Stonington is the most authentically working of Maine’s island communities — a lobster fishing town at the southern tip of Deer Isle that remains, against considerable odds, a real place where real people make their living from the sea. The harbor is packed with lobster boats, the streets smell like low tide, and the ferry to Isle au Haut — the most remote section of Acadia National Park — departs from the town wharf. For visitors who find Bar Harbor too crowded and Camden too polished, Stonington is the answer.
The Working Waterfront
Stonington regularly leads Maine in total lobster landings — an extraordinary distinction for a community of fewer than 1,200 year-round residents. The harbor is packed with lobster boats at all hours, and the rhythm of the fishing operation gives the town an energy that is entirely authentic. The Stonington Lobster Co-op on the harbor is where catch is weighed and purchased. The Fishermen’s Friend restaurant on the harbor serves fresh seafood to fishermen and visitors alike, with none of the tourist markup of Bar Harbor or Kennebunkport.
Isle au Haut and Acadia National Park
The mail boat to Isle au Haut departs from the Stonington town wharf — the starting point for one of the finest day trips in Maine. Isle au Haut is the most remote section of Acadia National Park, with about 2,700 acres of national park land and a primitive trail network. The crossing takes about 45 minutes; summer day trips give approximately 3 hours on the island. The national park maintains five lean-to shelters on Isle au Haut — book at recreation.gov as far in advance as possible. See our Acadia National Park guide for more.
The Granite Heritage
Deer Isle and Stonington were major granite quarrying centers — Deer Isle granite was used in the Rockefeller Center plaza, the Kennedy Memorial in Arlington, and the locks of the Panama Canal. The Crotch Island quarry, visible from the Stonington waterfront, is accessible by kayak. The Deer Isle Granite Museum in Stonington preserves the quarrying history with exhibits and a working scale model of the quarry operations.
Kayaking the Stonington Archipelago
The waters around Stonington — dozens of small islands, ledges, and coves of the outer Deer Isle archipelago — are among the finest sea kayaking territory in Maine. Harbor seals haul out on outer ledges, osprey and bald eagles are abundant, and large rafts of common eiders are visible offshore. Old Quarry Ocean Adventures in Stonington is the most established operator for guided tours, rentals, and camping shuttles to outer islands.
Hiking on Deer Isle
Settlement Quarry Preserve — A short trail to an abandoned granite quarry with expansive views across the Stonington archipelago. One of the finest viewpoints in the Deer Isle area. Crockett Cove Woods Preserve — A Nature Conservancy old-growth coastal fog forest with moss-covered granite and ancient spruce. Barred Island Preserve — Accessible at low tide via gravel bar, with trails and views of Jericho Bay. Edgar Tennis Preserve — Trails with viewpoints overlooking the Stonington harbor and archipelago.
The Arts Scene
The Haystack Mountain School of Crafts on Deer Isle is one of the most prestigious craft schools in the United States — a summer program for professional craft artists in ceramics, glass, fiber, and metals, with a dramatic hillside campus designed by Edward Larrabee Barnes. Several galleries in Stonington’s downtown show high-quality work by local and regional artists at prices significantly lower than Bar Harbor or Portland.
Getting to Stonington
Stonington is at the southern tip of Deer Isle, accessible via the Deer Isle-Sedgwick Bridge on Route 15 — about 1.5 hours from Bucksport and 3 hours from Portland. The approach across the suspension bridge over Eggemoggin Reach is one of the most scenic road approaches in Maine. Cell service is spotty on Deer Isle — download offline maps before leaving the mainland.
Where to Stay
The Inn on the Harbor is the most convenient property — a small inn directly on the waterfront with harbor views. Pilgrim’s Inn in Deer Isle village is a beautifully restored historic inn with a strong dining reputation. Browse our Stonington lodging guide for the full list.
Plan Your Trip
Ready to visit Stonington? Browse Stonington lodging and start planning. For the Isle au Haut day trip, book mail boat tickets through Isle au Haut Boat Services well in advance. For more midcoast Maine, see our guide to Things to Do in Rockland Maine, our Monhegan Island Day Trip guide, and our Vinalhaven Day Trip guide.
MaineGuide.com has been helping visitors plan their Maine trips since 1995.