Major city · United States
Frenchboro
Skip unless you have a boat or want a quiet day-trip by ferry from Bass Harbor: half a day on the island, no overnight needed.
Frenchboro is a tiny island community in Blue Hill Bay, Down East Maine, with a year-round population under 100. There is one seasonal deli, a general store, a conserved 900-acre parcel of trails and beaches, and a lobster festival in August. Most visitors arrive by private boat or the Bass Harbor ferry (35 min). It is a stop for a quiet walk, not a destination.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Nov–Apr (ferry schedule reduced or weather-dependent)
- Airports
- BHB · BGR
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Frenchboro911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Hancock County Sheriff (non-emergency)207-667-7575
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Frenchboro, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe; the main risks are weather (fog, cold water) and the ferry schedule.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 207-667-7575 Hancock County Sheriff (non-emergency)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBHB Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport (About 45 min drive to Bass Harbor ferry; rental car needed.).
- Getting aroundWalk the island's dirt roads and trails; no car rental, no taxi.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at Offshore Store$3–5 (check)
- Budget bedHarbor House Inn (double room), a night, per roomUS$100
- Mid-range bedHarbor House Inn (double room), a night, per roomUS$150
- High-end bedHarbor House Inn (double room), a night, per roomUS$200
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$30 · Mid US$120 · High US$250
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BHB Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport (About 45 min drive to Bass Harbor ferry; rental car needed.) · BGR Bangor International Airport (About 1.5 h drive to Bass Harbor.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Feb
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Mar
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Apr
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
May
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jul
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Aug
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Dec
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)), coolest Jan (−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Feb (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Frenchboro: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
10 rd
Feb
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
9 rd
Mar
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
11 rd
Apr
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
11 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
12 rd
Jun
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
11 rd
Jul
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
10 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
Nov
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
11 rd
Dec
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk the island's dirt roads and trails; no car rental, no taxi. Bikes possible but not available for hire.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Bass Harbor
goDoor to door: 35 min
Ferry from Frenchboro, 35 min
Ferry terminal; also the departure point for Acadia National Park.
Acadia National Park
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Ferry to Bass Harbor, then drive 20 min to park entrance
Combine with a Frenchboro day-trip if you have a car.
Door to door: About 1 h
Ferry to Bass Harbor, then drive 25 min
Larger town with restaurants and shops.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Frenchboro (Harbor House Inn)
Only one inn, open May–September; book ahead.
Bass Harbor / Mount Desert Island
More options if you day-trip; 35 min ferry away.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $20–40 (day-trip, no lodging)
- Mid
- $100–150 (includes ferry, lunch, inn stay)
Trip budget
| Harbor House Inn (double room)1 × 1 night × US$150 | US$150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Ferry Bass Harbor ↔ Frenchboro, round trip2 × US$20 · check | US$40 |
| Lunch at Lunt's Dockside Deli (lobster roll)2 × US$18 · check | US$36 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$47 |
| Trip total≈ US$257 per person per day, bed included | US$513 |
check
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Ferry Bass Harbor ↔ Frenchboro, round tripMaine DOT ferry; cash only. | $20 (check) |
| Lobster roll at Lunt's Dockside DeliJuly–August only. | $18–22 (check) |
| Coffee at Offshore Store | $3–5 (check) |
| Harbor House Inn, double room per nightMay–September. | $100–200 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Ferry schedule changes with season and weather: check the Maine DOT ferry page before you go.
- No ATM on the island; bring cash for the store and deli.
- Lunt's Dockside Deli is open July–August only; the Offshore Store has limited hours.
- Deer are protected and nearly tame — do not feed them.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Hancock County Sheriff (non-emergency)
- 207-667-7575
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
FrenchboroFrenchboro
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To the ferry terminal, pleaseTo the ferry terminal, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Hancock County Sheriff (non-emergency)207-667-7575
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Ferry Bass Harbor → Frenchboro: about $10 one way, 35 min (check)
- Taxi from Bass Harbor ferry to Acadia entrance: about $30–40 (check)
Say or show
- Hello — Hello
- Thank you — Thank you
- How much is the ferry? — How much is the ferry?
- Where is the trailhead? — Where is the trailhead?
English only; no local dialect needed.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Frenchboro. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep · avoid Nov–Apr (ferry schedule reduced or weather-dependent) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Ferry schedule and fare page with real-time status
- Seasonal opening dates for Lunt's Dockside Deli and Harbor House Inn
- Trail map for the conserved 900-acre parcel
- Lobster Festival date and ticket link
Sources
- officialMaine DOT ferry service
- officialHancock County tourism
- secondaryWikivoyage: Frenchboro, revision 4753331 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Frenchboro
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