We rented a house on Swans Island for a few weeks about 10 years ago -- such a wonderful vacation. There was only 1 hotel and the ferry only ran twice a day, so it was peaceful.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mt Desert Island is gorgeous, but you can barely tell it's an island. The downtown is cute but very touristy, though there is certainly plenty of nature and hiking.

30 minutes from there by ferry is Cranberry Island. Granted, it's been a long time since I went there, but it was lovely and more removed than what you would get at Peaks Island or MDI.

Stay on the western side of Mount Desert Island. Bar Harbor is in a small section of the eastern side. Stay away from Bar Harbor.

We prefer Southwest Harbor and Hall Quarry on the western side.

This is good advice for someone who wants the quiet part of MDI, but for someone looking for the pace of a Maine island, I would say that nowhere on MDI provides that.

Our stay in Hall Quarry was similar to our stay on Little Cranberry. But that was our family and others MMV.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mt Desert Island is gorgeous, but you can barely tell it's an island. The downtown is cute but very touristy, though there is certainly plenty of nature and hiking.

30 minutes from there by ferry is Cranberry Island. Granted, it's been a long time since I went there, but it was lovely and more removed than what you would get at Peaks Island or MDI.

Stay on the western side of Mount Desert Island. Bar Harbor is in a small section of the eastern side. Stay away from Bar Harbor.

We prefer Southwest Harbor and Hall Quarry on the western side.

This is good advice for someone who wants the quiet part of MDI, but for someone looking for the pace of a Maine island, I would say that nowhere on MDI provides that.

Anonymous wrote:Mt Desert Island is gorgeous, but you can barely tell it's an island. The downtown is cute but very touristy, though there is certainly plenty of nature and hiking.

30 minutes from there by ferry is Cranberry Island. Granted, it's been a long time since I went there, but it was lovely and more removed than what you would get at Peaks Island or MDI.

Stay on the western side of Mount Desert Island. Bar Harbor is in a small section of the eastern side. Stay away from Bar Harbor.

We prefer Southwest Harbor and Hall Quarry on the western side.

Anonymous wrote:Mt Desert Island is gorgeous, but you can barely tell it's an island. The downtown is cute but very touristy, though there is certainly plenty of nature and hiking.

30 minutes from there by ferry is Cranberry Island. Granted, it's been a long time since I went there, but it was lovely and more removed than what you would get at Peaks Island or MDI.

+1
I love Bar Harbor but it is as busy as cape cod.

The fox islands feel 20 times slower.

Mt Desert Island is gorgeous, but you can barely tell it's an island. The downtown is cute but very touristy, though there is certainly plenty of nature and hiking.

30 minutes from there by ferry is Cranberry Island. Granted, it's been a long time since I went there, but it was lovely and more removed than what you would get at Peaks Island or MDI.

I like Peaks, but for the OP, I wouldn't choose one of the Casco Bay Islands-it sounds like OP wants something more outdoorsy with more natural scenery.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:North haven and vinyl haven.

They're next to each other but very different.

It's Vinalhaven.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinalhaven,_Maine

OP, consider Deer Isle as well, and maybe Rangely Lake.

PP here. I had a feeling I was spelling it wrong. Thanks.

Anonymous wrote:North haven and vinyl haven.

They're next to each other but very different.

It's Vinalhaven.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinalhaven,_Maine

OP, consider Deer Isle as well, and maybe Rangely Lake.

Deer Isle, Me or Mount Desert Island (home of Acadia Nat'l Park) sound like they'd be perfect. We just came back from there and had a blast!

Anonymous wrote:Thanks. I've heard about North Haven, but not Vinyl Haven. Can you tell me how they're different?

North Haven is very much a summer colony. I think its winter population is about 500 and its summer population is about 2000.

Vinyl Haven is a bigger island, is more working class, and I think its winter and summer population difference is not as extreme.

The channel between them is very narrow. If you have bikes, you could cross over to the other island in the morning and explore a lot before crossing back late in the day.

You said that you'd want to be on the island for many days in a row. This is totally possible on both islands, although the groceries are expensive.

Thanks. I've heard about North Haven, but not Vinyl Haven. Can you tell me how they're different?

North haven and vinyl haven.

They're next to each other but very different.

Any of the casco bay islands. Peaks is the largest and has lots of summer rentals. Portland is a 20 minute ferry ride. Tons to do but also good to relax.

My husband and I love the ocean, but less so the beach, meaning we love rocky, coastal terrain. It's okay if that means it's cold. Just love to be near water - hiking, paddle boarding, kayaking, coves, etc. Islands make things even more magical. Favorite places include the Oregon coast, Isle of Skye in Scotland, and Ireland and Cornwall in England. Thinking about a place to go, with kids, for 2-3 weeks next summer. For various reasons, considering Maine, because then we could just drive ourselves, cutting out airfare and car rental and thus making the month-long rental more affordable. We could also bring more of our own gear and my mom might join us for part of the time. Does anyone have suggestions, especially for islands? We like the idea of an island served by a ferry, but such that we might not even need to go to the mainland for several days in a row. Thanks for any ideas anyone can offer!