Somes Sound, Glacial bay in Mount Desert Island, Maine, US.
Somes Sound is a bay carved into Mount Desert Island that cuts deeply inland with steep mountain slopes rising on both sides. The inlet is ringed by tall coastal forests and offers sheltered anchorage for vessels.
Abraham Somes established the first permanent settlement at the northern end of the inlet in the late 1700s, beginning European habitation of Mount Desert Island. The protected waters later attracted shipbuilding and fishing operations that shaped the island's economy for generations.
The inlet shaped maritime traditions and continues to draw boaters who appreciate the steep shorelines and protected waters. Nearby villages still reflect a heritage rooted in shipbuilding and fishing communities that once thrived here.
Several boat facilities operate at the northern end with overnight mooring options available for those traveling by water. The best viewpoints are accessible from shore by hiking trails that run along the forested slopes.
Scientists initially classified the inlet as a fjord but now recognize it as a fjard, a rare formation created by underwater geological processes. This geological distinction makes it a noted research location for marine scientists worldwide.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
