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Voykit pocket guide · United States
New Harbor
Half-day stop for lobster and harbor views, or a full day if you add kayaking and a short hike. Not a base — one night max.
New Harbor is a working fishing village on the Pemaquid Peninsula in Lincoln County, Maine. Its main draw is Shaw's Fish and Lobster Wharf, a counter-service lobster shack open only in summer, with picnic tables overlooking the harbor. The surrounding area offers the Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, Fort William Henry, and kayak rentals. Most visitors come as a day trip from Boothbay Harbor, Damariscotta, or midcoast lodging.
- Country
- United States
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Avoid
- Nov–Apr (most restaurants and attractions closed)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- USD
- Money
- Currency is the US dollar (USD, $). Cards and phone payments work almost everywhere; carry a little cash for tips and small vendors.
- Daily spend
- Budget $60–100 excl. bed · Mid $100–160 excl. bed · High $160+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.
- Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance 911 · Lincoln County Sheriff (non-emergency) 207-882-7332
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · Chargers are dual-voltage; hair dryers and straighteners from 230 V countries need a converter.
- Tipping
- Sit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.; Bar: US$1–2 per drink or 20% of the tab.; Taxi / ride-hailing: 15–20%, in the app.; Hotel housekeeping: US$3–5 a night.; Porter / valet: US$2–5 per bag or car.; Tour guide: US$10–20 per person for a day tour.; Counter service / tablet prompts: Optional; 0–15%.
- Water
- Tap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.
- Toilets
- Free public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations. Rest areas on highways are free.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Whole lobster dinner (Shaw's) | $25–40 |
| Lobster roll | $18–25 |
| Clam chowder (bowl) | $8–12 |
| Coffee | $3–5 |
| Gasoline (per gallon) | $3.50–4.50 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- PWM · Portland International Jetport
- About 1.5 h drive; rental car needed
- BHB · Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport
- About 2 h drive; seasonal flights
Typical fares
- Portland Jetport → New Harbor (car)
- about 1.5 h, rental car needed
- Damariscotta → New Harbor (car)
- about 15 min
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Car is essential. Parking at Shaw's and the lighthouse is free but limited. No public transport.
See and do
Known for
- Shaw's Fish and Lobster Wharf
- Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
- Working fishing harbor
- Summer-only lobster shacks
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Pemaquid Point Lighthouse | 5 min drive south on State Route 130 | 10 min |
| Boothbay Harbor | 30 min drive north via Route 27 | 35 min |
| Damariscotta | 15 min drive north via Route 129/130 | 20 min |
Sleep
- New Harbor village
- A few cottages and B&Bs; quiet, no nightlife
- Damariscotta (15 min drive)
- More dining and lodging options; check
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| How much for a whole lobster? | How much for a whole lobster? |
| Is there parking? | Is there parking? |
| Cash only? | Cash only? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake and 'hi, how are you?' — reply 'good, thanks'; avoid: Treating the question as a real health enquiry
- Restaurants: Tip 18–22% and wait for the check; avoid: Leaving without tipping
- Personal space: Keep an arm's length in queues; avoid: Standing close to strangers
- Politics and religion: Listen more than you speak; avoid: Opening with hot-button topics
- Smoking: Smoke only in marked areas; avoid: Smoking near doors or in parks where banned
Scams and watch-outs
- Shaw's closes mid-Oct to late May; check their Facebook page for exact dates.
- Lobster prices vary with the catch; expect $20–35 for a whole lobster dinner (2026 estimate).
- No ATMs in the village; bring cash — many shacks are cash only.
- Mosquitoes and black flies in June; bring repellent.
Very safe. Usual rural precautions: lock your car, watch for ticks after hiking, and don't leave valuables on the beach.
One and two days
No timed day plan for New Harbor yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Shaw's Fish and Lobster Wharf
- Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
- Working fishing harbor
- Summer-only lobster shacks
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: New Harbor, revision 3506057 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=3506057
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
New Harbor
To this address, please
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Lincoln County Sheriff (non-emergency)207-882-7332
English only; no foreign language services.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/new-harbor). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.