Peaks Island

I grew up on PEAKS ISLAND on weekends with my Mom , from 1957, to 1968, I lived in PORTSMOUTH NEW HAMPSHIRE, we use to stay at the AVENUE HOUSE, owned by HENRY HOAR. When we became teenage we had friends that would meet us at the 7:30 pm boat. I'm coming back to the ISLAND for a day in SEPTEMBER, WE'RE driving from JACKSONVILLE, N.C. to PORTSMOUTH NEW HAMPSHIRE, and staying at WALLIS SANDS BEACH for a week or so, my family are buried at FOREST LAWN CEMETERY in SOUTH PORTLAND. Also , I'm a descendent of what was known as THE LIBBY MANSION, WICH is now known as the VICTORIA MANSION, I will be going there, one last time. I'm much older now, and just make the trip any more. This will be my last trip HOME.

Excellent summer place to stay

If you want to spend some time in a picturesque setting try Peaks Island. A ten minute ferry ride from Portland Maine.

Great place to spend a Sunday afternoon

A fun and expensive crossing over to peak Island.

Round trip ticket was pretty cheap! I'm still shocked that people live on the island. There are a few shops and a museum, an art gallery on the island. Beautiful views and extremely peaceful. Dog friendly as well!

A little sleepy island a short ferry ride from Portland. Very calm and relaxing here with a very few restaurants to choose from. Rent bikes or golf carts but be warned you have to rent them for at least 2 hours. It's a great place to go for a walk or sit and have a drink while taking in the views. Definitely worth the trip if you're after a relaxing outting.

Beautiful island, peaceful views, friendly people. We took the Casco Bay Line ferry to Peaks Island during our off-season trip to Portland. Because we didn't go during the season there weren't large crowds of people. However that also meant there were no businesses open to tourists. So we couldn't rent a golf cart, or check out any of the restaurants or shops. But that being said, it was still a lovely day. We just walked all around the island, taking pictures, waving to the locals, and taking in the gorgeous scenery. It was a lovely few hours and then we hopped back on the ferry, which only took 15 mins to get back to the city. A nice day for a long walk on a quaint and lovely island.

A very cute island that I've heard great things about and wish I loved it more. Unfortunately the day I came an enormous cruise ship docked in Portland. The ferries didn't seem capable of handling crowds of this magnitude. The system was extremely backed up and getting to the island ended up being a nightmare. There's both pedestrian tickets and car tickets. Car tickets are $75 for round trip ticket. We got to the dock at 11am and didn't get to the island until 3pm. However upon arrival the island is super cute with a few hidden gems but not sure it was worth the struggle of getting out there as there wasn't much to do other than look at the scenery. It's very residential and mostly houses with little to no activities or things set up for tourism. There's one bike rental and golf cart rental service, however you need to book in advance to reserve. There's a cute ice cream shop and some good seafood. Would be great if you had a longer stay in Portland to come by for a half day but wouldn't come to Portland just for this. Overall wish I had a better experience with the ferries!

Lots of fun. Easy ferry ride from Portland. Biked the island and had the most amazing pizza!

I've yet to see an unattractive part of Maine, and Peaks Island is a jewel in a beautiful state with four breathtaking seasons and something great to see all year round. Go anytime, but make sure to visit during the Summer...you won't want to leave. So many great places to eat. On my first visit, I went with a group to the Inn on Peaks Island. Nothing fancy, nothing on the island is fancy, but the food is delicious. Try the Cockeyed Gull Restaurant for great fish and chips. You'll cherish any time you spend on Peaks Island and you'll want to go back again and again.

I was in Portland for a day and decided I would rather go to an island than stay in town. You can take a ferry over for $7.70. I only spent a few hours here but got in the most I could in the time I had. You can rent bikes or golf carts. I chose to just walk. It is a great place for that. I was able to walk to the other side of the island from the ferry landing and got to enjoy the beauty of the beaches. There are many rentals here where you can come and spend a week. Perfect way to enjoy a beautiful afternoon while in the area.

