Tenants Harbor
Welcome to Tenants Harbor, Maine
ENVISION THE MOST DELIGHTFUL MAINE PORT YOU CAN IMAGINE AND YOU MAY COME CLOSE TO PICTURING TENANTS HARBOR.
This deep, roomy and protected harbor—except in a heavy easterly—features classic shoreline cottages, frame houses and granite wharves, an unspoiled village with old sail loft and church steeple, and, in season, many sail-powered yachts that seem to nestle amicably among a working fleet of lobster boats.
You enter the wide mouth of the harbor with Southern Island on your port bow. Southern is home to a long-discontinued lighthouse famously painted by the island’s owner, Jamie Wyeth, who will wave to you if he’s around. Northern Island, to starboard, features a dreamy summer cottage from long ago and is the epitome of spruce-covered Maine island, with sea-washed rocky shore and a couple of small, sandy beaches.
Beyond Northern is the aptly named High Island, and beyond that is Sandpiper, or Seavey Island, a beach where locals picnic and sometimes take a bracing dip. If it’s blowing from the east, anchoring behind these islands is a safe bet.
There are no marinas in Tenants Harbor proper, but you can usually find a free mooring by asking around or contacting Dave Schmanska, the friendly harbormaster. You can also anchor outside of the marked channel, which offers good holding ground, then dinghy ashore. There’s free tie-up along the village float.
Adjacent to the dock and launch ramp is the Cod End restaurant, which offers dockside dining with basic fare and seafood to go. A short walk takes you to the East Wind Inn, once a sail loft, and just up the hill is the Tenants Harbor General Store, where you’ll find more friendly people and a goodly supply of groceries, beer, wine and “rat cheese” (delicious despite the name).
Tenants Harbor has sweet little library with WiFi and a harbor view, and sometimes a poetry reading or live music. There’s a post office, an art gallery or two, and the Odd Fellows Hall. It’s a small town, remarkably unchanged in the past half-century or so.
If you’re up for a hike, there’s an old granite quarry where locals like to swim, and trails created by the local conservation commission. A small public beach called Drift Inn is located a few miles down the road in Port Clyde. It’s a good, if chilly, spot to swim or bring the kids.
GETTING THERE:
Charts: NOAA 13301
To reach Tenants Harbor, locate the G “1” bell, off the eastern tip of Southern Island in western Muscongus Bay. The harbor is deep (7’-39’) and free of obstructions all the way to the village landing, which has a 30-minute tie-up limit.
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There is no marina or boatyard in Tenants Harbor; however, mooring may be available via the Cod End Restaurant (see below). The nearest service and repair facilities can be found in nearby Thomaston.
- Long Cove, off the western shore of Northern Islands, offers a deep and well-protected spot in which to anchor, but beware the 2 rocks in the center of the cove. The entrance is marked by buoy R N “2”. Dinghies can be left at the village dinghy dock.
- Call: (207-372-6363)
- Email: hbrmstr@stgeorgemaine.com
- For the website CLICK HERE.
The Tenants Harbor launch ramp. Photo/New England Boating, Tom Richardson
- A concrete ramp suitable for large boats can be found adjacent to the village dock at the end of Commercial Street off Rte. 131. There is limited parking, but trailer rigs can often be left at the Odd Fellows Hall parking lot on Watts Ave. CLICK HERE to view SAT map.
- Tenants Harbor General Store (207-372-6311)
- Harborside Market (207-372-8400)
- Cod End (207-372-6782); Lobster and fresh seafood in the rough next to the village dock.
- East Wind Inn (800-241-8439); Good food served in a charming inn on the harbor. Great place for breakfast!
- East Wind Inn (800-241-8439); Cozy, historic inn with great harbor views and a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Mars Hall Gallery (207-372-9996); Fine-art paintings, sculptures and more right in Tenants Harbor.
- Roseledge Books (blog); Small independent store selling books and art in Tenants Harbor.CLICK HERE for the website.