Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Peaks Island

    4.2 (48 reviews)
    Open 9:00 am - 9:00 AM (Next day)

    Peaks Island Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Peaks Island

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Lisa R.

    Not really a business. lol. It's a beautiful island with a few good restaurants. We rented bikes and ride around all day. This is in August and the flowers are insane beautiful and fragrant. The views are insane! We will go back someday

    Karley M.

    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.

    Sherry T.

    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.

    Ashley O.

    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!

    Peaks Island Marina
    Jim W.

    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.

    Stephanie K.

    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.

    Jen H.

    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.

    View of Bug Light Lighthouse from Casco Bay ferry to Peak's Island
    Susie A.

    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!

    Steff D.

    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!

    Ferry port
    Megan H.

    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
    Elizabeth M.

    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.

    Biking with friends were so much fun than i would ever thought it would be in this beautiful island
    Carlo F.

    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! :)

    B E.

    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.

    Right next to where you get on/off the ferry

    See all

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 38
    Thanks 12
    Love this 33
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ken O.
    247
    872
    2215

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Scott H.
    140
    3974
    4369

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lisa R.
    51
    535
    400

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    7 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jen H.
    95
    38
    95

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Steff D.
    4989
    1260
    20038

    7 years ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rob W.
    0
    13
    0

    2 years ago

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

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Fred w.
    1
    214
    4

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of B E.
    1
    73
    29

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Megan K.
    21
    301
    16

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of M L.
    5
    60
    178

    10 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jean M.
    9
    378
    572

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dayna R.
    6
    100
    43

    9 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Carl N.
    8
    307
    0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Vinson T.
    9
    64
    208

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Peaks Island

    Review Highlights - Peaks Island

    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.

    Mentioned in 25 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Beaches 847 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Jewell Falls

    Jewell Falls

    4.2(13 reviews)
    9.8 kmNasons Corner

    This hike is a nice place to take a short stroll for the locals but not a place I would recommend…read moretourist to come. First off, it is only about half mile from parking to the waterfall. So total hike was only 1 mile. it is a WALK, not hike. Good for families with young ones. Be very aware that the mosquitoes here are super HUNGRY! I have never gotten so many bites within such a short time inside a hike! I got 6-7 bites all over my legs just from hiking here for 30 mins. My husband got 8+ bites all over his body! Luckily my little one only got 1 bite. We were all over Maine in the last 2 weeks including kayaking and out at Acadia national park. All outdoor activities and barely got any bites until now! There are other trails here too but after getting so many bites, we wanted to run away as fast as we could! I wish I didn't come here. View and waterfall are not worth it for trade off of these hungry hungry mosquitoes!! *sooo itchy* :-/ Bring bug spray if you wanna come!

    Jewell falls is a waterfall of water flowing from the Fore River and is named for Tom Jewell who…read morewas one of the founders Portland Trails and very much alive today. Did you know that Portland Trails started in 1991? He donated the land around the falls and the rest of the land the trail walls through is a mix of public and private land. You see evidence of this with many marked signs that designate private property -- good to respect these so we can continue to walk these trails. Somehow I got lost off my usual path I take and ended up going on the greater fore river sanctuary trail loop around and across the railroad tracks, but the boardwalks were great! Back to the falls, if you start at the trailhead near Brighton ave, it's less than 0.25 miles of a walk. The falls are made of horsetails of rushing water over large slabs of rock. The trails are really well maintained and there's not too many people. You can definitely still hear traffic from some parts but there are a few quiet enclaves.

    Photos
    Jewell Falls
    Jewell Falls
    Jewell Falls - My friend on the tracks at the entrance!

    See all

    My friend on the tracks at the entrance!

    Portland Head Light - Portland Head Light

    Portland Head Light

    4.8(365 reviews)
    3.9 km

    Definitely visit this if you are in Portland, especially on a sunny day. As much as the Lighthouse…read moreis iconic, the scenery around it is mind blowing. You can also take a walk along the cliff to enjoy the view from multiple directions. It is a good spot for picnic as well, and there are a couple of locations which are close to the water as well. Plenty of parking available, there are multiple parking lots along the property. Definitely recommend it.

    While in Portland for lunch, we stopped in some small shops in the area and the lovely lady at the…read moreshop recommended that we check out the lighthouse. She said it was only about 15 minutes from the shop and we decided we would go check it out. The Portland Head Light is one of their most famous light houses according to the locals. It was very cold there but what a sight! We walked round the light house, checked out the cliff sides and walked on the trail. It was a gorgeous day (freezing but beautiful) with the perfect skies for photos of the light house. We were able to read the historic plaques, see the cliffs and the water crashing below us. After visiting the Head Light, we went over to the other portion in Fort WIlliams Park and checked out the old house, military storage areas and I even went down and touched the ice cold Atlantic ocean water that was crashing on the beach. If you are in the area I would highly suggest visiting the Portland Head Light. We were there in the late evening about an hour prior to closing so the coffee truck wasn't open but they do have a coffee & gelato stand right near the Light House. It was an amazing experience and much different than light houses I have seen on the West Coast.

    Photos
    Portland Head Light - Portland Head Light

    Portland Head Light

    Portland Head Light - Lighthouse view

    Lighthouse view

    Portland Head Light - Portland Head Light

    See all

    Portland Head Light

    Mackworth Island Trail

    Mackworth Island Trail

    4.7(48 reviews)
    4.8 km

    This was such a cool park to explore. Gorgeous trail along the water and we saw a pair of bald…read moreeagles! The pet cemetery was really sweet and such a fun surprise towards the end.

