Long Island, Maine: Plan Your Beach Time and Boat Ride
Long Island, Maine, is easy to overlook from the Portland ferry schedule, tucked between busier stops. It is worth a whole summer day. Plan it as a slow day of beach time, quiet roads, and island food, with a good boat ride on each end. Long Island sits in the middle of Casco Bay, a short trip from Portland. It rewards people who arrive with a loose plan and comfortable shoes.
Long Island is a year-round island town with a sandy beach, calm roads, and a bakehouse deck, and you reach it by public ferry or private boat. That choice of boat shapes your whole day. The ferry runs on a posted schedule. A private boat runs on yours, and it can add a lighthouse or a fort on the way.
What the island feels like, how you get there, and how many hours you give it ashore are the three things that shape the day. Weather and seasonal hours handle the rest.
What Is Long Island Maine Like in Summer?
Long Island in summer is a small, busy community that grows well past its winter size. The island is about 3 miles long and 1 mile wide. Casco Bay Lines puts its winter population at about 200, swelling to over 1,000 in the warm months, while the town's own estimate for peak summer is closer to 900. Many residents, summer and winter, work in the lobster industry.
A Working Island Community, Not Just a Beach Stop
The first thing to know is that people live and work here all year. The island has a small K-5 school, a post office, a library and art gallery, and its own fire and rescue service. A handful of seasonal food spots and a variety store serve visitors.
That shapes how a visit feels. The roads are shared with residents, work trucks, and golf carts. Lobster boats come and go from the harbor. Visitors who slow down and wave back tend to have the best day.
It also means some things run on island time. Shops keep seasonal hours, and nothing here is built around big tour crowds. We think that is the island's charm.
What Will You Notice When You Arrive?
You will notice the quiet first. After Portland's busy waterfront, the harbor at Long Island feels calm and open. You hear gulls, outboard motors, and not much else.
Next, you may spot the old military buildings. During World War II (WWII), Long Island served as a fueling depot for the U.S. Navy. Many of those buildings still stand near the shore. The town has since turned several into a town hall, fire station, and community center.
You will also see that the island is made for slow travel. There are no bike rentals, so bring your own bike on the ferry if you want to ride. A local golf cart rental company serves visitors too, so call ahead if you want one waiting.
How Do You Get to Long Island from Portland?
You reach Long Island from Portland by the public ferry, a water taxi, or a private boat. Each one works well. The right pick depends on your schedule, your group size, and how much of the bay you want to see on the way.
What to Expect from the Public Ferry
The ferry is the most common way to get there. The crossing takes roughly 45 minutes, and the Island Institute's 2022 profile counted up to nine boats a day. Trip times can run from 30 to 60 minutes, based on the route and how much cargo is aboard.
A few things help ferry riders plan:
Bring a bike if you want to ride. The island has no bike rentals.
Leave the car in Portland. There is no regular car ferry, though barging service is available for vehicles.
Check the current schedule. As of fall 2026, the fall schedule runs September 8 to October 12, and the winter schedule starts October 13 with fewer trips.
Plan your return first. Pick the boat home before you pick your lunch spot.
The ferry is a fine way to travel. It is steady and affordable, and you ride with islanders heading home with groceries.
How a Private Boat Changes Your Day
A private boat puts your group in charge of the clock. With Bird's Eye Maine, you have the boat and Captain Matt to yourselves. You leave from Fore Points Marina on Portland's working waterfront aboard a 2021 Sea Hunt Ultra.
Standard private Casco Bay charters are listed at $175 per hour for up to six guests, with trips starting at two hours. Most groups book three hours. Trips can run as long as eight hours if you want a full day.
If you just want a ride out and back, our water taxi service lists Long Island at $75. That suits groups who want to set their own arrival time and spend most of the day ashore.
A private trip also lets you shape the route. On the way out, you can swing past the forts and islands closer to Portland. The run itself is often quicker than the ferry, since there are no other island stops, but wind, sea state, and any sights you add change the timing.
When Does an Extra Stop Make Sense?
An extra stop makes sense when you have three hours or more and want more than one kind of scene. Long Island is a beach-and-walk day. Pairing it with a history stop gives the trip some range.
Fort Gorges is the most popular pairing. It sits in Portland Harbor, so it fits well at the start or end of the day. Our guide to a Fort Gorges boat tour explains what you see there.
Peaks Island is another option on the way out. For a longer day with several landings, our notes on island hopping in Casco Bay help you plan.
Some guests also want a look at Portland Head Light. It adds time, so mention it early if the lighthouse is on your list. Landings always depend on weather, tides, and whether the shore or dock is open to visitors.
What Can You Do Once You Arrive?
Once you are ashore, you can spend time at the beach, walk or bike the roads, and watch the water. None of it needs tickets or a strict plan. That freedom is the reason to come.
Spend Time at Sandy Beach
Sandy Beach is the island's best-known spot. The sand there is famous for "singing" under your feet as you walk. It is a soft squeak that kids love to test.
The beach is a good place to settle in for a few hours. Pack a blanket and some shade, and plan to wade. Casco Bay water stays cold even in August, so most people dip in and out.
If you want a beach with almost no one else on it, a private drop at a smaller island beach is another choice. We wrote about private beaches reached by boat for groups who want that kind of day.
Walk the Island's Roads and Shoreline
Long Island's quiet roads are made for walking and biking. Traffic is light, and you pass cottages, woods, and glimpses of the bay. The island also has extensive conservation lands, a large pond, and trails.
Here is what makes a good walk:
Start early, before the sun gets strong.
Wear real shoes, since some shore paths are rocky.
Carry water, because stores are few and far between.
Stay on public roads and trails, and respect private property.
