All too many cruisers intent on heading Downeast to more remote destinations or directly west on their way home make the mistake of not taking the time to detour north and explore all that Blue Hill Bay has to offer. The bay is open to the Gulf of Maine at the southern end, defined by the Bass Harbor light on the east, and by (outer) Long Island, Swan’s Island, and the Flye Island Light on the west. It is divided into two roughly equal halves by (inner) Long and Tinker’s Islands. As one progresses about ten miles north from the Flye Island light, the bay tapers towards the iconic entrance to Blue Hill Harbor and the charming town of Blue Hill — all presided over by the eponymous Blue Hill Mountain. (With a peak at just 940 feet above sea level, it is technically not quite a mountain). The town was initially settled in the mid-1700s, with early industries including lumber, granite (some was used to build the Brooklyn Bridge and New York Stock Exchange), and shipbuilding.
Blue Hill
Last edited by:
- Dan Coit
- February 25, 2022
- 4:32 pm
- 0 comments
Region:
Photo: visitmaine.com
Approach & Cautions
Photo: Tom H – Flickr
Blue Hill Bay is wide and deep, protected, with generally predictable afternoon summer breezes. The bay is unencumbered by many unexpected navigational challenges. Those that exist are well marked by government buoys, all well worth observing (especially the rocks north and south of Tinker’s Island, Harriman’s ledge off South Blue Hill, and Sand Point off (inner) Long Island, Darling’s rocks off East Blue Hill). There are a pair of charted but unmarked reefs on the western side of the inner bay, just north of the easily visible iconic Blue Hill Falls bridge.
Entry into the harbor is safest by leaving BOTH cans #1 and #3 to port, then can #5 to port and nun #2 to starboard, rounding Sculpin Point, which can be submerged at high tide. Once inside the harbor, access to the main anchorage is straightforward; for the more curious seeking a bit more seclusion, there is a second smaller anchorage farther in, past can #7 and nun #2, just off the golf course.
There is a shortcut, the “fisherman’s channel,” coming in between Seal Rock and the flagpole on Sculpin Point to round can #5; for all but those with local knowledge or shallow draft, this may be a bit adventuresome. Using this approach, more than one experienced professional captain has experienced just how much harder the rocks become on an ebbing tide.
Docking, Anchorages, or Moorings
The harbor has become quite crowded, and moorings are strongly recommended. The Kollegewidgwok Yacht Club staff can be hailed (“KYC dock” on channel 9, 207-374-5581); they are responsive and will direct you to an appropriate mooring on a first-come-first-served basis ($45 per night; moorings for boats > 50 feet limited).
VHF
Ch 9 for Kollegewidgwok Yacht Club
FUEL
Ethanol-free gas and diesel (market price) at KYC
WATER
Water available at the KYC dock. (They dug a new well, and it’s now potable water.)
ELECTRICITY
No shore power
SHOWERS
Outside only at KYC
LAUNDRY
Blue Hill Laundry laundromat in town, 11 Ellsworth Rd. (207) 374-2777
WIFI
kycpublic (no password); kycguest (password bluehill) Also in town at the Blue Hill Public Library, where there are tables and chairs outside for Sunday WiFi (you’ll need a library card from a Minerva library in Maine to log in).
PUMP OUT
Yes, intermittently, at KYC
SERVICES
The club has a limited chandlery, and it can accept overnight part deliveries if notified in advance. Webber’s Cove and Atlantic Boat are two local yards that can be called to have someone come over and help with most common yacht repairs.
TRASH
Yes, at the KYC. Speak to the manager.
MEDICAL
The Blue Hill Hospital can manage many medical problems, with excellent access to more sophisticated facilities if needed.
MORE BOAT AMENITIES
Getting Ashore
Photo: Jay Woodworth, Flickr
Dinghy to and tie up at the KYC dock. The challenge of getting into town is access. Dry-land alternatives to walking the two-mile trip are limited, with no reliably available rural taxi service. If the timing is right, there is dinghy access to the town dock by mid-tide, but do not tarry on the way home, as the mudflats extend quite a way out when the tide is ebbing.
Photo: Tradewinds Market
Provisioning
Tradewinds offers a comprehensive food/beverage/alcohol selection as well as a Hannaford’s-related pharmacy. 15 South St., up the hill past the Congregational Church and library. (207) 374-5137
Other options include the Blue Hill Co-Op and Merrill & Hinckley’s.
Photo: Marlintini’s
Dine Out
Photo: Peter Guttman, peterguttman.com
Hikes
The main attraction for many is a climb up the mountain. Several trails can be accessed in town, just behind the Post Office. On a clear day, the 1-2 hour hike is rewarded with magnificent views — from Camden Hills (west) to Mount Desert (east) and the entire coast in between.
Walking up the hill to The Tradewinds Market is also a significant hike on a hot summer day!
Photo: Jay Woodworth
Other Things To Do
OUR REVIEWS
What CCA Members are saying:
Having sailed in Blue Hill Bay for over seven decades, I could justifiably be accused of serious bias when I state that, in my opinion, this area remains one of the true uncut gems of the Maine coast.
Dan Coit
Blue Hill is the prize that awaits you after a beautiful sail up the bay. Well-protected with beautiful views, a terrific grocery store (a 5-mile walk up the hill, but only 1/2-mile down :-)), and friendly people. Just be careful to time your dinghy ride to the town dock carefully–within a couple hours of high tide and you won’t get stranded on the flats.
Jane Babbitt