From the north, leave Can 3 off Great Spruce Head Island to starboard and Escargot Island to port. There is usually a private mark on a ledge off the northeast end of Little Barred Island. About halfway between the beacon and Escargot should give you safe water.
From the south, one can head between Little Barred and Great Spruce Head Islands, take a turn to the east at the top of Little Barred, giving it a wide berth and then turn between Escargot and the ledges off Little Barred as described above.
CAUTION: Depths through the entry area can vary from 0 to 10 feet, and the area near the moorings is shallower — close to 5 to 6 feet at MLW. If you’ve not been into Barred before, we recommend using the dinghy and a portable depth sounder to locate a safe track and anchoring spot for your boat.
The aerial photo, (oriented north to south – bottom to top), shows the visible and underwater dangers marked in red and “bar” shoal at the very top. Photo of Barred Islands anchorage by Doug & Dale Bruce