What a beautiful little island to spend the day with your family! The island is a short ride in the ferry. To my surprised the cost of the tickets was very inexpensive. My boyfriend and I spent the day there just geocaching. We walked the entire outer circle of peaks island! There are geocaches everywhere! There are so many beautiful beach and trails to walk. Make sure to bring a bottle water with you because the only store to buy water is right after you get off the ferry. If you are looking for a good place to hike and small restaurant to dine. I highly recommended eating at Cockeyed Gull.

This was the only island we visited while in Portland. The Casco Bay ferry ride over was very scenic. You get a view of the three lighthouses on the coast. Headlight Lighthouse is far, but you can see its light. Bug Light is closest and you can also see Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse next to Willard Beach. A view of Fort Gorges is closest on the return ferry. We arrived at the island before 10am in order to be sure we could rent two bikes and a golf cart. It was perfect in that everyone in our group of five got a turn to drive both. Like all the other reviews state, it is four miles around. They give you a map and you aren't sure which direction to go and where to spend the most time. Let me help you! The south part of the island was the most scenic, so head north and when you get to the rocky pretty southern part spend the rest of your hour rental time here. We did it the other way around and cruised past some parts as we were worried about making it around in time. Instead we had 15 minutes extra. While waiting for the return ferry we walked down the stairs to the beach and put our feet in the water. Kids were jumping off the pier!

I highly recommend going to this place if you have a few days set-aside in Portland. Best seen by bicycle, the island is served by a Ferry that's only $7.70 per person and $6 per bicycle for a round trip. When you get there, you should immediately take the road around the outside of the island. There are a great many stops to make to explore the seashore and enjoy the breathtaking views. Even with stops, you can make it around the island easily in just over an hour. The ferries run about every 2 hours, so leave yourself a little time for an ice cream or buying a T-shirt at the store right by the docks. A great morning excursion for a memorable and scenic portrait of Maine!

Peaks Island - a 15 to 20 minute boat ride off the coast of Portland (it's also considered one of the city's neighborhoods, though it's tried to secede six times) - is just one of the 200+ islands located in Casco Bay. Forever ago, it was known the Coney Island of Maine because of its (former) abundance of amusement parks, theaters, etc. In the 19th century it was also an important outpost during WWII. If you're visiting Portland - or a local looking to do something different - you can take a ferry for just under $8 (yes, that's roundtrip). I believe it's a four mile loop to walk the whole island, and despite it's proximity to Maine's biggest city... it feels like it's worlds away! Don't miss: - the Umbrella Cover Museum (created and curated by Nancy 3. Hoffman in 1996, it's home to... that's right... umbrella covers. The mission of the museum?: "The Umbrella Cover Museum is dedicated to the appreciation of the mundane in everyday life. It is about finding wonder and beauty in the simplest of things, and about knowing that there is always a story behind the cover.") - Fifth Maine Regiment Museum (a Civil War memorial and cultural center) - Battery Steele (an old military fort which you could spend hours exploring, and if you're lucky - you might even hear people playing music [because the acoustics are so amazing]) - Tours of the island via golf carts or bikes or kayaks - Beer/food from The Inn on Peaks Island, Cockeyed Gull, or Peak Island House - Reggae Fest on Sunday's at Jone's Landing - Cute little beaches (where you might fine stone art, like usable chairs) - Geochaches - And a WHOLE LOTTA scenic ocean views (there's a pretty stunning sunset view over the city of Portland from Peaks!) Get your backpack, stuff it with grapes, cheese, crackers, nuts, a bottle of wine, some water, and your camera, and hike to one of the beaches on the other end of the island. Have yourself a perfect Maine picnic!

It took forever to get to Peaks Island and it was very crowded.

My friends and I stayed at Peaks for a long weekend. We were looking for someplace relaxing and beautiful, and we were not disappointed. To get to the island, you take a short (20-30 min) ferry from Portland. As of summer 2019, round trip costs were about $80 per car, and $8 per passenger. We took our car over, but in the future, we'll probably leave it on the mainland. There is no need for a car on the island. You can rent bikes or golf carts to get around; and everything is really walking distance. From the island, there are beautiful views of the Portland sky line. The residents are as friendly as can be. There aren't a ton of restaurant options, so I'd suggest packing food. If you're looking for a place with tons to do, you're barking up the wrong tree. But if you enjoy relaxing in a screened porch, with beautiful water views, then I'd definitely recommend Peaks!

