The Most Amazing Sea Kayaking Adventures of Swan’s Island, Maine

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Swan’s Island in Maine is a perfect remote area to explore by sea kayak. Swan’s Island sea kayaking has all that Downeast Maine is famous for—isolated beaches, spruce-covered islands for hiking, wildlife in the sea and the air, and a lighthouse.

Where is Swan’s Island?

Swan’s Island is a remote Maine island located 6 miles southwest of Mount Desert Island and the bustling activity of Acadia National Park. The island seems light years away from the cars lining up for a glimpse of Thunder Hole or the crowds at Sand Beach in Acadia.

There are about 350 permanent residents on Swan’s Island. Seasonal residents push the number to around 1000 in the summer. The island is hilly with many coves and harbors that offer amazing Swan’s Island sea kayaking adventures. Bikers will enjoy the island roads as well.

The Wabanaki and Penobscot people were residents of Swan’s Island before colonial times. The rich resources of the land and sea supported them. Shell middens (ancient trash dumps) reveal clam, oyster, and mussel shells, plus the bones of waterfowl, fish, and deer. In addition, many ancient stone tools and arrowheads have been found on the island. The Lobster Museum near the ferry has a nice collection of them.

Samuel Champlain visited the island’s main harbor and saw the many campfires of the Native American inhabitants. Early nautical charts use his French name for the island, “Brule-Cote” which translates to Burnt Hill. The name evolved into Burnt Coat which is the current name of the major harbor and lighthouse on Swan’s Island.

Swan’s Island presently supports an active lobstering community. Lobster buoys ring the island and the sound of lobster boats at work is in the air.

How to Get to Swan’s Island

The Swan Island ferry transports passengers and cars across Blue Hills Bay from Bass Harbor. Run by the Maine state ferry system, the 40-minute crossings occur about 6 times a day in the summer. Check here for the ferry schedule and fares.

In the summer and weekends, the ferry can be very crowded and since it only takes 17 standard-size cars, you may not get on the crossing you want. You can make reservations—there are 4 available and you can reserve 30 days in advance. The other way to ensure a space is to get there early and get in line. We found that an hour and a half before the ferry departure was enough. But on summer weekends, you may have to wait for the next ferry after you are in line and don’t make it on the one you have hoped to board. Bring a book. Enjoy the beautiful area around the ferry. There is a takeout restaurant right across from the ferry terminal.

Where to Stay on Swan’s Island for Sea Kayaking Adventures

Accommodations are somewhat limited on Swan’s Island. However, with a bit of digging, there are some great places to stay.

Air BnB accommodations on Swan’s Island

We found an Air BnB cabin that was perfect as a base for sea kayaking on Swan’s Island. The sunsets from the west-facing deck were amazing–especially for a sunset connoisseur like me.

I love finding the perfect Air BnB accommodations and I’ve been lucky to find some beauties. This waterfront cabin was cozy and charming. It was nested high over the shore for outstanding views of Hen Island in Seal Cove. The shoreline is a bit steep but we launched our kayaks there and also used the recreational kayaks at the cabin. It’s a remote setting down a long driveway–a great place to unplug! There is everything you need to fix meals (think lobster pot) and the video collection would give Netflix competition.

Other accommodation options on Swan’s Island for Sea Kayaking

The Harbor Watch Inn is the only motel on the island. There are several VRBO cottages on Swan’s Island that would be lovely for a family vacation.

Other accommodations include booking a place on Mount Desert and doing day trips. I don’t recommend that if you want to explore multiple sea kayaking areas around Swan’s but for a one-day kayaking adventure, it would work just fine.

Camping near Swan’s Island

Camping on the islands around Swan’s Island is another option. There are several Maine Island Trail Association (MITA) islands available for remote sea kayak camping. I will describe these islands in the suggested Swan’s Island sea kayaking trips section.

For more information on remote and self-contained camping with sea kayaks, refer to my post based on my many years of experience sea kayaking the coast of Maine.

