4 Easy Daytrips From Yankee Marina & Boatyard

A view of Jewell Island from the top of a World War II tower
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Here at Yankee Marina & Boatyard in Yarmouth, we’re within easy boat reach to Casco Bay’s archipelago of small islands — some completely unspoiled, others a testament to historical events. The area is a rich opportunity for day trips, so we wanted to tell you about some of our favorites:

  • A trip down the Royal River from Yankee Marina & Boatyard will bring you to plenty of islands right at the river’s mouth. Look straight ahead and you’ll see a long, narrow strip of land called Whaleboat Island. It’s the largest undeveloped island in Casco Bay. The name reflects the shape of the terrain, with elevations on both ends and a saddle in the middle. The island is protected in perpetuity as a holding of the Maine Coast Heritage Trust. You can tie up at one of the three or four moorings provided for daytrippers and those who want to sleep at designated campsites. We enjoy rowing ashore and strolling the grassy meadow and cobble beaches. Be sure to keep a lookout for the osprey nest, the bald eagles that are regularly observed here, and migrating songbirds and warblers nesting in the spruce forest. You can also view the crumbling remains of an early settlement.
  • Long Island, farther to the south, has a great bit of political history. Once part of the city of Portland, Long Island’s community, numbering about 230 people, decided in the early 1990s to secede because of a property tax disagreement. The “rebellion” was covered by news outlets from the local to the national level. Two-thirds of Long Island is state-owned, the rest private. It’s a popular destination for tourists who enjoy beautiful beaches, picturesque harbors, and a glimpse of small-town life. Yankee Marina & Boatyard customers especially enjoy visiting the ocean side, where the water is washed to a special clarity that has an almost tropical quality. A walk along the relatively secluded, fine sand beach can be a bit chilly but very special.
  • A short hop away is Jewell Island. During both World War I and World War II, Jewell Island was a military observation outpost, and the crumbling remains of observation towers, a battery and gun emplacement, and other installations are still in place. The state-owned island, a mile-long gem, is crisscrossed by walking trails and dotted by campsites. A natural harbor called Cocktail Cove is great for kayaking and anchoring. The Yankee Marina & Boatyard crew particularly loves The Punchbowl, a crescent-shaped beach that’s perfect for a secluded swim and picnic. From the top of the old World War II tower, you get an incredible, panoramic view of Casco Bay.
  • Just off Jewell Island, Cliff Island has a year-round population of only about 60 people. Living in a small, island community means people look after each other. But they also welcome summer visitors; some homes are available for vacation rentals. The island was featured in the 1987 film “The Whales of August,” which starred Bette Davis and Lillian Gish playing elderly sisters. You can anchor here, too, and go ashore just about anywhere.

These are just a few of the islands that we’ve enjoyed exploring. But really, you can hop from one to the other and find perfect enchantment anywhere you go. The sheer number of secluded spots is amazing — and so is the journey between, when you’ll see plenty of seals, porpoises, bald eagles, and ospreys. You can fish for mackerel and stripers, and even snorkel for mussels. (A tip: For the sweetest mussels, pick the smaller ones exposed at low tide; they haven’t been picked over by the gulls.)

After a day of exploration, we like to tie up at the transient dock at the shoreside Dolphin Restaurant in Harpswell, where we enjoy coastal fare and the bartender’s great margaritas.

If you’re visiting the area but don’t have a boat, pop by Yankee Marina & Boatyard and we’ll be happy to recommend nearby boat rentals or even take you for a spin ourselves.