Peaks Island is a fun place for a day trip or hike while visiting Portland. The island features public restrooms and plenty of hiking trails at Trott-Little John Park. If you take the main trail loop, you'll pass by the abandoned Battery Steele fort, which has been decorated with street art. Super cool! On top of a bit of history, you'll also get great views of the ocean, cute local homes, and a fun ferry ride along the way! The ferry requires a ticket for your dog or bike in addition to your own ticket. There are no food sales on the ferry, but there is a vending machine on one of the lower decks. You can even ferry your car over. Once boarded, you are free to roam throughout the ferry.

It was a chilly, off/on rainy day but we had a great time exploring Peaks Island. We rented a golf cart and had a fun time touring the island. Battery Steele was interesting but the tunnels were dark and hard to explore. The homes on the island were gorgeous and fun to look at. There wasn't anywhere to eat though. Ferry ride was only 20 mins long.

Peaks Island.. took the ferry to peaks Island, did the 3+ miles loop. We decided to walk, it is beautiful, the homes, the water, we stopped at the Maine 8th regiment museum and lodge to check out the history that emanates from this area of the country, it was very interesting.. If you get a chance stop and check it out or make a reservation and stay.. we chose to walk, but you can bike or rent a golf card or even drive if you like.. it's a nice walk, we had time to stop and check out the ocean and the wildlife, the stacked rocks that people leave are pretty cool. If you have a minute you can stop and check them out and maybe stack some yourself.. pretty cool way to spend our day..

This is by far my favorite island in Maine! You just have to know what and where to go to. Biking would be fun; golf cart would be nice... and the views are just spectacular! :)

Nice way to spend the morning. Took the ferry across the water and picked up a couple bikes to ride around the island. Stopped at the old fort ruins and walked down the long hall (super creepy ). Nice change of pace from the city.

If you're in Portland spend the $7.50 round trip fee to visit Peaks Island. This place is a great way to get away from Old Port for a few hours of quiet site seeing. You can rent a golf cart or a bicycle and bike around the island. The perimeter of the island is roughly 4 miles. It takes about 40 minutes more or less without stopping on a golf cart to get around the entire island. There are so many places you can stop to just walk around and climb out on the rocks to enjoy the view. If you go after Labor Day please call and check the local businesses on the island as they have limited hours now that summer is over. Our golf cart rental guy was super nice and actually let us keep the cart for an extra hour after closing since we got to the island a little late. I recommend getting to the island around noon just so you have more options. A lot of the shops seem to close between 4-6 pm now that summer is over.

There is public ferry service to many of the bigger islands in Casco Bay. The most popular one to go to is Peaks Island. It is also the cheapest fare at $7.70 for a round trip per passenger. The crew will take your ticket for the boat ride to the island. The trip back is free (i.e. included). You can also drive your vehicle on to the ferry to drive around the island but the price depends on peak or off season and much more than for a single passenger. The boat ride is a short 15 minutes. On a warm day, the sea breeze is very comfortable and relaxing. The ferry and the island provide great views of the Bay. Once you are on the island, it is worth it to walk a bit on Island Avenue to the left and New Island Avenue on the right. When you go to the left on Island Avenue, make sure you get to City Point Road where you will get awesome views of the two islands north of Peaks Island, Little Diamond and Great Diamond. When you walk on New Island Avenue, head over to Whitehead St. where you get beach and scenic ocean views. I walked quickly and spent an hour on the island before catching the ferry back. However, you can definitely spend half a day renting a golf course or bike to explore the island. Seashore Drive that runs on the south and east side of the island would be a good road to bike. There are longer boat/ cruise rides around the bay but the public ferry to Peaks Island is the most economical. In addition, they have sunrise and sunset rides. If you are visiting and planning a trip to Portland and looking for recommendations, feel free to message me for my itinerary. You can also find the electronic copy through the link my profile.

