Isles of Shoals, Archipelago of nine islands in Gulf of Maine, United States
The Isles of Shoals comprise nine islands scattered across the Gulf of Maine between New Hampshire and Maine, each with rocky shorelines and windswept terrain. The islands display modest buildings, stone foundations, and coastal vegetation shaped by ocean exposure and salt spray.
European fishermen established permanent stations here in 1623, decades before settled communities appeared on the mainland coast. During the 1800s, the islands became a retreat for writers and artists seeking solitude and creative inspiration.
These islands served as home to fishing families who built their daily lives around the ocean and its rhythms. The traces of that existence remain visible in older structures and in how people speak about this place.
The islands are accessible by ferry services operating from nearby ports during the summer season, with the most common departures from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Check weather conditions before visiting, as seas here can become rough quickly and ferry schedules may change with ocean conditions.
Research stations on the islands have maintained continuous scientific studies since 1928, tracking changes in ocean ecosystems and marine species over decades. These long-term observations provide an unbroken record of how conditions in these waters have shifted over time.
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