Chebeague Island, Maine: How to Get There and What to Do
Chebeague Island is the largest island in Casco Bay without a bridge to the mainland, a working island town with quiet roads, a nine-hole golf course, a historic inn and a sandbar that links it to Little Chebeague at low tide. You can get there on the long public ferry from Portland, the short ferry from Cousins Island in Yarmouth, or by private boat, including our water taxi to Chandlers Cove or Stone Pier.
Great Chebeague is about three miles long and a mile wide, home to around 400 people year round and several times that in summer. The name is usually translated from the Wabanaki as "island of many springs." It has a school, a church, a boatyard and lobster boats on their moorings, and the pace slows the moment you step off the float and catch the smell of low tide.
At Bird's Eye Maine we run trips across Casco Bay from Portland's working waterfront, and Chebeague is one of the islands we head to most. Here's how to choose your landing, plan a realistic day and time the walk to Little Chebeague so you're not racing the tide.
How Do You Get to Chebeague Island?
There are three ways over, and which one suits you depends on where you're starting and how much of the day you want to spend traveling.
The Public Ferry From Portland
The public ferry from Portland's Old Port stops at other islands on the way and lands at Chandlers Cove. It's a scenic ride through the bay, but it takes a good chunk of a day trip, and the cove is a fair distance from the Inn and golf course on the far side of the island. Check the current schedule and fares with the ferry before you go, since timetables change with the seasons.
The Ferry From Cousins Island
The short ferry from Cousins Island in Yarmouth is the crossing islanders use, at around 15 minutes. It lands on the island's northwest side, close to the Chebeague Island Inn. Parking at the Cousins Island end is limited, so most visitors leave their car in a satellite lot on Route 1 in Cumberland and ride a shuttle to the dock. Check schedules, fares and parking rules with the ferry operator before you travel.
Our Water Taxi to Chandlers Cove or Stone Pier
Our year-round Casco Bay water taxi runs from Fore Points Marina in Portland straight up the bay to Chebeague, with no other stops and no ticket line. We list two landings: Chandlers Cove at a listed rate of $90, and Stone Pier at $140. You choose the time, which makes all the difference for an early start or a late ride home after dinner at the Inn.
Choosing Your Landing
Pick your landing based on how you want to spend the day. Stone Pier is on the northwest side of the island, the closer landing for the Inn and the golf course. Chandlers Cove suits a group with bikes who plan to ride the whole island anyway. Tell us your plans when you get in touch and we'll talk it through with the tides in mind.
What Are the Best Things to Do on Chebeague?
Chebeague's pleasures are spread across the island, so you can easily string three or four of them together in a day.
Bike the Island Roads
Bring a bike if you can. The roads are quiet, cars are few, and drivers still give the classic Maine island wave. North Road and South Road run most of the length of the island and between them reach nearly everything worth seeing, past old captains' houses, stone walls and glimpses of the bay through the trees.
Play Nine Holes at Great Chebeague Golf Club
The Great Chebeague Golf Club dates back to 1920 and plays as a nine-hole course with water views. It's a relaxed, island-style round, and a lovely way to fill a sunny afternoon. Call the club ahead about tee times and rentals.
Walk the Land Trust Trails
The Chebeague and Cumberland Land Trust looks after several short walks on the island, including the rocky lookout at Deer Point, where you can look across to Little Chebeague and the neighboring islands. Trails are short and easy, so they fit around lunch and a bike ride. Follow the trailhead signs, leave bikes where asked and respect the private land around them.
Learn About the Stone Sloopers
Chebeague's 19th-century prosperity came from the water. Island captains sailed "stone sloops" that carried quarried granite along the East Coast for breakwaters, lighthouses and buildings, and many of the handsome old homes you'll pass were built by those families. The Chebeague Island Historical Society runs a small museum telling that story, so check its seasonal hours if history is on your list.
