Cars are prohibited on this stunning 580-acre Monhegan Island. The occasional produce or moving truck might make an appearance, but with a passenger ferry as the only route of transportation to Monhegan Island, the island remains car-free year-round, with automobiles prohibited.
This is similar to Michigan’s famous Mackinac Island, America’s largest and most-visited car-free island, which only offers transportation by horse carriage, bike, or foot.
Things to do in Monhegan Village
Monhegan Island is 1.7 miles long by .7 miles wide, with over 300 acres of protected conservation land and about 250 acres with residences, hotels, local shops, and more.
Despite its small size, the village boasts plenty of overnight options, including cottage rentals, an 1870s inn, a Meadow View apartment, and historic 1784 apartments.
You’ll also find plenty of artists’ works on the island and more than eight different places to grab a bite, from a coffee shop to seafood spots and a dessert shop baking what
Exploring the outdoors on Monhegan Island
The island is also home to some of Maine’s highest ocean cliffs, looking east all the way to Nova Scotia on a clear day.
Due to the currents and unpredictable waves, as well as the slippery rocks and remote nature of the island, swimming is not recommended. The only designated swimming area is Swim Beach, a tiny cove near the ferry arrival dock, and even that water is cold and has strong undertow currents. The island has more than 12 hiking trails and plenty of bird-watching opportunities from its various vantage points.
Because it is a car-free island, there are no paved roads on Monhegan Island.
Getting there from Boston
The island is only accessible by passenger ferry. The ferry ports are a three-hour drive from Boston, with parking at the terminals.
Hardy Boat Cruises is slightly farther south, making it closer to Boston. A little farther north is Monhegan Boat Line. Both ferries cost about $50 to $75 round-trip, depending on the date, time, and season of travel, and the ferry ride from the mainland to the island is approximately 60 minutes. The Balmy Days II also offers ferry trips from Boothbay, Maine.
Some ferry companies offer year-round service to Monhegan Island, but the high season runs from May through October.
