Oar Island

Vacation on an Exclusive Private Island

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Are you looking for a one-of-a-kind vacation? On Oar Island we offer you what no one else does: a private 42 acre ocean island in Maine all to yourself! Two cottages on the whole island, separated by 500 feet of forest, assure your seclusion. Whether you’re looking for a kayaking adventure, a relaxing family vacation, or honeymoon privacy, Oar Island has something special to give.
Oar Island is a sublime retreat, a private refuge bordered by almost 2 miles of glorious ocean frontage, and it can be exclusively yours.

» About
» Beautiful Oar Island
» Cottage
» Cabin
» Things to Do
» Pricing and Availability

See Oar Island on YouTube!

So near, and yet so far: Beautiful Oar Island in Muscongus Bay can be reached only by boat, but is only ¼ mile from the mainland.

The Cabin

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Both houses on Oar Island are furnished with more amenities than you might expect on a private island. Both offer full-time utility electricity, hot and cold running water, telephone, wood stove, a well-equipped kitchen, a bathroom with shower and tub, television, VCR, and radio. The Cabin is the smaller and cozier of the two houses, just right for honeymoon couples or smaller families.

KITCHEN: The kitchen includes a full size electric refrigerator, gas stove, double stainless steel sink, microwave oven, coffee maker, toaster oven, electric mixer, and an extensive collection of cookware, pots and pans of all sizes from 1 cup to 4 gallon lobster pot, hand tools, measuring utensils, baking pans, etc.

BEDROOM: The Cabin has a single bedroom with a double bed and two twin-size bunks, while older children will enjoy the “sleeping loft” overhead with 2 additional floor beds. Cots and cribs are available for extra guests or small children. 2-5 people will sleep comfortably in the CABIN. The front porch, fully screened, is just a few feet from the shoreline and offers a fine view of Muscongus Bay and other islands.

About

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Oar Island is one of the thousands of islands, large and small, that fill the rugged ocean coast of Maine. Formed and folded by continental collision, metamorphosis, and glacial scouring, the Maine coast is now a wonderful labyrinth of inlets, bays, islands, rivers, hills, and even fjords, mostly densely wooded with forests of spruce, pine, oak, maple, and birch. No wonder the Maine coast has been a prime vacation attraction for 150 years, favorite destination for Rockefellers, Cabots, Lodges, Bushes, and many others.

One of the most picturesque islands in Muscongus Bay, Oar Island can be found midway along Maine’s coast, about 1 ¼ hour drive east of Portland. It covers about 42 acres, 39 of which have been owned by the Wesson family since 1962.

On the entire island there only 2 houses – rentable by the week either together or separately. It is completely wooded, though with fine views of Muscongus Bay and its many other islands to the south, or of the Camden Hills many miles to the northeast. It has almost 2 miles of ocean frontage, most of it deep water even at low tide, an all-tides boat landing, trails, coves, wildlife, free seafood to gather, and above all complete privacy. When you occupy Oar Island, you have an entire domain to yourself. Nobody can disturb you. You have crossed the moat and pulled up the drawbridge behind you.

Although relatively small, Oar Island was once owned by the famous Samoset, one of the two Indians who welcomed the Pilgrims -- in English! -- at their Plymouth settlement in March, 1621. In 1625 Samoset sold the Pemaquid peninsula, including Oar Island, to an English settler named John Brown.

Over the years Oar Island has seen several interesting milestones. During the Revolution a gang of self-described pirates, led by a Nathanial Palmer, camped on the Muscongus Bay islands while preying on local shipping. "Commodore" Samuel Tucker, who captured more British ships than any other American privateer, later settled next door to Oar Island. In the nineteenth century Oar Island was owned for many years by the family of the uniquely-named Capt. Abdon Keene, Samuel Tucker's neighbors. In 1907 the island just to the south, Hog Island, was bought by Mabel Loomis Todd, the first publisher of the collected poems of Emily Dickinson and the adulterous lover of Emily’s brother, Austin. It is now the Audubon Society's Todd Wildlife Sanctuary. In the same year Oar Island was bought by a New Yorker, Van Buren Hagerman, the first to live there full time, who continued to own it until 1948. The present red Cottage was built by Van Buren Hagerman. And in the 1970's more modern pirates, Colombian drug smugglers, were arrested coming ashore at the local lobster pound.

