"Vinalhaven Island - A Real Maine Experience" Vinalhaven by WheninRome

Vinalhaven Travel Guide: 39 reviews and 83 photos

Not Your Typical Tourist Destination

If you want to avoid crowds, see immense beauty and get a taste of a real Maine lobster village, then Vinalhaven Island is your place. We spent a week on the island and loved every minute of it!

Throughout the 1800's Vinalhaven Island become a leader in Maine's granite block production industry. According to the Vinalhaven, Maine Chamber of Commerce website, Vinalhaven Island cut and polished granite was used in buildings throughout the U.S. including at the base of the Brooklyn Bridge, the Board of Trade in Chicago, the Washington Monument, and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in NYC to name a few.

The island has also been a primary fishing center (however I didn't catch anything while there) and is now primarily a lobster village. Lobstering is now the major business activity on the island with lobster boats, lobster bouys, lobster traps, lobstermen, lobster (I am beginning to feel like Forest Gump) everywhere.

A View From the Deck

a side view from the deck

This was one of the most relaxing vacations I have had. Some mornings we would make coffee and sit on the deck watching the lobster boats work the waters in front of our rental house. Other mornings I would get up early and bike into town to beg for baitfish from the lobster docks for fishing later in the day.

In the afternoons I would fish, or we would kayak, explore uninhabited islands off the coast, hike in the numerous nature preserves on the island, bike around and explore Vinalhaven Island itself, or simply read from one of the many outdoor adventure books the owner of the house had in his vast library. In the cool evenings sometimes we would make a fire in the living room's woodburning stove and crack a window and listen to the ocean.

evening approaching

Last visit to Vinalhaven: Aug 2006
Intro Updated Jan 12, 2007
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Reviews (16)

lobster traps washed ashore - Vinalhaven

Beach Comb Things to Do (8)

Granted, the beach combing here may not be as easy or as profitable as it is in more sandly locals, however, it can... more travel advice

Lobster Boat Captain Favorites (1)

If only I had a Lieutenant Dan, I too could be a Lobsterboat Captain. No seriously, lobstering is grueling work even... more travel advice

reserve line far right, non-reserv. line center - Vinalhaven

Rockland/Vinalhaven Ferry Transportation (2)

I should emphasize that the return trip to Rockland from Vinalhaven operates in the same way. You must have a... more travel advice

Rockland Ferry Transportation (2)

The only way to get to Vinalhaven Island is by ferry. Getting a seat on the ferry is no problem if you are not driving a... more travel advice

Hotels (1)
A House on the Ocean
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Comments (5)

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Beljanewood Mar 30, 2008 at 2:37 PM

Great tips. Vinalhaven is one of my favorite places.
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mvtouring Feb 8, 2007 at 9:01 PM

Those Maine lobsters sounds good. I love our own westcoast lobsters (Atlantic ocean), more tasty than the east coast ones(Indian ocean). ;-)
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WheninRome Jan 12, 2007 at 6:24 PM

karenincalifornia - AAA was going to come over to the island, but I was embarrassed about that and changed it myself.
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Stephen-KarenConn Jan 9, 2007 at 6:52 AM

A very interesting read. The vacation house rental is an absolute dream. You've tempted me to go there.
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karenincalifornia Jan 8, 2007 at 8:02 PM

If there are no mechanics, what does one do when one's car breaks down? Bring one over? Absolutely loved your Vinalhaven page. I totally agree with you on the house thing - you got yourself a winner!