    I can practically see Mackworth Island from my livingroom window, and it's a quick drive--and also…read moreone of my favorite walks in Portland. It's no secret, of course, and as other reviewers have noted there isn't much parking. For some reason I've always been lucky that way and have always found a spot (to be sure, sometimes the only open one). What I recommend--giving away secrets here!--is to aim for just before or after prime times like first thing in the morning or lunchtime. Once you're there, this wonderful little island right smack in a city makes you feel like you're miles away. The trail is less than a mile and a half but you can easily linger in the many path detours to lookout points, several of which have benches with the most marvelous views out into the Casco Bay that you can find anywhere. I have a favorite spot to take a breather with a book and a good coffee, but I'm not letting on exactly where that is : ) I also highly recommend the side paths to the pet cemetery (not Pet Sematary!) where the original owner of the island, Governor Baxter, buried his many Irish Setters and one very special horse. Check out the tombstones; it's quite moving. Also be on the lookout for the famous fairy houses (hint: there's one main area and you'll likely find random little setups hidden throughout). I don't want to ruin the sense of discovery on Mackworth--that's part of the fun!

    Photos
    Mackworth Island Trail
    Mackworth Island Trail
    Mackworth Island Trail

    See all

    Baxter Woods - fall color

    Baxter Woods

    4.7(13 reviews)
    7.8 kmDeering Center

    One of the many wonderful things about Portland is how much of the lovely outdoors we have right in…read morethe city! If you want to go for a walk in the woods but don't have time to trek to points north or west, Baxter Woods is a wonderful little escape. The woods are located in the Deering neighborhood, between Forest and Stevens Avenues. The main trail is less than a mile walk around, but you're surrounded by trees--right now, at peak leaf season, gloriously ablaze in red and orange and yellow--and it'll feel like you're miles away. Practicalities: the main entrance is on Stevens, and there's plenty of street parking; it can get busy on weekends, but I've never had trouble nabbing a spot. (That's a bit trickier on the Forest Ave. side.) I've also parked on Hartley (the residential street on the south side of the woods), and there's an entrance to the trail around the middle of that block. The trail is flat but be on the lookout for roots and rocks; there are also plenty of benches and tables and logs and other places to sit and rest or just chill out and get your forest bathing on. And since you're in the neighborhood already, I highly recommend stopping by Norimoto Bakery or Rwanda Bean coffee on the way there or back!

    I feel similar to Baxter Woods Park as I do Thorncrag in Lewiston (see here:…read morehttps://www.yelp.com/biz/thorncrag-bird-sanctuary-lewiston). What an absolutely lovely spot right in the middle of the city! It's like an unexpected, secluded oasis ("a pleasant or peaceful area") of nature. I've lived nearby for years and I only recently discovered it! I can walk from my house, across Forest Ave (definitely the scariest part), through Baxter Woods, across Stevens Ave (much less scary), and then into Evergreen Cemetery! I don't know why it took me sooooooooo long to come here; I think it's because it presents as a little sketchy. There's graffiti on the trashcan/information board and a lot of loiterers smoking at the entrance of the park/trailhead. But once you get past that, it's charming really! Baxter Woods is a 30ish acre nature preserve with loads of big, beautiful pine trees that offer shaded mostly easily accessible/walkable well maintained trails, a little pond, some streams, a meadow with wildflowers, an area that looks like it could be an outdoor stage/presentation area (there's a line-up of log benches), and lots of bird watching/bird listening opportunities! This is not a destination for tourists; this is really cool spot for locals to stretch their legs, let their dogs and kiddos play, and immerse themselves in nature. I'm excited to walk through here again to see what it looks like in autumn AND winter! Stay tuned!

    Photos
    Baxter Woods - This is such a great walk in the midst of the city!

    This is such a great walk in the midst of the city!

    Baxter Woods
    Baxter Woods - Wisdom on rocks at Baxter Woods

    See all

    Wisdom on rocks at Baxter Woods

    Pine River Pond

    Pine River Pond

    5.0(1 review)
    64.6 km

    I have missed this lake. My grandparents bought a cottage up here many years ago, and the whole…read morefamily would come during the summer. We would all be crammed into this cottage, spending time together and going on adventures like hiking Mt Chocorua, going out on the canoe on the lake, or just swimming here. I remember countless hours fishing with my dad, I think I can count on one hand how many times I actually caught anything. Or we would just lounge on the porch, or be inside reading. Maybe we would watch the news in the morning, or watch a VHS tape of a kids movie at night (no cable here, this is roughing it!) with everyone in the living room and kitchen. I remember times spent with my grandparents here. Grandma passed away several years ago, and June of this year (2020) Grandpa passed away. There was a flood of memories coming back, it was a couple of years since my last visit. I am glad I was finally able to bring my wife here to see both the cottage and the lake. We went out on the canoe but had to come back because of thunder rolling in. It was her first time in a canoe, 30 seconds in she capsized and fell in the water. I'm glad I wasn't already in the damn thing . With Pine River Pond being 5 miles long, there is so much to explore; the islands, sand bars, tributaries, coves, there is no shortage of things to explore. The weekend was my birthday, and it was nice staying with my family there. This is a beautiful lake. I can't speak for the fishing but if you have a boat there is plenty to explore.

    Photos
    Pine River Pond - Sunrise in December

    Sunrise in December

    Pine River Pond
    Pine River Pond

    See all

    Peaks Island - beaches - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...