Major city · United States
Southwest Harbor
Spend 1–2 days in Southwest Harbor: a day for the Gilley Museum and kayaking, another for exploring nearby villages or a relaxed beach walk.
Southwest Harbor is a small Maine port town on Mount Desert Island. Its main draws are the Gilley Museum, local kayak tours, and easy access to Bar Harbor and nearby coastal villages. Most visitors fit the highlights into a single day; a second night lets you enjoy sunrise on the harbor and a slower pace.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Aug
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, limited services)
- Airport
- BHB
- Nights
- 1–2
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 Southwest Harbor911 ▾
- 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 Southwest Harbor, 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
- SafetySouthwest Harbor is generally safe; typical concerns are icy sidewalks in winter and occasional summer crowds.
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.
- AirportBHB Bar Harbor Airport (15 min drive north via Route 102).
- Getting aroundMost sights are within walking distance; bicycles are popular.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a café$2–4
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))$15–20
- Museum or sight ticketGilley Museum entry$5–10
- Budget bedInn or B&B room, a night, per personUS$165
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$150 · High US$220
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 Bar Harbor Airport (15 min drive north via Route 102)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Feb
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Mar
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jul
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Sep
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Oct
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Best: Jun–Aug. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)), coolest Jan (−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C) low), wettest Dec (11 rain days), driest Jun (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Southwest Harbor: 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
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
10 rd
Feb
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
9 rd
Mar
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
9 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
8 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
8 rd
Jun
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
7 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
Aug
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8 rd
Sep
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
10 rd
Dec
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°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
Most sights are within walking distance; bicycles are popular. Seasonal ferry service connects to Bar Harbor. Car rentals are available at Bar Harbor Airport for trips to the island’s interior.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Bar Harbor
goDoor to door: ≈30 min total
Drive north 15 min on Route 102 or take the seasonal ferry
Main tourist hub with shops, restaurants, and Acadia National Park entrance.
Somesville
goDoor to door: ≈20 min total
Drive south 10 min on Route 102A
Quiet village with waterfront and historic homes.
Hulls Cove
goDoor to door: ≈25 min total
Drive south 12 min on Route 102A
Scenic cove with a small beach and tide‑pools.
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.
Ann's Point Inn
Four‑diamond inn on a peninsula; rooms with water views.
The Claremont Hotel
Shorefront resort with rooms, cottages, and on‑site dining.
Harbour Cottage Inn
$165–289 per night B&B with specials.
Pier One Vacation Rentals
$1,029–1,820 weekly waterfront rentals.
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
- $70–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–180 excl. bed
- High
- $200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Inn or B&B room2 × 1 night × US$210 | US$420 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$150 | US$300 |
| Kayak tour (private, half‑day)2 × US$120 · check | US$240 |
| Ferry Bar Harbor ↔ Southwest Harbor2 × US$20 · check | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$100 |
| Trip total≈ US$550 per person per day, bed included | US$1,100 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | $2–4 |
| Lobster roll | $12–18 |
| Taxi (5 km) | $15–20 |
| Kayak tour (half‑day) | $80–120 |
| Gilley Museum entry | $5–10 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The Carroll Homestead opens only on specific days; call park headquarters to confirm tours.
- Ferry schedules vary by season; check times before planning a day trip.
Emergency numbers
- Police / Fire / Ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Southwest HarborSouthwest Harbor
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s’il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / Fire / Ambulance911
Embassy
US consulates are in Portland (ME) and Boston (MA).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bar Harbor Airport → Southwest Harbor (taxi): about $30–45, 15 min (check)
- Ferry Bar Harbor ↔ Southwest Harbor: about $15–25 each way (check)
Say or show
- Excusez‑moi — Excuse me / Sorry (excusez‑moi)
- Merci — Thank you (merci)
- Combien ça coûte ? — How much is it? (combien ça coûte)
- Où sont les toilettes ? — Where is the restroom? (où sont les toilettes)
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 Southwest Harbor. 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–Aug · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, limited services) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Southwest Harbor
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