The Best Gear for Fantastic Sea Kayaking Camping Adventures

Swan’s Island Sea Kayaking Trips

There is an unbelievable amount of coastline and islands to explore around Swan’s Island. These recommended paddling areas will get you started. These are excellent day paddling trips for people who use island accommodations as a basecamp. They can also be turned into camping trips to spend more time out on the islands.

There are incredible coastlines and remote islands to explore by sea kayak around Swan's Island in Maine. Click To Tweet

Buckle Island Harbor Sea Kayaking Adventures

The quintessential Maine sea kayaking experience can be found at Buckle Island Harbor. Coast in your boat amid tiny islands with rounded rocks like elephant backs. Rockweed swirls in the ocean tides and sailboats’ white triangles grace the horizon. Lobster buoys litter the water, and nary a house is in sight.

The centerpiece of this kayak journey is three islands in the quiet harbor surrounded by conservation land. Hen, Duck, and Buckle Islands offer a good half-day of exploring. Trails on Buckle Island wind through spruce glades past fairy houses that other visitors have built in a fit of whimsy.

Since our Air BnB was right across from Hen Island, we did an evening paddle out to Buckle for dinner on the island. We made a campfire below the high tide line and cooked up our meal of foil dinners and s’mores. We also roasted a fish caught on the way over to the island. It was another one of those times when memories were made outdoors.

A note on campfires. Practice scrupulous Leave No Trace when having a fire on an island. In most cases, plan to cook over a camp stove and save campfires for a special occasion. The fire should be built on sand below the high tide line so the incoming tide will obliterate any signs. Collect dead and downed wood or driftwood. Ensure that the fire is completely out because the conifer-covered islands are very prone to igniting. After dousing the fire, scatter the charcoal into the ocean to leave the site clean. Disperse any leftover wood.

And make sure you have your headlamp when you paddle back at dusk.

Put-in for Buckle Island Harbor

If you are not staying in the Air BnB near Buckle Island Harbor, there is still a convenient put-in place on Maine Coast Trust Conservation Land in the northwest corner of the island. From the ferry follow the main road, Atlantic Road, across the island. Go past TIMS (The Island Market & Supply). Just past the town dump, the road will turn to gravel. Take the first left-hand turn after the gravel starts. The road will be narrow and rocky. Then, take the next left turn and travel down to the put-in. It’s a lovely spot for a picnic or a hike as well as to get your sea kayak into the water. The put-in is best at the upper part of the tide.

Northern Islands Sea Kayaking Adventures

The islands to the northwest of the ferry dock are a wonder to explore. There are great views of the mountains of Mount Desert island and the Deer Isle archipelago.

From the ferry paddle through the island gems of Crow, Phinney, and Orono. For a longer paddle head north to the bigger islands. Pond Island is a Maine Island Trail Association (MITA) camping island. Members of MITA are welcome to camp at the designated MITA tent site and explore the shore and forests.

Put-in for the northern islands

An all-tide boat ramp is beside the Swan’s Island state ferry dock in Mackerel Cove. Be mindful that the ferry turns around so be careful of wake when you launch here. Park in the lot near the Lobster Museum.

You could also use the Buckle Island Harbor put-in to access these islands.

Burnt Coat Harbor Islands Sea Kayaking Adventures

The islands at the mouth of Burnt Coat Harbor are another fabulous paddling destination. Wilderness islands, working lobster boats to wave at, and a picturesque lighthouse.

We put in at the town wharf on the Minturn side of the harbor, circumnavigated Harbor Island, and stopped at islands along the way.

A local favorite stopping place is Big Baker Island. Residents of Swan’s Island visit to picnic or hike. Several expansive cobble beaches and a magnificent meadow are found here. It really doesn’t get much better if you are looking for spectacular islands.

Big Baker Island is a MITA island open for camping. Space for about 3 tents is in a sunny spruce grove on the northeast side of the island. Join MITA for access to this amazing island camp. If you are looking for an island to base on for a couple of days to explore this part of the Maine island trail, Big Baker is it.

