Maine’s Vinalhaven Island: day trip or overnight

Vinalhaven island makes a wonderful day trip. It’s also great way to escape a heat wave. Not only is the ferry ride a nice way to get on the water and enjoy the views, but islands tend to be a bit cooler and breezier than the mainland. Hop the morning ferry from Rockland, and 75 minutes later, you’re on the island.

What to do on Vinalhaven island

You can easily explore Vinalhaven on foot, but a bike makes it easier to get around. You can rent bicycles as well as kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards from the Tidewater Motel, on island, but advance reservations are key.

Lane’s Island Preserve, one of about a dozen or so great places for walking and picnicking is about a 10-minute walk out the other side of town (turn right off the ferry, pass through downtown, turn right on Water St. and continue on Lane’s Island Rd.). Trails ring and lace this island, which is connected via causeway to Vinalhaven. For more info on hiking and an island map showing preserves and roads, visit Vinalhaven Land Trust.

If you’re renting a kayak, ask to be dropped at The Basin. If you’re biking, follow the Old Harbor Road out to it for a scenic pedal. Otherwise the usual bike route is the Round the Island Road, with perhaps a detour to Geary’s Beach or for an extended tour, to Brown’s Head Light on the Fox Islands Thorofare.

In any case, don’t miss a swim in one of the island’s two public quarries, Booth’s and Lawson’s, each about a mile, give or take, outside of town.

If you’re a birder, book a trip with John Drury. He gives excellent birding tours as well as sightseeing cruises aboard his six-passenger boat. Or explore the island from the water with Vinalhaven by Boat.

That former Odd Fellow’s Hall with the American flag-motif windows? That’s where artist Robert Indiana lived (famous for his LOVE, EAT, and other sculptures; find out more at The Farnsworth Museum in Rockland).

And don’t miss the Vinalhaven Historical Society Museum, on High Street (up the hill). Lots of info on the island’s past, including it granite glory days (in the 1880s, nearly 4,000 people lived on Vinalhaven and neighboring islands).

Pick up an island souvenir in town at one of the shops and galleries. Go Fish has a little of this and more of that as well as great penny candy selection. New Era Gallery carries primarily works by island artists; Wind Horse Arts is Alison Thibault’s working glass studio (nice jewelry!); for handmade, Maine-made, and unique finds, pop into Zach’s Shack. If you need a good read for the ferry ride home, pop into Second Hand Prose, run by the Friends of Vinalhaven Public Library.

Where to eat

The village is about a 10-minute walk from the ferry dock. En route is Surfside, home of what may be the state’s best fishcakes. If you’re lucky, you can snag a seat outside on the deck (breakfast is served until 11 a.m.).

You can get cheese and fancy goods at Island Spirits, basics at the grocery. Love doughnuts? Sea’s Bakery has you covered.

Before departing, go ahead, treat yourself with a lobster roll at Greet’s Eats: Just look for the red food truck on the water side a bit before the ferry terminal.

The Sand Bar has stood the test of time for family friendly fare for lunch or dinner. The Pizza Pit is another family pleaser, offering pizza, subs, pastas, salads, and more. For fancier dinner fare, head to Dot & Millie’s (had me at lobster pappardelle).

Skål, a speakeasy, offers small plates and live entertainment.

Spend the night on Vinalhaven island

While Vinalhaven island is a great day trip, it’s even better, if you can swing a couple of nights out here. The Tidewater Motel makes that easy. It literally hangs over the Carver’s Harbor. Wake up to the chugga chugga of lobster boats in the morning. Rates include a continental breakfast and island shuttle service.