The shoreline changes a lot as the tide moves. At low tide, you see rocks, seaweed, and tide pools. At high tide, the same spots fill in with water.
Look for Wildlife and Coastal Views
The water around Long Island is a good place to watch birds and marine life. On our trips across the bay, guests have seen seals, ospreys, herons, eagle nests, and porpoises. Sightings are never promised, but the chances are good on a calm day.
Look for seals on exposed ledges at lower tide. Watch the sky over the shoreline for ospreys.
The views work both ways. From the island, you look out over the bay and the other islands. From the boat, you see Long Island's shore, the harbor, and on some routes, the lighthouses near Portland.
Where Can You Eat and Learn About Island Life?
The Bakehouse is the main place for a sit-down meal, and the island's history explains why the town feels so tight-knit. Plan meals first, since choices are limited.
Check Summer Hours Before Planning Lunch
Byers & Sons Long Island Bakehouse is the lunch stop most visitors aim for. It serves local seafood, deli sandwiches, hand-stretched pizza, and baked goods like pies, cookies, and hand-cut donuts. The lobster roll uses lobster bought from island lobstermen.
Timing is key. The Bakehouse is a summer operation, and its Visit Maine listing describes it as open daily from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day. Season dates and hours can shift from year to year, so call ahead at (207) 766-2512 before you build a day around lunch.
A few other food options help round out a visit:
Boathouse Beverage and Variety sells groceries and gifts near the wharf.
Hardshell Cafe offers ice cream and lobster bakes for groups by reservation.
Fern Park Lobster Company sells local lobsters on the island.
The Bakehouse deck looks out over the water and is known for sunsets, so an early-evening boat home can be worth waiting for.
How Did Long Island Become Its Own Town?
Long Island split from the City of Portland and became its own town on July 1, 1993. It was the first new town in Maine since 1925. The change came after Portland reassessed property in the early 1990s and island tax rates tripled.
Islanders decided local control was the best way to protect their year-round community. The new town started with little money. Over time, it rebuilt old WWII structures into public buildings. That story shows up all over the island, from the fire station to the community center.
The Long Island Historical Society keeps that history alive. If you want to go deeper, ask locals or check with the society about visiting hours before your trip.
How Should You Plan Your Time Ashore?
Plan for three to five hours ashore for a relaxed day. That gives you time for the beach, a walk, and lunch without rushing to the boat.
How Much Time Should You Allow?
For a short visit, two hours covers lunch and a stroll. Three to five hours adds beach time and a longer walk or bike ride. A full day works if you want to slow down.
On the ferry, match your plans to the posted departures. With a private boat, you set a pickup time with the captain. Families with young kids often like shorter stops with more time on the water.
What Should You Bring for a Beach Day?
Pack for a day with few stores and fast-changing weather. The water feels cooler than the town does.
A light jacket, even on warm days
Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat
Water and snacks, especially for kids
A towel or blanket for the beach
Cash for small shops
A bike, if you want to ride
On our boat, snacks and drinks are welcome, but no glass or red wine. There is no bathroom aboard. Private bathrooms are at the marina, and our boat trip FAQ covers other details. Families should share kids' ages and weights ahead of time so the right life jackets are ready.
What Could Weather or Shoreline Access Change?
Weather and tides decide what happens on the water. Wind, fog, and waves can change routes or delay trips. Tide levels affect where a boat can land safely.
We watch the weather closely and do not go out in unsafe conditions. If we cancel for weather, you get a full refund or a new date. Past guests have had a trip moved to the next day when a summer storm rolled in.
Ferry riders face their own changes too. Service can shift in bad weather, so check before you leave the mainland.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Is the Ferry Ride from Portland to Long Island, Maine?
The ferry ride takes about 45 minutes. Trip times range from 30 to 60 minutes based on the route and cargo. A private boat can be quicker since it makes no other island stops, but conditions and any stops you add change the timing.
Can You Bring a Car to Long Island, Maine?
There is no regular car ferry to Long Island. Barging service is available for vehicles, but most day visitors walk, bike, or rent a golf cart. Bring your own bike, since the island has no bike rentals.
Is Sandy Beach Within Walking Distance of the Ferry Landing?
Many visitors walk to Sandy Beach, while others bike or use a golf cart. The island is only about 3 miles long, so no spot is very far. Wear good shoes and carry water for the walk.
Are Restaurants on Long Island Open Every Day in Summer?
The Bakehouse has listed daily hours from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day, though season dates can shift. Other spots keep their own hours, and Hardshell Cafe lobster bakes need a reservation. After Labor Day, call ahead before you plan a meal.
Can a Private Boat Trip Include Long Island and Fort Gorges?
Yes, a private charter can pair Long Island with Fort Gorges. Fort Gorges sits in Portland Harbor, so it fits well at the start or end of the day. Landings depend on weather, tides, and shoreline access.
What Happens If the Weather Changes on the Day of My Boat Trip?
If weather makes the trip unsafe, we cancel and offer a full refund or a new date. We check the forecast closely before every departure. Captain Matt will reach out to help you find a new time that works.
Leave Time for Both the Island and the Ride
The best Long Island day gives equal time to the island and the trip across Casco Bay. The island offers singing sand, quiet roads, and a lobster roll on a deck. The ride gives you forts, ledges, and harbor views you never see from land.
If you want a simple day, take the ferry and bring your bike. If you want to set your own pace, or add Fort Gorges or Peaks Island on the way out, a private boat fits better. Either way, pick your return time first and plan lunch around seasonal hours.
To set that return time yourself, call Captain Matt at 207-632-9369. Bird's Eye Maine will plan the ride out around the hours you want on the sand.
