The islands of northern Lake Champlain’s Inland Sea enchant visiting boaters with their pristine, protected waters, spectacular natural surroundings, and fantastic fishing.
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INLAND SEA AT A GLANCE
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The Inland Sea Story
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The islands of northern Lake Champlain Vermont’s version of the Bahamas—an emerald archipelago boasting well-protected harbors, stellar fishing, rural landscapes, and a laidback vibe.
Dockage, Moorings & Service: North Hero Marina (802) 372-5954: Full-service marina with deep-water slips and moorings. Also offers WiFi, a convenience store, a bath house, fuel dock with gas and diesel, water, pump-out and a 25-ton marine Travelift, as well as engine repair.
Saint Albans Bay Marina(802) 528-3111: Full-service marina offering slips, rentals, a fuel dock, storage, and water taxi service. Also offers powerboat rentals.
Ladd’s Landing Marina (802) 372-5320: Full-service marina with duel dock and transient slips for boats to 40 feet. Also features a bath house, laundry facilities, launch ramp, gas grills, picnic area, boat rentals, repair, service, ship’s store, and convenience store.
Launch Ramp: While many of the aforementioned marinas have boat ramps, the state also maintains free launch sites with parking. One is at Stephenson Point, just south of North Hero State Park, while the other is on Kings Bay, also on North Hero. On South Hero, you can launch a large boat at the John Guilmette Access Area.
Yet another option is the Saint Albans Bay Access Area at Hathaway Point. This concrete ramp can accommodate large boats.
Anchorages: There are no designated anchorages in the Inland Sea, so many boaters simply drop the hook in a protected, scenic cove with the proper depth and good holding ground.
DESTINATION INLAND SEA
Dining: North Hero House (802) 372-4732: Fine dining in a historic 1891 inn where visitors once arrived by paddlewheeler. The hearty breakfast buffets are hugely popular among locals.
Hero’s Welcome (802) 372-4161: Sumptuous sandwiches, fresh salads, baked goods, and ice cream. Enjoy indoors or on the lakeside picnic tables.
Shore Acres Inn(802) 372-8722: This venerable eatery is on many Vermont boaters’ bucket lists, but the views are worth the trip alone. The menu ranges from Yankee pot roast to gourmet entrees of lamb, fresh seafood, and vegetarian dishes. You won’t leave hungry!
Things To Do: Burton Island State Park (802) 524-6353: Public campground on a 253-acre island featuring a 100-slip marina with WiFi, pump-out, shore power and water, plus restrooms, showers, a snack bar, nature center, hiking trails and a swimming beach. Rowboat and canoe rentals also available. Reservations recommended.
Chazy Fossil Reef: Widely considered the oldest known diverse fossil reef in the world, Chazy Reef offers a glimpse at what northern Vermont looked like 480 million years ago when it was covered by a sea. The site comprises the Fisk Quarry Preserveand the 83-acre Goodsell Ridge Preserve. Both are open to the public and managed by the Isle La Motte Preservation Trust.
Driftwood Tours (802) 373-0022: Capt. Holly Poulin runs fishing and sightseeing charters aboard her stable, roomy pontoon boat. She’s a font of local information and an entertaining host.
Saint Anne’s Shrine(802) 928-3362: Site of the oldest settlement in Vermont, St. Anne’s is a religious and historical site with a chapel, gifts, cafe, scenic beach and picnic area.
Alburg Golf Links(802) 796-3586: One of Vermont’s prettiest 18-hole golf courses, whose lakeside setting is reminiscent of Scottish links.
Cool Shops: Hero’s Welcome (802) 372-4161: Boutique general store and deli carrying an assortment of gifts, clothing, pet treats, candy, toys, fishing stuff, and a lot more!
Island Craft Shop(802) 372-3945: Artists’ cooperative featuring a wide-ranging array of unique crafts, from fiber goods to pottery, fused and stained-glass art, jewelry, turned-wooden household items, watercolor and acrylic paintings, candles, garden ornaments and many other made-in-Vermont items. South Hero.
Where to Stay: North Hero House (802) 372-4732: Cozy, historic 1891 inn where visitors once arrived by paddlewheeler. Offers fine dining, as well.
Snow Farm Inn(802) 372 9463: Relax and enjoy the country life in a beautifully restored country farmhouse inn on a working farm on the southern shore of South Hero. The farm raises grass-fed pork and chickens, and also operates a state-of-the-art maple sugar house.