York Harbor
Last edited by:
- Nick Orem
- April 11, 2025
- 1:31 pm
- 0 comments
Region:
Photo: Marshall Jarvis
York Harbor is a small, well-protected harbor about halfway between Cape Elizabeth and Cape Ann. The town is attractive with many well-kept historic buildings and inns around the waterfront. The harbor is often busy with limited mooring and dockage spaces. With no anchoring allowed, you are encouraged to call ahead.
Approach & Cautions
Photo: Joan Jarvis
From the north, head for Nun “2” and then turn west to enter the harbor. From the south, leave Nun “2SR” marking Stones Rock to port and follow the deepwater line until you get to Can “3” at the south side of the entrance, then turn west and follow the marked channel staying in the middle until you get to N “8” marking the southern tip of Stage Neck. There you will make a sharp turn to starboard. If the tide is running hard, watch that it doesn’t push you to one side or the other, and be alert for other traffic in the channel heading seaward. Leave G “9” to port, and you will be in the harbor. CAUTION: The tide swirls around in the harbor, so boats go every which way. If there is a large boat on a mooring nearby, you might be wise to check the distance. We bumped in the middle of the night one time when our 44′ sloop bumped stern to stern with another boat swinging in the opposite direction. It resulted in quite a fire drill.
An experienced local sailor tried departing the harbor before high tide. It didn’t work, and he ended up waiting for high tide anyhow. Then he departed for the Caribbean. Photo by Joan Jarvis, who took the picture and then called his wife.
Docking, Anchorages, or Moorings
Anchoring is not allowed in the harbor, so you will probably need to pick up one of the town moorings. The town maintains several moorings available on a first-come-first-served basis. The moorings are right at the entrance, so they’re easy to find. Call the harbormaster, Forrest Brenske, at 207-363-0433 or VHF radio to check availability. See the town’s website for complete details.Dockage (up to 8-foot draft) may sometimes be available at Donnell’s Marina on the north side of the harbor, adjacent to the Agamenticus Yacht Club, but you must book in advance (207-363-4308). You can get gas and diesel at York Harbor Marine Service, though vessels with drafts over 6 feet will have to plan to fuel at mid- to high-tide. YH Marine has services for smaller, shallow-draft boats but not larger cruising sailboats.
VHF
Harbormaster Ch 16 and 9
FUEL
York Harbor Marine Caution: 6-foot draft at low tide
WATER
York Harbor Marine Donnell's Marina
ELECTRICITY
York Harbor Marine for smaller boats
SHOWERS
York Harbor Marine
LAUNDRY
York Harbor Marine
WIFI
Inquire via Harbormaster York Public Library
PUMP OUT
Not available No discharge rules enforced
SERVICES
York Harbor Marine Donnel's Marina (limited services)
TRASH
By special arrangement with Harbormaster
MEDICAL
York Hospital 1 Loving Kindness Way, York Harbor Open 24 hours · (207) 363-4321
MORE BOAT AMENITIES
Donnell’s Marina and York Harbor Marine Services have limited service capabilities.
Getting Ashore
Photo: Marshall Jarvis
Getting ashore via dinghy is best arranged via the harbormaster or Donnell’s wharf or the Agamamenticus YC. AYC suggests if you are arriving by dinghy after 6 pm, please tie up on the back (street) side of the docks–to the right as you look at the shore–keeping the front of the dock open. Contact: AYC (207) 363-8510.
This photo is looking from the Stage Neck condos across to York Harbor Marine and the Dockside Restaurant.
Photo: Courtesy of Hannaford stores
Provisioning
Photo: Stage Neck Inn's Shearwater Restaurant used by permission
Dine Out
There are several good restaurants, all within easy walking distance. The Dockside Restaurant is next door to York Harbor Marine Service on the harbor’s south side. On the north side, within an easy walk from Donnell’s Marina, both the York Harbor Inn and the Stage Neck Inn offer fine dining. Fat Tomato Grill, across the road at 241 York St, offers simple fare. The Bagel Basket, also in the village at 280 York St, is open for breakfast, lunch and coffee. And as you walk back to the boat, you just happen to pass Village Scoop Ice Cream.
Photo: Bella Goldendoodle Gilfix, [email protected]
Hikes
There are three delightful and easy walks in York Harbor: All three walks start near the town dock — across the street, you’ll find a signpost marking the trails.
Photo: Old farmhouse and barn courtesy of Old York Historical Society
Other Things To Do
The Old York Historical Society has meticulously preserved numerous buildings and properties. The buildings are a short walk (1 mile) up York Street from the harbor.
OUR REVIEWS
What CCA Members are saying:
If you need to pull in somewhere along Maine's southern coast, York Harbor is a very protected spot...but you need to plan ahead in order to obtain a mooring. The walk into the village is about one mile, where you can explore the historic district or get WiFi at the library.
Jane Babbitt
York Harbor is a convenient place to stop between Cape Ann and Cape Elizabeth. The entrance sounds intimidating, but if you pay attention as you round Nun "8" and favor the east side as you pass daybeacon "9" you should have no trouble. I draw 7' and have entered at all tides. Once inside, the harbor is very picturesque, there's a restaurant right there and the harbormaster is friendly and helpful.
Nick Orem