About Squirrel Island, Maine
Squirrel Island, Maine is a small seasonal community in Lincoln County, set just off the coast from Boothbay Harbor and the mouth of the Sheepscot River. Accessible by passenger ferry from Boothbay Harbor, it sits near well-known Midcoast landmarks like Burnt Island Light and Monhegan Island. The island’s population varies widely with the season, typically a few hundred summer residents and far fewer in winter, spread across a land area of roughly one square mile, giving Squirrel Island a secluded, maritime character within easy reach of the mainland.
While there’s no traditional downtown in the mainland sense, Squirrel Island’s village core features classic shingled cottages, a community building, a small post office, tennis courts, and a charming chapel—echoes of its late-19th-century summer colony roots. Dining and retail needs are usually met in nearby Boothbay Harbor, but the island’s walking lanes and porches cultivate a close-knit, front-porch “Main Street” feel. Historic cottages, boardwalks, and landscaped commons add to the island’s understated architectural appeal, reflecting generations of stewardship.
Outdoors, Squirrel Island invites unhurried coastal exploration with shoreline paths, pocket beaches, and sweeping views over Linekin Bay and the Atlantic. Residents and visitors enjoy swimming, kayaking, sailing, and tennis, with golf available on the mainland at Boothbay Harbor Country Club. Seasonal traditions anchor the calendar—informal regattas, community suppers, concerts, and chapel gatherings—fostering a friendly, multigenerational vibe. Squirrel Island balances small-town charm and recreation with a strong sense of history, making it a peaceful Midcoast retreat connected to, yet distinct from, bustling Boothbay Harbor.