Introduction
The Town of Vinalhaven, Maine, is not just an island town in the State of Maine—it is also the town representing the largest of the offshore islands of the State of Maine officially accessible by state ferry from the mainland.
Ferry Service
As the largest island—and only island with over one thousand permanent residents—accessible by ferry from the mainland, the Rockland-Vinalhaven ferry must maintain two (2) separate vessels on the same route, compared to one (1) for every other ferry route.
Fox Islands
The Island of Vinalhaven is, though the largest and most populated of the Fox Islands, often considered coextensive with the Island of North Haven to the north, with the combined Fox Islands providing insights into Eric Hopkins and his close and extended family, as descendants of Theophilus Hopkins connected to Vinalhaven.
Infrastructure
Within the Island of Vinalhaven, not a single state-maintained highway services in any direction nor at any particular location. Though ferries do not directly serve access to North Haven nor to Matinicus Isle, the ferry to the mainland city of Rockland provides access to the other aforementioned MidCoast islands.
Places to Stay
While the Wild Sea Rose Inn and Boutique is located within the island on Main Street, the Tidewater is typically the most popular of the official places to stay on the island. The Tidewater is more centrally located along Main Street, though smaller bed and breakfast sites also exist within the surrounding areas.
Tourist Attractions
Like the Hopkins Wharf Art Gallery and adjacent North Haven Gift Shop on the island to the north, the Island of Vinalhaven provides access to a candy shop on the west side while also providing access to similar amenities associated with island life, including the Homeport Family Restaurant in the same building. The Sand Bar and the Island Wave are two other restaurants located on the island, though on the eastern end of Main Street and the village area.
Interestingly, the Maine State Vinalhaven Ferry Service is known for ferries departing early, so visitors are encouraged to arrive at the ferry terminal at least somewhat in advance to ensure a smooth experience on the return to Rockland on the mainland.
Perhaps the most important of the attractions on Vinalhaven are the High Street attraction of the Vinalhaven Historical Society and the Main Street attractions of the Dot and Millie’s Restaurant, the New Era Gallery, and the historically significant Galamander.
Additional Amenities
The Island of Vinalhaven also provides the Vinalhaven Community Brewery for most of those at or above the age of twenty-one (obviously), as well as multiple coffee shops and smaller stores of different specialties. The Marston House represents the antique market of the island, while Carver’s Harbor Market attempts to be as authentic an island grocery store as possible.
Vinalhaven Public Library
The Island of Vinalhaven also provides access to free Wi-Fi by way of the Vinalhaven Public Library. The Wi-Fi of the library has been reported as a largely unique amenity that separates the library area from the significantly slower pace of life elsewhere on Vinalhaven.
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