A visit to Peaks Island came heavily recommended by our family and friends when I mentioned that we would be visiting Portland, ME. We reviewed the ferry schedule and planned our visit. When we had mentioned this to some of the locals they had stated that it is considered 'off season' so not all stores/restaurants may be open. With that in mind, we decided that we were going to explore the island and bring our own drinks and snacks. When you are dropped off by the ferry there are several signs that entice you to rent a golf cart or sign up for an island tour. If you walk up the hill, there is a sign that directs you to a small place called Brad's Bike Rental & Repair. If you have the ability to bike the island that would be my suggestion. There are only a few up-hill areas so it is not all that strenuous but allowed us to explore the entire island at our pace all while getting a little exercise. Brad's bike shop also provided us with a map that was very helpful, although a lot of the places will provide similar maps. In addition to the beautiful sights of the water, we also explored Battery Steele which is an abandoned military site. We parked our bikes in the brush and walked down a path that took us to the building. It was quite amazing to see. We even climbed to the top to get a better view. It was a fun adventure that we would do again.

For the $8 price, you should check this out. Bring a bike with you if you have one. Pack lunch and ride around the island and enjoy the beauty of this Maine island. If your going in Peak summer- pre-rent a golf cart. The wait can very long if they run out of carts.

You take a ferry for $7.70 from Portland Maine, takes about 20 minutes. If you like a sleepy island full of woodsy residential homes then this is for you. Not much to do here otherwise. Locals were rude and condescending. One bathroom for the public on the entire island. Only 2 restaurants and they are wildly overpriced. I rented a bike which was cool but it had very weak breaks. The locals have made the beaches private which is outrageous. Best to eat before you come here or bring food in from Portland, or you will get ripped off here. Glad I went but not sure I would go again.

We came during the off peak season so many things were not available to us. We walked around and found a little path to the beach and enjoyed the scenery. It was a nice way to spend the day!

It was a beautiful day, so my husband and I decided to go to Peaks Island. Took the ferry, which was a pleasant ride. (We waited a long time to get it because we were not familiar with the schedule.). Once there, we rented bicycles from the only bike shop. The bikes are not fancy or new, but were fine for our purposes. We rode the perimeter of the island twice. Stopped at a little outdoor pizza stand and had a margherita pizza, which was good and then ice cream at the local ice cream shop, which was also good. There are not a lot of things to do per se, but the views are amazing and worth the trip. Spent about 3 hours there.

Arrived and had an amazing time with friends. Then walked down the road with friends to a beach. I asked "where are the bathrooms?" "Go to the brick building", said a friend. I went into a brick building, was told to FUCK OFF four times while I apologized profusely. Ended up being escorted by the fire brigade to a bathroom because the locals were so obscenely rude.

Cute little island. Only $7.70 round trip per person. You can take your car as well if you want. The ferry ride is about 20 minutes. Once you arrive you can rent a golf cart or a bike to go around the island. We rented bikes and it took 45 minutes to casually go around the island. After exploring the island, you can wait for the ferry while enjoying delicious ice cream or lobster roll near the terminal!

My husband and I took a ferry to the island with no advanced reservations. We decided to rent bikes and biked around the island. It really was a beautiful ride - not too hilly and fairly short. There is really not much there to do but take a short loop around, see the cute cottages and the beautiful views.

Peaks Island is located in the state of Maine very close to Portland. It was recommended by the locals on our recent trip to Portland, Maine. The island provides historical significance and spectacular views of the bay and several lighthouses, it also has very well constructed vintage wooden homes that are usually used as getaways for vacation and timeshares. You would need to take a ferry in order to get to the island. You're able to visit the island with your own personal vehicle or as a pedestrian. Depending upon if you bring your own vehicle or if you're pedestrian and how long you wish to stay in the island for usually varies your ferry fee. We went as pedestrians for about two hours so it was less than 20 bucks for both my fiancé and myself. While there you can either walk the island by foot or you can rent bicycles or golf cart for a very low fee. The island is very small and you can visit all sections of the island in about one hour. It has a very hometown feel to it honestly the island looks pretty much like a neighborhood. The streets are paved with directions and street signs with numbers the houses are one and two stories with backyards, front yards, neighbors, stop signs the works! honestly it feels like suburbia. The houses you can tell our old but well constructed Barry cottage by the sea type structures with abuse that lead to the ocean. Island has its own grocery store gas station everything you need. Most of the locals were telling us that several of the houses are owned by individuals who rent them out seasonally since the island has amazing weather. This appears to be accurate as while we were driving around in the golf cart most of the houses had vehicles with many different tags from different states. One of the things I enjoyed from the island was the food and the views. Many different food trucks were right by the port when the ferry drops you off. Seafood at its finest from fish tacos to lobster rolls, scallops, seafood hush puppies The works and everything at a very reasonable price. The views from the island are amazing you can see the mainland perfectly along with several lighthouses, Portland is full of many different lighthouses it's perfect scenery for pictures. We must have taken more than 100 shots facing the mainland, the ocean, beaches, I'm telling you beautiful scenery! giant trees and everything you can possibly imagine that you can frame and put on the wall. For the money it was a very nice couple hours we spent at the island, we tried local food, took beautiful pictures and also learned Island served as boarding for many soldiers and a lookout post during our Revolutionary war. Great visit!!

