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Photo: Dale Bruce, with Frank and Libby Simon piloting
This is the biggest little city in the Penobscot Bay area. It has services galore for visiting yachts and a lively arts community. This, along with several fine restaurants and wide array of provisioning options, makes it the ideal place for getting things done and enjoying yourself simultaneously. Rockland is a transportation hub with bus service from Boston and Portland and a regional airport (RKD) in Owls Head. There's also talk of adding train service via Amtrak, which now goes only as far as Brunswick.
Photo: Jeffrey DeBevec
Rockland Harbor offers an easy entrance. The breakwater on the northern side includes a distinctive lighthouse at its end. Anchorages are available in numerous locations shown on the chart, and the harbor has several mooring fields. Rockland has ferry service to Vinalhaven and North Haven and a bit of commercial traffic. These ferries now show on AIS. The marked channel runs toward town; then the mooring fields are divided at a mid-point designated by red buoy “R4” and by the Coast Guard Station.
Designated anchoring areas are shown on the Rockland chart, and there is ample space for anchoring. Tucked behind the breakwater, up near Jameson Point, is the best option, but in settled weather the anchorage in the south corner is good, too. In our experience the harbor has a sticky mud bottom that grabs hold of both your anchor and its chain.
VHF
Harbormaster 9, 11, and 16 Rockland Yacht Club 9 Journey's End 9 & 18 Knight 9 Landings 9, 11 & 16 Safe Harbor 16
FUEL
Landings Marina and Journey's End
WATER
Public dock offers water for $10/day Journey's End Knight Marine Landings Safe Harbor
ELECTRICITY
Public dock offers 110V for $10, 30 amp for $15 and 50 amp for $25. Landings Safe Harbor
SHOWERS
Public dock offers showers--$2 token for 8 minutes. Journey's End Knight Marine Landings Safe Harbor
LAUNDRY
Public dock has one washer ($1.50) and one dryer (pay $1.00 at the office). Journey's End Knight Marine Landings Safe Harbor
WIFI
Harbormaster's office has WiFi for those sitting nearby, but it doesn't reach the docks. Safe Harbor Rockland Public Library, 80 Union St.
PUMP OUT
Free at the public dock if they have room for you to tie up. The Landings Journey's End Safe Harbor
TRASH
Dumpster at the public dock. Marinas will take customers' modest trash.
MEDICAL
In addition to Pen Bay Medical Center on Rt. 1 in Rockport, PBMC has a walk-in clinic at 22 White St., open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week Coastal Medical Clinic offers limited care at 269 Old County Rd, , all the way out Talbot Ave. (207-593-7925), open Monday-Thursday 8:30 to 4:00.
MORE BOAT AMENITIES
Photo: David Wilson - Flickr
If you’re anchored out, you can land your dinghy at the town dock. It’s free for up to two hours or $5 per day.
Photo: Jess's Market
Photo: Claws
There are too many fine restaurants to list here, but local favorites are Home Kitchen Cafe, for breakfast and lunch; In Good Company, known for its extensive wine list and exquisite food; Rustica, for wonderful Italian food; Ada’s Kitchen, fresh pasta, pizza, and craft cocktails; and, worth a taxi ride for their award-winning farm-to-table dining, Primo. And a place that always seems to have a line at the counter is Claws, at 743 Main St. Other recommendations from cruisers: Park St. Grille — seating inside spaced and outside they have about 5 or 6 tables. No reservations, big menu, good Mexican food and margaritas! Located at One Park Drive, in the Maine Lighthouse Museum building Archers on the Pier — easy walk from the town dinghy dock. They have a deck and inside seating spaced out. No reservations but will move you up the list if you let them know you are coming soon. Big menu.
Photo: Photo courtesy of Camden Harbour Inn.
One notable local hike is the walk out to the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse and back, a 1-1/2 mile hike. Don’t try it when high winds wash the high tide over the breakwater! The city offers some walking maps, including one for spotting trees! Nearby Monroe Island, at the top of Muscle Ridge Channel across from Owls Head, is a Maine Coast Heritage Trust preserve with excellent hiking trails. It’s about a 4-mile kayak or dinghy ride from Rockland.
Photo: Courtesy of The Farnsworth Art Museum
Rockland hosts the North Atlantic Blues Festival (July 13-14, 2024), Friendship Sloop Days (July 18-20, 2024), and the Maine Lobster Festival is planned for July 31 to August 4, 2024, plus many live shows at the Strand Theater, aircraft and auto events at the Owls Head Transportation Museum, and lots of Farnsworth Art Museum and art gallery events. The Maine Boat & Home Show has been canceled for this year, but plans to be back in 2025. Bixby Chocolate Factory will do take-out orders for their incredible ethically harvested products. They’re at 1 Sea St. Place, between Journey’s End and Hamilton Marine, but first place your order online.
OUR REVIEWS