Anchorage

Bar Harbor

5.0United StatesMaine

Shelter: NE, E, SW, S, SE
Seabed: sand, rock
Anchoring: Allowed

Anchorage off Bar Harbor on Frenchman Bay, the eastern shore of Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park, Maine.

Pontoon
Beach

Guide

Approach and anchoring

The usual anchorage lies south and south-east of the eastern end of Bar Island in depths of 6 to 78 feet over sand and rock. Depths shoal rapidly toward the bar south of Bar Island, so keep clear of it. The anchorage is open to the south-east and south; the town harbour master assigns moorings from the pier and can be raised on VHF.

Ashore

A gravel bar uncovers for about 1.5 hours either side of low water, giving a 0.4 nm walk from town to Bar Island and its 1.9 nm round-trip trail through Acadia woods. The Shore Path along the waterfront dates from 1880. Shops and provisions are in the town centre.

Story

Frenchman Bay is run daily through the season by sightseeing and whale-watching boats; the bay is about 10 nm long and 4 nm wide.

Key facts

Type: Anchorage
Coordinates: 44.39644, -68.21787 (44°23.79'N 68°13.07'W)
Country: United States
Shelter: Sheltered from north-east, east, south-west, south, south-east winds
Seabed: sand, rock
Anchoring: Allowed
Services: Pontoon, Beach
Boaters' rating: 5.0/5
Updated: July 7, 2026