This island was a really nice escape from the city of Portland! My boyfriend and I came here on the Fourth of July for a few hours to explore. From reading the reviews on Yelp, we expected to walk a lot, which we did. We did walk more than expected and got a bit sunburn along the way. Not a lot of shade as you walk Seashore Avenue along coast, but my oh my such beautiful views and lovely houses! Since it was the 4th, we came across a lot of people celebrating. Every house and person we passed said hello or waved! The vibe was awesome! Everyone was in a good mood and very friendly! I felt like I went back in time and it all felt very Americana! As we walked, we got to experience their 4th of July parade, which is just a bunch of islanders, locals and vacationers, who decorate their vehicles and drive around the island. Again, everyone was happy, smiling, and waving! My heart was filled with joy! After our walk, we came back to the port to grab a bite at The Inn and catch the ferry to go back. Totally worth it if you want to escape the city and do some walking and exploring. I mean, why not? The ferry is super affordable at only $7.70 per person round trip. Wear good sneakers and wear sunscreen if your planning on walking the island. It'll take you about two hours though. Not really any shopping or eating but there's enough of that in the city of Portland.

I'm not sure why everyone recommends this. The ferry ride there and back was our favorite part. The Island provides some pretty views, but so does the rest of coastal Maine! The bikes we rented were rickety as heck, and the main drag was a neighborhood of mostly dilapidated houses with some cute cottages mixed in. The few restaurant options were outrageously overpriced. If u do go here, plan an hour max! But honestly, Is recommend just ferrying there and back for the lovely boat ride. We saw seals and weather was amazing. Bring a jacket bc it gets chilly on the water even if super hot on land.

Lovely little island! Came here for a family day out and wasn't disappointed. We ordered Cart from mikes carts. Two hours $50 not bad at all! Fun day went to see the tunnels at battery Steele worth it! Fun day and great for families!

No boat in the area? Hop on the ferry for a mere $7.50 roundtrip and explore Portland's surrounding islands, Peaks, specifically. Perfect if you want to get out of the "city" for a day or night. On Sundays they offer what they call, a Reggae Sunday at Jones Landing, just to the left of the ferry terminal. Five dollars to get in the door and then drinks and food are on you. There's a large deck to sit and listen to the music (or dance if you're feeling loose!) and a small lawn area down below to play cornhole and enjoy the extensive Casco Bay view. The island is small enough to take a walk around if you think it's a good day for some exercise. There's a decent grocer with the necessities if you'd like to pick up some snacks and drinks and have a picnic at the surrounding beaches. Some of the beaches are private, but there are also plenty of outside, public areas as well. Peaks is an all around fun trip. A must go, especially for someone "from-away."

Beautiful and highly walkable. Make sure to check out the old fort....Make sure to bring a flashlight! The island has a cute coffee shop and a bar. Regaee Fest ever Sunday during the season is great! But there is a steep cover and the music is more big band than regae...

I have amazing memories of this place from nearly a decade ago. I loved going in summer or October or May (as long as it is not dead of winter) and it is a great place to bike around. Very peaceful.

