Often passed by, this tight, well-protected, and largely undeveloped anchorage offers boats passing east or west a convenient stopping-off point on the east side of Casco Bay without having to head farther up the New Meadows River. Inside, it’s a lovely, quiet place. This harbor is home to the Small Point One Design, designed in the late 1930s by Starling Burgess, now a fleet of 33 boats that are lovingly maintained by summer residents and actively raced every summer. Vessels up to 40 feet and 6-foot draft can lie comfortably here. It’s possible for larger boats but can be a bit cozy. If the weather is calm, it’s also possible to anchor north of Goose Rocks.
Small Point Harbor
Last edited by:
- John Chandler
- April 22, 2024
- 1:33 pm
- 0 comments
Region:
Photo: Dan Hinckley
Approach & Cautions
Photo: Aerial view of Small Point Harbor entrance - by John Chandler
The channel at the north end of the harbor can be daunting to the first-timer but, once past the mudflats, access is easy right up the center of the channel to the mooring field at the south end. The Taft/Rindlaub guide has a good discussion and useful chartlet of the approach, and the channel can also be seen in the accompanying aerial picture. Although you can carry a 4-foot draft through the north end at low water, entrance is best attempted at half-tide or better, and doing so on a rising tide gives peace of mind. Once through the channel there’s ample depth up the center of the harbor.
Docking, Anchorages, or Moorings
Once into the inner harbor, you will pass the Hermit Island lobster wharf on the west side and a lobstermen’s pier on the east side. Next on the east side is a long float for use by the summer community and then three private docks. Just past the docks are several moorings in mid-channel, one or more of which is usually available for visitors. Mooring #522 is frequently available as a guest mooring, and has heavy chain and rope fastened to a 3,000+lb granite block. Others may be free but should not be taken without an invitation from the owner. Because of the recent proliferation of small motorboats moored in the harbor, anchoring can be tricky but is possible in the channel south of the mooring field.
Getting Ashore
Photo: View from the top of Morse Mountain by John Chandler
There is a small store and a snack bar serving lunch and breakfast at the extreme south end of the harbor maintained by the Hermit Island Campground. It can be reached by dinghy at the top of the tide. Otherwise, go ashore at the campground float southwest of the mooring field, and follow the road along the harbor’s west side. Other Things To Do:
Nearby Anchorages
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