Note: On September 27, 2023, three historic waterfront buildings in Port Clyde burned. The Monhegan Boat Line building, the Port Clyde General Store, and the Dip Net restaurant were reduced to ashes. The Boat Line has rebuilt. Colby College has purchased the property. See this article for updated information.
Port Clyde is a great place to stop briefly for supplies and a walk. It can be a busy place with the Monhegan Ferry coming and going plus the large lobster/fishing boat fleet.
Photo: Mackenzie Lyman
There are multiple ways to enter Port Clyde. From the south, you can follow the route of the Monhegan ferry and come in between Allen and Burnt Islands following the buoys carefully; then go straight up the middle between Hupper Island to port and Marshall Point to starboard, minding the red nuns and green cans. From the east coming from Muscle Ridge Channel or Tenants Harbor, just after passing Mosquito Island to starboard, turn to starboard (to the NW), heading in towards Marshall Point. Then curving around Marshall Point (to starboard) with its iconic lighthouse, this will bring you into the Port Clyde channel with Hupper Island on your port side.
If coming from the west or down the St. George River, you can also enter Port Clyde’s “back door” north of Hupper Island. Pass either side of the small island (Raspberry) with a house on it. There’s a buoyed channel to the west of Raspberry Island, but the depth is only 6 feet at MLW. For the adventurous, the route on the east side of Raspberry is unmarked but slightly deeper. In addition, you must weave through the moored fleet of lobster boats.
If the wind is blowing hard from the south or southwest, perhaps Maple Juice Cove is a better choice for the night but, generally, Port Clyde is a well-protected overnight anchorage. Lyman-Morse has partnered with Colby College, the new owners of the waterfront buildings, to provide mooring services that include restrooms, showers, and WiFi. Reserve at Dockwa. Wharf renovations are expected to be completed by November. Ryan Cline is the harbormaster for both Port Clyde and Tenants Harbor (207-542-2709).
Photo: Maggie Salter
On the outer side of the town dock and the former general store docks, there is good depth and a handy place to buy fuel. However, it is often busy, and it could be hard to get a large boat alongside. There seems to be ample depth on the outer part of the docks — but keep a sharp eye on the state of the tide. Squid Ink Coffee will continue to operate under its current ownership. The Barn (adjacent to the Seaside Inn) and the Dip Net food truck will both be open and continue to operate this summer. Village Ice Cream/Port Clyde Bakery offers pot pies, quiche and chowder in addition to ice cream and baked goods. There is an excellent walk to the Marshall Point Lighthouse, where Forrest Gump finished his eastward marathon.
OUR REVIEWS
My personal favorite is to visit the ice cream store just up the hill from the general store and Monhegan ferry; then to walk up the street, seeing an old New England town with its galleries and inns. This used to be a solid fishing town but has been discovered by the summer crowd, so the houses are fixed up and upgraded -- most of them in good taste.
Cabot Lyman
