Bar Harbor Island

An island
that a town
was named
after.
I dislike the star rating system for Unilocal and wouldn’t even use it if I didn’t have to. It’s so subjective that it means virtually nothing. Only the verbal description has any meaning. For a place like an island or park or beach there is no service or product; the place just is. You either appreciate it or you don’t.
Now that the editorial is over I can unequivocally say that this an absolute gorgeous island. It doesn’t matter when you go because it takes on a different persona month by month. Ocean, wood, rock and wind makes for an exhilarating combination.
You reach the island by going over a half mile long causeway. It tends to be under water a high tide so some care must be taken to manage time. Out of the vast hordes of people visiting Bar Harbor, very few actually make it across the causeway to the actual island that the town was named after. That’s too bad because it’s an incredible place that is easily accessible. It’s part of the Arcadia National Park system and is heaven for hikers or especially sea yakers that enjoy rough, cold conditions.
Once on the island you have several options. You can walk the extremely rocky beach that circles the island and be really close to the water and waves the whole time. It’s a real ankle breaker so you better have good boots. Only a couple of miles but very slow going and more crawling that actual hiking. Or you can go inland and climb to the summit. A easy hike but one that gives fantastic views of Cadillac Mountain, the town, various boats and cruise ships and other islands in the distance. Or you can hike across the island and visit the swamps, huge boulders and flora that calls the island home.
A wonderful place that is impossible to get tired of. The views are always stunning and invigorating and changes from season to season and even day to day. The island has a wonderful personality and is extremely welcoming and friendly. Just make sure you watch the tide.