Eastport occupies a singular place in American geography — it’s the easternmost city in the United States, sitting on Moose Island in Passamaquoddy Bay just a few miles from the Canadian border. It’s also one of the most overlooked destinations in Maine, which means visitors who make the effort to get here find a genuine, unhurried coastal town that hasn’t been packaged for tourism.
Walk the Historic Downtown
Eastport’s downtown is a compact collection of 19th-century brick commercial buildings along Water Street, overlooking Passamaquoddy Bay. The architecture reflects Eastport’s history as a prosperous sardine canning and fish processing center. Today Water Street has galleries, shops, and restaurants in these historic buildings. The Tides Institute and Museum of Art anchors the cultural scene with rotating exhibitions focused on the art and culture of the greater Passamaquoddy Bay region.
Watch the Tides
Passamaquoddy Bay has some of the highest tides in the world — the tidal range in Eastport regularly exceeds 18 feet, part of the same tidal system as the Bay of Fundy. Watching the tide come in and go out in Eastport is genuinely impressive. Check the tide tables before you arrive and plan your time around a full tidal cycle if possible.
Day Trip to Campobello Island
Campobello Island in New Brunswick, Canada, is accessible from Eastport by a short ferry ride (seasonal) or by driving north to Lubec and crossing the international bridge. The island is famous as the summer home of Franklin D. Roosevelt — the Roosevelt Campobello International Park preserves the Roosevelt cottage and surrounding landscape. A passport is required for the border crossing.
Explore Shackford Head State Park
Shackford Head State Park sits on a peninsula just south of Eastport, offering hiking trails through coastal forest with spectacular views of Passamaquoddy Bay, Cobscook Bay, and the surrounding islands. The main trail to the head is about 1.5 miles one way. From the summit on a clear day, the view takes in Campobello Island and the New Brunswick coastline. The park is free and uncrowded.
Watch for Whales and Seabirds
The waters around Eastport and Passamaquoddy Bay are exceptionally productive marine habitat. Minke whales, finback whales, and humpback whales are regular summer visitors. Bald eagles are abundant — Eastport has one of the highest concentrations of nesting bald eagles in the eastern United States. Harbor seals and gray seals haul out on exposed ledges throughout the bay. Whale watching boat tours operate out of Eastport during summer.
Visit Raye’s Mustard Mill
Raye’s Mustard Mill on Washington Street is the last remaining stone-ground mustard mill in North America, operating since 1900. The mill still produces mustard using traditional stone grinding methods and tours of the facility are available. The mill store sells Raye’s full line of mustards along with local Maine food products.
Puffin Watching at Machias Seal Island
Machias Seal Island, accessible by boat from Cutler (about 45 minutes southwest of Eastport), hosts one of the largest Atlantic puffin colonies on the US East Coast. Guided boat tours land visitors on the island during summer where puffins can be observed at remarkably close range. Tours are limited in size and sell out well in advance — book as early as possible.
Kayak Passamaquoddy Bay
Sea kayaking in Passamaquoddy Bay is world-class — the combination of dramatic tidal currents, island-studded bay, and abundant wildlife makes it one of the more rewarding paddling environments in the northeastern United States. The strong tides require respect and planning — guided sea kayak tours from Eastport are recommended for visitors unfamiliar with tidal paddling.
Day Trip to Lubec and Quoddy Head
West Quoddy Head, accessible from Lubec about 40 miles southwest of Eastport, is the easternmost point of land in the United States — a rocky headland marked by the iconic red-and-white striped West Quoddy Head Lighthouse. The surrounding West Quoddy Head State Park offers coastal hiking trails with spectacular Bay of Fundy views.
The Eastport Salmon Festival
Held each Labor Day weekend, the Eastport Salmon Festival is the town’s signature annual event — a celebration of the aquaculture industry centered on Atlantic salmon farming in the cold waters of Passamaquoddy Bay. Fresh salmon, live music, arts and crafts, and the energy of a small Maine town festival make it one of the more authentic community events in Downeast Maine.
Getting to Eastport
Eastport is about 3 hours from Bangor via Route 9 and Route 190 across the causeway to Moose Island. Cell service is limited in Washington County — download offline maps and fill the gas tank before leaving Bangor or Calais.
Where to Stay
The Kilby House Inn is a beautifully restored Victorian bed and breakfast in the heart of the historic district. Browse our Eastport city guide for lodging options.
Plan Your Trip
Ready to visit Eastport? Browse our Eastport city guide for lodging and attractions. For more Downeast Maine exploration, see our Machias city guide and our guide to Downeast Maine. For Maine wildlife watching, see our moose watching guide and Maine fishing guide.
MaineGuide.com has been helping visitors plan their Maine trips since 1995.
📌 Planning a longer Downeast trip? Read our Downeast Maine Road Trip Itinerary for a full five-day route through the region.
📌 Day trip from Eastport? Read our guide to a Campobello Island Day Trip from Eastport — Roosevelt Park, coastal hiking, and practical border crossing tips.
📌 Hiker? Read our complete Bold Coast Maine Hiking Guide for cliff-top trails, seabird watching, and coastal wildlands near Eastport.