accessible by foot at low tide.

Here are more views of the thoroughfare opposite this location:

There are five public beaches on North Haven, the largest of which appears below:

I was fortunate to be graced with lovely sunsets during my stay:

On the northwest side of the island, by the way, is lovely Pulpit Harbor, purportedly the deepest ocean harbor on the eastern seaboard and so a haven (a “north haven”!) for storm-tossed mariners in Penobscot Bay. Unfortunately, the day I visited Pulpit Harbor was foggy and wet, and so I have no photos of it to share. However, here is a photo of the harbor in town (on the Fox Islands Thoroughfare between North Haven and Vinalhaven) where the ferry arrives and departs.

There are a number of North Haven residents who rent their homes over the summer, and so VRBO-type lodgings are readily available to any who wish to visit this quiet island sanctuary, only an hour ferry ride from Rockland but worlds away from the busy routine which constitutes modern life for most of us. I would definitely visit North Haven again!