We wanted to visit one of the Islands off of Portland, and Peaks was recommended and we liked the fact that it was only 20 minutes away and came back every hour or so. Unfortunately, it was a rainy, cold day, so it wasn't as fun to walk around. When we got to the island, all of the golf cart rentals were closed, or you had to call a number to get to someone, so we decided to just walk it. I don't think we got very far and only saw about a quarter of the Island I think, before we decided to catch the next ferry back to Portland because the weather was not ideal. We did stumble upon the Fifth Maine Regiment Museum (a Civil War memorial and cultural center) and a nice man gave us a tour of the house. He was a descendant of civil war veterans, so that was cool. You can actually reserve rooms and stay in the historical house during the Summer. I would try to go on a Sunny day, as some of the places were closed due to the weather.

We took the ferry with our bikes (there is a charge to bring bikes) and biked the island. There was a great art gallery, a place to rent bikes and golf carts and a few restaurants, but that's about it.

Great place to go for relaxing and calm family vacation. Not the place for families that need constant entertainment. Rent some bikes, find some sea glass, dare to swim in the freezing water, go exploring in the bunkers, and enjoy some ice cream at the shop! My third time coming here with my family and each time we enjoy our stay and the great lobster all around

We took the ferry over and had a lovely afternoon. We rented bikes, bought some picnic provisions, and biked around, enjoying the natural beauty as well as the cute houses. We found a nice little spot for a picnic in the back bay, then biked back and caught the ferry back to Portland. It was quiet and lovely.

Peaks Island is beautiful. Rent a bike and ride around the island. Visit Battery Steele and take a lot if pictures.

The ride over is a nice adventure and only takes 15 minutes. The Casco Ferry Line is really well run and the terminal is spanking clean. The ferry's do leave right on time (if not a minute or two early by my watch) so don't be late. I would love to be able to live here in the summer as it offers a mellow laid back kind of lifestyle. As a tourist visiting for the first time, however, I was a little surprised at how not tourist friendly the island is. There is only one public restroom under the stairs of the parking lot and it is not in great shape. There was no way to dry your hands after washing them, and I cannot imagine how this one bathroom serves the public in the summer. Meanwhile, right across the parking lot, is a big gorgeous building that houses the water company. Really?? I would think that someone would have thought to put in a public area with bathrooms and showers (unless of course they don't actually want tourists coming over to the island, which is a really possibility) rather than using it for the public works. Okay, so we got off the ferry and followed a herd of people to a beach a few minutes walk away. It is a lovely little beach, although I cannot imagine what it looks like in season or how it accommodates the public. Again, there is no bathroom anywhere near the beach, so I'm guessing people make do, which is a disgusting thought. There are a couple of restaurants, an ice cream shop, a bike rental (which is so cool as it is an honor system this time of year and you can take a bike and leave money in the till.) There is also a reasonable golf cart rental. The island tour looks great so might do that next time. We actually stumbled on the library and talked to one of the librarians who told us to buy sandwiches at the grocery store and walk to a nearby stretch of beach. It was a fun way of seeing the island. We ended up back at the ice cream shop and at a soft serve as we waited for the ferry ride back. As we were sitting in the chair with two toddler children, a pickup truck came rolling onto the sidewalk. Apparently one of the locals delivers packages and feels it's fine to drive his truck right up to the front of the building with no regard for pedestrian safety. As I was walking back from the bathroom, a large dog came barreling down the hill at me. When I asked the owner to call his dog, he snottily said, "he's just running to the beach." I then pointed to the HUGE sign that says, "keep animals leashed at all times." Apparently there are not actual police anywhere around as the locals think they can do whatever they want without consequence. All in all, this is a place worth visiting. I do have to say that while some of the locals were friendly, as anywhere, some were a bit crabby and curt. Not everyone is super-friendly and happy to see the tourists piling off the ferry, although I would think the ferry would not exist without the tourist trade.

A beatiful natural island with some houses. It's very occupied in the summer mostly. On the winter, just some crazy people live there, because you have to take a ferry to get there or get out of there. It's really cold on the winter but on the summer it's almost the paradise. You must have a house there!

Today friend waited 2 hours in hot sun to get on ferry. not much to do but bike or walk. crowded. no real shopping.

We took the 10:15 AM ferry to Peaks Island and walked around the 4-mile loop. Most people rented bicycles on the island and rode the loop but it was very walkable. The back bay portion of the loop is especially scenic. There are a couple of restaurants on the island but we took the 12:45 PM ferry back to Portland as it was getting crowded.