North Haven offers quiet island life rooted in agriculture
Off the coast of Maine, North Haven is a quiet residential island in Penobscot Bay where the pace is slow and the community is close. Once part of neighboring Vinalhaven, the 12-square-mile island became its own town in 1847, and its flat terrain and fertile soil made it a farming island. Today, North Haven is home to around 400 year-round residents, though its population grows in the summer. “There’s a long history of people living here generationally,” says Kris Davidson, broker/owner with Davidson Realty who has lived between North Haven and Vinalhaven her entire life. “But there’s also a summer resident history. People love it because it’s more pastoral and there’s beautiful original architecture.” The island’s setting is one of simplicity, as rural roads, minimal signage and preserved land shape the landscape. Public access is limited to three daily ferry trips to and from Rockland, and a water taxi service can transport locals to Vinalhaven. “People dart back and forth between the two islands,” Davidson says. “We share resources. There may be programs for kids on one island, and you may work on the other.”
The village center blends local food, art and community
North Haven’s walkable village center near the ferry terminal hosts a handful of local businesses that serve both residents and seasonal visitors. The Landing offers casual handhelds like lobster rolls in a relaxed patio setting, while Calderwood Hall—a brewery housed in a shingle-style home—serves wood-fired pizza and craft beer. Nearby, the North Haven Gift Shop carries locally made items and souvenirs, and Hopkins Wharf Gallery showcases rotating exhibits from Maine artists. The village also includes Waterman’s Community Center, complete with a theater, event space and a coffee shop. The center offers programs and events for all ages, both inside its walls and outside. Each August, Community Days is a volunteer-led event with food, games and social activities that bring the island together.
Further inland, the North Haven Inn & Market doubles as a grocery store and inn, as well as an occasional live music venue. Turner Farm, one of the island’s working farms, sells fresh produce and hosts weddings overlooking the water. Another local operation, North Haven Oyster Company, sits on a tidal inlet and opens its oyster market to the public year-round, except in the winter. While the island’s commercial offerings are modest, they reflect a strong sense of place—businesses are locally owned, often housed in historic buildings, and designed to serve the community without disrupting the landscape.
Homes span historic farmhouses, cabins and coastal retreats
Residences on North Haven are tucked along narrow, quiet roads that wind through open fields and wooded acreage. About 70% of residents own their homes, and the median sale price sits near $2 million, reflecting the island’s appeal as both a year-round community and a seasonal retreat. Historic styles range from farmhouses dating back to the 1700s to Greek Revivals that began appearing in the 19th century. More recent builds often take on Colonial Revival or classic New England shingle-style designs, while rustic cabins are designed to blend into the natural landscape. Prices vary widely—from around $300,000 for a 500-square-foot cabin to more than $8 million for a waterfront farmhouse on hundreds of acres.
Coves, trails, and quarries offer ways to explore outdoors
Outdoor recreation on the island is shaped by its coves, trails and preserved shoreline. Several inlets around North Haven offer access to sandy beaches and rocky outcroppings, often just a short walk from homes. On the west side, Pulpit Rock provides a scenic hiking trail with views of the water, while Mullen’s Head Park on the eastern shore features forested paths and beach access. At low tide, locals can cross over to Burnt Island and explore its trails as well. The North Haven Golf Club offers a semi-private 9-hole course surrounded by open fields and ocean views. “Recreation is very focused on the water,” Davidson says. “There’s also a yacht club with tennis courts. Many people have boats.”
North Haven Community School serves island students
Students that live on the island can attend North Haven Community School, which receives a C rating from Niche. Around 50 students span grades kindergarten through 12, making it the smallest public school in the state. North Haven is also one of the only Maine island communities that offers a public school, as older students usually need to ferry to the mainland.
Commuters rely on the ferry to access the mainland
With no traffic lights or public transit, Main Street and Shore Road serve as the primary routes around the island. To reach the mainland, residents rely on the North Haven Ferry, which makes the 12.5-mile trip to Rockland three times a day: morning, afternoon, and early evening. "There is no private flying to North Haven, but people can fly in from Knox County Regional Airport in Owl’s Head,” Davidson says.
Written By
Mary Beth Greene