How to Visit Little Chebeague
Little Chebeague is a roughly 86-acre island just off the southern end of Great Chebeague, owned by the state of Maine since 1972 and kept as undeveloped public land. It's co-managed by the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands and the Maine Island Trail Association, and in the busy season a caretaker is often on the island.
What's on the Island
Today it's grassy trails, wild shrubs, small beaches and the old foundations of summer cottages. Little Chebeague once had a summer hotel, and during World War II the U.S. Navy used the island as a firefighting school. Picnicking, swimming and camping are allowed, so check the state's current rules before you plan an overnight.
Crossing the Sandbar at Low Tide
At low tide, a sandbar connects Great Chebeague to Little Chebeague, and walking across is one of the island's classic adventures. The tide controls everything here. Walking on wet sand and pebbles is slower than you'd expect, the bar floods quickly as the tide turns, and some soft patches can behave like quicksand. Check a tide chart, cross well before the water rises and leave yourself a generous margin for the walk back.
Arriving by Boat Instead
If you'd rather skip the tide math, our Beach Drop can put you ashore on Little Chebeague by boat, with a pickup time planned in advance. The listed rate for the Little Chebeague drop is $100, and you can see it alongside our other beach drops on the water taxi page. Our guide to a private beach in Maine you can only reach by boat shows what those days look like.
Where to Eat and Stay
Chebeague's food scene is small and seasonal, so plan meals ahead and confirm hours before you go.
The Chebeague Island Inn
The Chebeague Island Inn is a restored early 20th-century hotel looking west over the bay, with a restaurant and a big porch that may be the best place on the island to watch the sun go down. Reserve dinner ahead and confirm the season's opening dates directly with the Inn. If you're planning a late dinner, it's worth booking your ride home at the same time.
Cafes and Island Stops
There are a few small spots on the island for coffee, sandwiches and treats, and some close for the off season. Pack water and snacks for the trails, and call ahead if you're counting on a particular place for lunch.
Planning Your Chebeague Day
Chebeague is bigger than most visitors expect, and walking from one end to the other takes well over an hour. Build your day around distances, tides and your ride home.
On a bike: land, ride to the land trust trails and Deer Point, cross to Little Chebeague around low tide, then finish with dinner at the Inn.
On foot: pick one end of the island and stay there, rather than trying to see it all.
With kids: keep it simple with a beach, a picnic and a short walk, and let the sandbar be the big adventure.
Pack a light jacket even in July, because the breeze on the water is cooler than on land, plus sunscreen, sunglasses, sturdy shoes and a tide chart. On shore, look for the public right-of-way signs and stay off private beaches and driveways. We keep an eye on the weather for every trip and never go out in unsafe conditions, and weather cancellations get a full refund or a reschedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you pronounce Chebeague?
Most people say "shuh-BIG." You'll occasionally hear "shuh-BEEG," but islanders tend toward the first.
Is Chebeague Island worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you like biking, quiet beaches and seeing a real working Maine island. There's enough to fill a full day, from golf and the Inn to the tidal walk to Little Chebeague.
What is the fastest way to get to Chebeague?
From the mainland, the short ferry from Cousins Island in Yarmouth is the quickest crossing. From Portland, a private water taxi runs straight there without stopping at other islands.
Can you take a car to Chebeague Island?
It's possible, but most day visitors leave the car on the mainland and bring bikes instead. The roads are made for slow travel, and the island is easy to enjoy without one.
Can you camp on Little Chebeague?
Yes, Little Chebeague has campsites managed with the Maine Island Trail Association. Check current state rules for camping and fires before you go.
If you'd like more hours on Chebeague and less time in ferry lines, come over with us. Every trip is private, so it's your own boat and your own captain for up to 6 guests, whether that's a water taxi to Chandlers Cove or Stone Pier, a Beach Drop on Little Chebeague, or a longer Island Hopper day from our tours page. Call 207.632.9369 or email info@birdseyemaine.com and Captain Matt will help you plan the landing and the pickup.