Click on picture to enlarge

The Cottage

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KITCHEN: The Cottage kitchen includes a full size electric refrigerator, gas stove, double stainless steel sink, microwave oven, coffee maker, toaster oven, electric mixer, and an extensive collection of cookware, pots and pans of all sizes from 1 cup to 4 gallon lobster pot, hand tools, measuring utensils, baking pans, etc. We provide a full pantry with most food staples. The kitchen also offers breathtaking scenery from the windows as you cook your lobsters!

BEDROOMS: The Cottage has a double bed in the downstairs bedroom and two twin bunks in each of the two upstairs bedrooms. Cots and cribs are available for extra guests or small children. 6-8 people sleep comfortably in the Cottage. The front porch is partially screened and fully faces the ocean shore just 10-20 feet away. With a picnic table and benches, it’s perfect for open-air dining.

Beautiful Oar Island

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Muscongus Bay is one of the most beautiful and unspoiled areas of the rocky Maine coast, and Oar Island is no exception. By day it’s a photographer’s dream, while by night the stars shine more brightly than you can imagine — far from urban light pollution, you’ll find constellations you didn’t know existed. In fact, once you’re here, you may find you just want to sit back on the porch and drink in the scenery. However there’s more than enough to keep you busy without even getting in the boat.

Along our own rugged two-mile-long shore you can explore the crevasses and inlets, and at low tide collect softshell clams or blue mussels for seafood feasts. A walk along the shore at low tide lets you explore the tide pools where you may find starfish and sea urchins, sea anemones, and whelks. You can also gather the wild greens, samphire and orach for a salad; while the rocks are a perfect spot for picnics.

In the 42 acres of woods you’ll find orchids and sundews, and bushes of sweet wild blueberries, huckleberries, and bayberry. Look up and you’ll see osprey, kingfishers, blue herons, even bald eagles fishing and nesting. At high tide, jump in the water for a swim right outside your front door – the shoreline is only about 10 feet from the porch.

It’s easy to explore farther afield, too. From the complete privacy of Oar Island you can take one of our boats and travel around the bay, exploring the many wild and inhabited islands. You’ll probably find yourself exchanging glances with the local seals.

For a more peaceful excursion, go ocean- or freshwater fishing – ask at the local marina to find out what fish are biting and where to find them. Water-ski up the Hockomock Channel, camp in our woods, or visit the National Audubon Society wildlife sanctuary on Hog Island, less than half a mile south of Oar Island.

Things to do

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Whether you’re looking for an action-packed holiday of hiking and exploration, or prefer shopping, history, or culture, you can do it all from Oar Island.

» Outdoor Adventures
» Local Attractions

» Family Vacations

» Honeymoons

Outdoor Adventures

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» Organized Deep Sea Fishing Excursions
Black Jack Sport Fishing & Charters,
14 Williams St.
Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538
207-633-6445 cell: 207-380-5445

» Kayaking: Muscongus Bay is particularly popular with kayakers. You can join Guided Excursions run by LLBean or Bob Arledge. Old Quarry Ocean Adventures meanwhile offers guided kayak tours near the Stonington Archipelago and Isle au Haut. We also offer the chance to rent Oar Island's own kayak and enjoy total freedom – explore at your own pace and see all the coves and islands that professional trips pass by.

» Boating and Swimming
» Scuba Diving
» Lobster Fishing Cruises
» Bay Cruises from Boothbay Harbor
» Monhegan Island for its beautiful scenery and world famous art colony.
» Whale-Watching Cruises
» Camping and picnicking in the Camden Hills, with their breathtaking view of Penobscot Bay. You can also set up a tent in the woods on Oar Island or on one of the many uninhabited islands in the area.
» An awesome view of Muscongus Bay, many other beautiful islands, and the open Atlantic Ocean from the middle and south of Oar Island.

Pricing and Availability

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VACATION RENTAL RATES

US$1400 per week for the three-bedroom Cottage (sleeps 6 to 8).
Check Availability.
US$1200 per week for the one-bedroom Cabin (sleeps 2 to 5).
Check Availability.
Or US$2600 per week for both together (the entire island).

Optional power boat: $350 per week for 6-passenger aluminum
outboard skiff for Cottage, $250 per week for 5-passenger aluminum
outboard skiff for Cabin.

BOATING SKILLS ARE REQUIRED (The nice thing about an exclusive
private island is that no one can get there except by boat!)

