Isle Au Haut, Remote island in Penobscot Bay, Maine.
Isle au Haut is an island in Penobscot Bay characterized by rocky granite shorelines, dense forest cover, and salt marshes along its edges. The terrain is hilly and rugged, with the Atlantic Ocean surrounding all sides.
French explorer Samuel de Champlain named the island in 1604 during his coastal explorations. After the American Revolution, farmers and fishermen established permanent settlements and gradually built a community here.
Residents here follow the rhythms of the sea, with fishing families maintaining traditions passed down for generations in these waters.
Getting here means taking a passenger ferry from Stonington, which takes about 45 minutes and requires advance booking. Ferry schedules are limited and seasonal, so checking times ahead of your visit is important.
A significant portion of the island belongs to Acadia National Park with roughly 30 kilometers of hiking trails along rocky shores, while the remainder stays privately owned. This split makes it a place where conservation and local life coexist in an unusual arrangement.
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