After hiking and exploring Big Baker Island, we continued our paddling trip around Harbor Island and back into the harbor past Hockamock Head. The common southeast winds can create some bouncy refracting waves. It’s understandable why ships had a hard time entering this constricted channel and needed a lighthouse to guide them. Stay outside the channel markers to avoid the busy traffic in this working harbor. Views of the Burnt Coat Harbor Lighthouse are stellar here.

Put-in for the Burnt Coat Harbor Islands

The town wharf is the put-in for this harbor paddle. The landing is located on the Minturn side of Burnt Coat Harbor. Take the one-way Minturn loop road until you see the wharf. Park in the lot with lots of old boats and trailers.

Marshall Island Sea Kayaking Adventures

Marshall is one of the largest undeveloped islands on the Maine coast. Located in Toothacher Bay southwest of Swan’s Island, this island gem has 10 miles of hiking trails along with gorgeous beaches. It’s also a camping island conserved by the Maine Coast Heritage Trust. There are 4 camping sites with a 2-night limit available to all.

It’s about a mile crossing from Hat Island off West Point on Swan’s to Marshall Island. Therefore, paddlers should have experience with open water crossings and ensure stable weather conditions before attempting to paddle there.

For some advice on how to sea kayak safely in challenging water, refer to my post on paddling the Bold Coast of Maine.

Sea Kayaking the Bold Coast of Maine

Put-in for Marshall Island

Carrying Place, the narrow passage between the two large sections of Swan’s Island, is a great launch place. The beach on Toothacher Cove is accessible on all tides.

For a slightly longer but very scenic trip to Marshall, you could launch at Buckle Island Harbor and paddle along Swan’s Island Head.

Other Outdoor Adventures on Swan’s Island

Burnt Coat Harbor Light Station

Make sure you visit the Burnt Coat Harbor Light Station on Hockamock Head. There are hiking trails that take you through a magical forest of tree-hanging lichen down to sandy beaches. The story of the preservation of the lighthouse makes it worth it to show up when they have tours. For a special treat, you can rent the lighthouse keeper’s apartment for a stay. Don’t worry. You don’t have to turn on the light–it’s automated.

Biking on Swan’s Island

The hilly quiet roads of Swan’s Island beg to be explored by bicycle. With many gravel roads ending at a delightful beach or a prominent head, having a bike to explore is exhilarating. We biked out to Fine Sand Beach early one morning and had the beach to ourselves. Be aware that roads are not well marked. I just expected to be lost for part of each bike ride and I was never disappointed.

Fishing and Seafood

With a borrowed lure from a kind local angler, fishing was a success on this trip. Trolling behind the kayak yielded fish for the grill. Mackerel and herring were delicious additions to our meals.

If you are not fishing, you can still get amazing seafood on the island. Our favorite place for lobsters and clams was a place called Underwater Taxi located right next to the town wharf. We could pick up dinner at the self-serve hut after taking out at the boat landing.

We also got huge lobsters at the Swan’s Island Fisherman’s Coop. It’s a handy stop along the road when you are coming back from visiting the lighthouse. Finally, TIMS (The Island Market & Supply) has lobsters they will cook for you, plus a fine selection of island-harvested fresh oysters.

The Quarry

Freshwater swimming is delightful in the quarry on the island. Scabbling around on the granite blocks is fun for all ages. The Quarry is on the one-way Minturn loop road just past the town wharf.

Wrap Up of Sea Kayaking Adventures of Swan’s Island

Attention sea kayakers! Swan’s Island is a prime destination for coastal paddling. Whether you base in one of the cozy island accommodations or camp out on an island surrounding Swan’s, you will want to spend some glorious days on this remote wild island far removed from the bustle of Bar Harbor environs. If you are not an avid sea kayaker, there are plenty of other adventures to be had on the island too. And quiet coves for ocean paddling just in case you want to try it out.

You need to bring your own boats and bikes as there are no rentals on the island. There are plenty of sea kayak companies on Mount Desert to pick up rental boats and transport them on your car top to Swan’s Island.

If you love sea kayaking and other outdoor adventures, by all means, visit Swan’s Island to get your fill of outdoor activities. Accompanied, of course, by a side of lobster.