Major city · United States
VinalhavenVinalhaven, Maine
Go for 2 nights if you want quarry swims and coastal trails; skip the car, walk on the ferry from Rockland and rent a bike for the far coves.
Vinalhaven is a working lobster harbour and a protected island in Penobscot Bay, about 24 km by water from Rockland. A quarter of the land is held by land trusts, so the draw is quarries, spruce trails and a harbour that still smells of bait, not a resort strip. Two nights covers the village, the quarries and one long walk; three nights adds the far preserves and a kayak morning. Bring cash, expect patchy mobile data away from Main Street, and treat the last ferry as a hard deadline.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Nov–Apr (many businesses shut, ferries thin out)
- Airports
- RKD · BOS · PWM
- Nights
- 2–3
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.
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
Emergency numbers for Vinalhaven911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
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 Vinalhaven, 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 low crime; the real risks are cold quarry water, fast-changing coastal weather and missing the last ferry.
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
- 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.
- AirportcheckRKD Knox County Regional (Rockland) (Closest mainland airport to the ferry terminal; seasonal flights, check schedules.).
- Getting aroundThe island is roughly 8 km (5 mi) by 11 km (6.8 mi) with about 79 km (49 mi) of paved road, so nothing is far, but nothing is next to anything either.The island is roughly 5 mi (8 km) by 6.8 mi (11 km) with about 49 mi (79 km) of paved road, so nothing is far, but nothing is next to anything either.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee and a pastry$5–9
- Sit-down mealCooked lobster dinner$30–45
- BeerBeer at a bar$6–9
- Budget bedWeekly house rental (per night), a night, per roomUS$200
- Mid-range bedBed-and-breakfast room, a night, per roomUS$220
- High-end bedBed-and-breakfast room, a night, per roomUS$320
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$130 · High US$240
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
- RKD Knox County Regional (Rockland) (Closest mainland airport to the ferry terminal; seasonal flights, check schedules.) · BOS Boston Logan (Main gateway for the region; bus to Rockland, then the ferry.) · PWM Portland International Jetport (About 2 h by road to Rockland; useful for rental cars.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Feb
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Mar
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°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
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°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 (−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Feb (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Vinalhaven: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
10 rd
Feb
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
9 rd
Mar
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
10 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)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°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
The island is roughly 8 km by 11 km with about 79 km of paved road, so nothing is far, but nothing is next to anything either. Walk in the village; rent a bike for the quarries and the north shore; taxis and informal lifts exist but are limited, so book ahead. Bringing a car means a reservation a month out or a standby queue at the terminal, which can cost a day each way.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
North Haven
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Ferry across the Thorofare, or a skiff from the north shore
Quieter island with its own trails and a small village; check the ferry timetable before you commit.
Rockland
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Maine State Ferry from Carver's Harbor, about 75 min
Mainland base with the Farnsworth Art Museum and the ferry terminal.
Camden
goDoor to door: About 2 h
Ferry to Rockland, then about 20 min by road
Hills, harbour and a walkable main street; pairs well with a Rockland stop.
Owls Head
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
Ferry to Rockland, then about 20 min by road
Lighthouse and transport museum; needs a car from Rockland.
Matinicus or Isle au Haut
overnightDoor to door: Half a day or more
Ferry connections from Rockland, seasonal and limited
Only worth it if you are already island-hopping; check sailings.
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.
Main Street and Carver's Harbor
Walk to the ferry, the co-op, most restaurants and the motel; best base without a car.
Water Street
A block off Main, quieter, still a short walk to the dock and the B&Bs.
North Haven Road side
Closer to Lawson's Quarry, Brown's Head and the north-shore trails; you need a bike or a lift.
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
- $70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–190 excl. bed
- High
- $200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Bed-and-breakfast room1 × 2 nights × US$220 | US$440 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$130 | US$520 |
| Maine State Ferry, Rockland–Vinalhaven, round trip on foot2 × US$35 · check | US$70 |
| Bike rental, one day2 × US$10 · check | US$20 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$108 |
| Trip total≈ US$297 per person per day, bed included | US$1,188 |
Few rooms on the island; book weeks ahead in summer.
2026 estimate in US dollars; ferry and mainland travel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee and a pastry | $5–9 |
| Lobster rollSeasonal; prices move with the lobster market. | $22–32 |
| Cooked lobster dinner | $30–45 |
| Pizza | $16–24 |
| Beer at a bar | $6–9 |
| Bike rental, one day | $10 (check) |
| Ferry, Rockland–Vinalhaven, one way on foot | $17.50 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Quarry water stays cold even in August, and ledges drop off fast: no jumping from high granite.
- The last afternoon ferry leaves on time. Be at the dock 45 minutes early or you sleep on the island.
- Camping is not allowed anywhere on the island and there is no campground.
- Mobile data is patchy outside the village; download maps and ferry times before you board.
- Restaurants open and close between seasons: confirm hours the week you travel.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
VinalhavenVinalhaven, Maine
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No consulates on the island; nearest services are in Rockland and Portland, with full embassies and consulates in Boston and New York.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Rockland → Vinalhaven ferry, on foot: about $17.50 one way, about 75 min (check)
- Bike rental, one day: about $10 (check)
- Skiff across to North Haven: about $5 (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the ferry dock? — Where is the ferry dock?
- Is the kitchen still open? — Is the kitchen still open?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
Cash helps at small docks and stands; card works in most village businesses.
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 Vinalhaven. 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 (many businesses shut, ferries thin out) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Ferry-to-bed contract for Carver's Harbor: last-boat cutoffs, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Main Street, the quarries, the north shore, Lane's Island.
- Place pages with verified access notes (Lane's Island, Lawson's and Booth quarries, Brown's Head, The Basin) and eat pages with last orders.
- Storm and missed-ferry fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialMaine State Ferry Service
- officialVinalhaven Land Trust
- officialMaine Office of Tourism
- secondaryWikivoyage: Vinalhaven, revision 5325947 (CC BY-SA 4.0)