Whenever I visit Maine’s Schoodic Peninsula, home to the only mainland section of Acadia National Park, I also detour out to Corea, a lobstering village in the town of Gouldsboro. Corea tips a peninsula that, until 2002, was also home to a Navy base. But now it’s a sleepy village with dreamy views. Updated May 26, 2023
1. Chapter Two
Rosemary and Garry Levin’s gallery-shop is a multi-faceted find for book and art lovers. It features Rosemary’s original hand-hooked rugs, as well as contemporary art and craft, local books, and so much more. Chapter Two is a browser’s delight, and I rarely leave without purchasing something or gaining tips for local hikes from Garry.
2. Lunch on the Wharf
A dirt lane just beyond the Post Office leads to a small grouping of somewhat ramshackle fish shacks hanging over the harbor. The first of these has been spruced up to house Lunch on the Wharf, one of my favorite Maine lobster shacks. Of course, it has delicious lobster. And you can savor the food along with the views from picnic tables on the wharf overlooking the harbor. Heaven!
3. Corea Heath
In 2008 Frenchman Bay Conservancy purchased 600 acres of land known as the Corea Heath, and that summer, volunteers began cutting trails. Heath is a local word for peatland or bog. And this one is a rare coastal plateau bog, distinguished because it rises above the surrounding landscape.
This is a spectacular property, with divergent ecosystems including bogs, ledges, and a mixed-wood forest. Natural features include pitcher plants, sphagnum mosses, rare vascular plants, and jack pines. It’s a fabulous place for bird-watching too. And it borders a section of the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge.
An easy 1.25-mile trail loops down to a bog with a beaver lodge. Note: Some sections are boggy, although most of these have boardwalks. Do apply bug dope.
Although I hiked in mid-day, I imagine the wildlife watching here would be spectacular nearer to sunrise and sunset. When we visited, we were the only hikers in the preserve.
obviously you didn’t explore all of Corea. A little further down is the Black Duck B&B, in business now for over 20 years.
Hi Barry. Yes, The Black Duck is a lovely B&B with two waterfront cottages. I didn’t include it because it’s actively for sale.
Most photographers who have discovered Corea, speak of it lovingly. In hushed, reverent tones.
I spent a week there one summer, rented an entire house built right ON the water (yes, I stepped out of the back door onto a deck on the water) for $600. What a deal!
Spent the whole week mostly exploring on foot and taking photos. There is also a little island offshore that is accessible at low tide.
If you visit my blog at http://www.michelestapleton.com/blog/ one of the photos in the rotation of masthead photos is of the Corea harbor. So picturesque.
Nice shot! Yes, we spent a week in Corea a few years back in a house edging the ocean. It was heavenly.
Corea Cottages is also another wonderful place to stay! All three houses are right on the water, family owned and operated for three generations.
Good old Corea, Maine…..that’s where my family’s from….Dad was a lobsterfisherman…since passed…We grew up learning the trade (I have a younger bro and sis)…..I hated everything about it and Corea and could’nt wait to get out……just sayin’….live in Boston and love the cape….I guess what makes it so apealling for other folks, is it’s cut-off from the rest of the world…..so, enjoy….just glad I don’t have to live there!!!!t
Hello, enjoyed your site.
We will fly up from VA to Boston on Sunday, and drive up to Corea to spend 4 nights before driving up to St. John, New Brunswick.
We love nature, and beautiful scenery. Of course, we will have a car. Because of my knees, we do not do too much hiking.
What would your suggest as must do’s for our trip?
Really looking forward to getting there.
Apologies for the late reply — I’ve been on the road researching. You’ve certainly got perfect weather! The artists and artisans galleries in the region are excellent — always makes a fun day looping through Hancock, Sullivan, and the Schoodic Pennsula and visiting them. Check to see if the Schoodic Institute or Oceanside Meadows Inn have any programs on their schedules. You can also take the ferry to Bar Harbor for a day trip — visit downtown sights, tour, or use the Island Explorer to get around. Enjoy!
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