CONTACT US

Contact us with any questions or to make a reservation:

Laurence and Louise Wesson
Weekday Telephone: +1-215-646-0690
Evening and Weekend Telephone: +1-215-646-5826
FAX: +1-215-646-4721
Email us at: laurence.wesson@gmail.com

Family Vacations

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Oar Island offers the ideal family holiday. Looking to finally get some quality time together? As many have found, the Island’s tranquility gives you the perfect opportunity to get back together as a family – whether you’re swimming, fishing, exploring the paths and shoreline together, digging clams for dinner, or simply sitting by the fire in the wood stove on misty days with one of the many books and boardgames we provide.

When the children get restive, there’s plenty in the area to keep both parents and little ones happy. See Local Attractions and Outdoor Adventures.

At the local marina you can also buy lobsters caught that day by the local fishermen, whose boats run up and down channel daily as they haul their traps. Lobster doesn’t get any fresher than this! Dine together on our screened porch overlooking the water. When darkness has finally fallen after the long northern summer day, go out to see constellations, meteors, or even the northern lights in the beautifully clear sky. Then, if the night should become chilly, you can curl up next to the fire in the wood stove.

Local Attractions

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From the local marina on the mainland you can easily visit fine local restaurants, art galleries, antique dealers, scenic parks, Pemaquid Beach and Lighthouse, and many other attractions.
The nearest supermarkets and restaurants are within 15 to 20 minutes by car.

SCENERY AND DAYS OUT

» Pemaquid Point Lighthouse on its majestic podium of granite is probably the most-photographed lighthouse in America. It has a long and fascinating history, which you can learn about in its museum, and in 2003 it became the symbol for the Maine State Quarter. It also includes an art gallery.

»At Pemaquid Beach swim and sunbathe on the beautiful white sand of one of Maine’s few sand beaches.

» Christmas Cove, where Capt. John Smith landed and celebrated Christmas in 1604.

» Pemaquid and Loud’s Island were the sometime summer home of Samoset and Squanto, the Indians who greeted the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock in 1620.

» Drives along the coastal roads to enjoy the scenery of rocky coast, ocean, and woods of Maine.

» The Camden Hills for hiking, picnicking, and a breathtaking view of Penobscot Bay.

EVENTS

» Rockland Lobster Festival

» The wild blueberry harvest in August

» The Topsham Fair

» Further Maine Events

MUSEUMS AND CULTURAL INTEREST

» The Farnsworth Art Gallery in Rockland with its special collection of Wyeths, and other art galleries in nearby towns.

» Historic Fort William Henry and the nearby archeological excavations of the 17^th century settlements in Pemaquid.

» the Indian shell heaps in Damariscotta.

» Bowdoin College in Brunswick, its outstanding art gallery, and frequent chamber music and vocal recitals.

» The Marine Biology Centre in Boothbay Harbor.

SHOPPING AND DINING

» Damariscotta (the nearest substantial town) abounds in fine boutiques.

» Wiscasset, officially the ‘Prettiest Village in Maine’, is well-known for its antique shops and art galleries. Don't miss lunch at the locally famous Red’s Eats!

» Visit Boothbay Harbor for designer outlets, cruises, museums, sport fishing, and specialty stores

» To the north, Camden offers elegant shopping and marine services for the yachting population.

» Fine seafood dining at nearby restaurants. To find nearby restaurants (and how to get to them), see the Maine Restaurant Locator

» Lobster, of course! Buy lobsters from Broad Cove Marina (where you have parked your car before boating to Oar Island) just after the fishermen have unloaded catch – as fresh as they come!

Honeymoons

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Where better to start your new life together than in the quiet, peaceful privacy of a private island? Newlyweds will find plenty to enjoy together in our romantic setting – walks in the woods, exploring together, or sitting by the wood fire in the evenings. Fall asleep to the sound of the waves gently lapping the shore, and wake as the sun spills diamonds over the water, as it rises above Bremen Long Island across the channel.

Recommended websites

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» Maine travel and living at http://www.maine.info/
» One-stop guide to Maine at http://www.gotravelmaine.com/
» See detailed information about all vacation homes on http://www.vacationhomes.com/
and at homeaway.com
» Read everything about private islands at http://www.privateislandsblog.com/
» Destinations and vacations based on what you’re going through in life at http://traveltherapytrips.com/
» Hundreds of vacation ideas on http://www.1001-vacation-ideas.com/contact.html
» Vacations in Maine at http://www.mainevacation.com/
» Best places to stay, dine, shop and play in the State of Maine at http://www.vacationinme.com/
» Visit www.maineinfo.net
» Local Information about Bremen, ME, and other towns in the area at http://www.hometownusa.com/maine/Bremen.html