Matinicus Ferry: a Rare Travel Opportunity on Maine State Ferries

One of the most overlooked but wonderful things to do in Maine is to ride the Maine State Ferry. With routes going out to varying islands, it’s a wonderful and affordable way to enjoy the maritime life and landscapes, and the Matinicus Ferry is my favorite. Riding the ferry to Matinicus Island and back may seem silly because it’s a commuter route that only goes a few times each week, primarily for residents, but it’s a beautiful ride and is so wonderfully Maine. Departing from Rockland, ME the Matinicus Ferry runs just every few days with the purpose of delivering supplies, collecting trash, or bringing residents home after spending time on the mainland.

Just because it’s meant for municipal purposes doesn’t mean it’s not a fun and beautiful trip that’s worth adding to your Maine summer trip. Have you gotten to take the Matinicus Ferry or any of the Maine State Ferry routes? We’ve got the scoop on adding this sort of adventure to you visit, so if you have any additional questions, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan a great visit to Maine.

Highlights of Riding the Matinicus Ferry

If you’ve been following along for a while, you know that I’m a big birdwatching person, so that colors so many of the activities we seek out and enjoy, and the Matinicus Ferry is a wonderful opportunity for birding. Departing from Rockland Harbor, you start with beautiful views of the Rockland Harbor and countless harbor seals before getting out into Penobscot Bay. This feels like the open ocean almost as you sail past the DownEast Mount Desert Island (Acadia National Park) to the North and the many peninsulas of MidCoast Maine to the south.

You’ll see several lighthouses as you work your way into the bay, including the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse and Owl’s Head Light, which are both a fun visit when you’re in Rockland. As you head off on the Matinicus Ferry, keep your eyes peeled for whales and porpoises, as well as seabirds. The gannets are awesome when they come sailing past, looking very much like tropical boobies, but they’re huge like albatrosses. While you might not see as many whales as doing whale watching from Boothbay Harbor (so many whales!) you have a great chance from June to September to see several species.

When you get to Matinicus, while it may be a lovely thought to get off the boat and see the lobster docks and colorful buildings of the port area, you shouldn’t do it. It’s a quick turnaround when you’re at Matinicus Island but you can get a small glimpse into what it’s like living all the way out here. I love waving to the local lobstermen (we even saw one we knew!) and then going back to the mainland so they can enjoy their quiet island life. The sailing back is just as beautiful, so relax, watch for wildlife and enjoy!

Tips for a Trip on the Matinicus Ferry

The Matinicus Ferry isn’t large, only hold about 15 cars or so, but it’s great as a passenger. If you’re visiting Maine and NOT staying out on Matinicus Island you’ll want to just walk onto the ferry. DO NOT DRIVE onto the Matinicus Ferry unless you’re staying out there and need your car. The Matinicus Ferry has very limited space and if you’re not staying on the island, you’lll be able to enjoy the ride just with the outside or indoor seating. It’s not a popular route, so usually there is plenty of seating wherever you want. There are no passenger services onboard the Matinicus Ferry, and most Maine State Ferries don’t really have passenger services.

If you’re on the Washington State Ferries or the Alaska Marine Highways you have food options, but here you need to travel with your own snacks. I recommend stopping at the grocery store of one of the deli shops in downtown Rockland before boarding so you can enjoy lunch on the boat. The total travel time from boarding in Rockland to returning to the dock in Rockland is about four and a half hours. When you arrive in Matinicus you don’t have enough time to get off the boat to explore or find food and get back on, so bring your lunch and just enjoy your dining experience across the water.

Being Prepared for the Maine State Ferry Experience

Dress warmly for riding the Matinicus Ferry or any other Maine State Ferry route. The wind comes off the Atlantic Ocean and can be chilling. In the summertime though, ferry rides in Maine are wonderful and on sunny days you can easily enjoy the outdoor seating or deck space and be plenty warm. Bring your jacket though and know that depending on any changes in the weather you may need to head into the passenger cabin for both comfort and safety.

Bring a good camera for photographing whales and seabirds, but keep in mind that you’re on a moving boat that may go up and down with the waves. Photography on the water is sometimes complicated. I have found that on calm seas, a 400-600mm lens is great for photographing seabirds.

Parking at the Rockland Ferry Terminal

There is limited parking at the Rockland ferry terminal, but if you arrive plenty before the Matinicus Ferry or before the day’s Vinalhaven ferries, you’ll be able to park at the terminal with no problems. If you’re a little later or just want to try for street parking, you may find it a few blocks up away from the Rockland ferry terminal. Parking here is cheap though, and if available is the best best for a day trip on the Matinicus or Vinalhaven ferries.