Come for the light.
Stay for the tide.

Five harbors, five ways to slow down.

Port Alder — start early at the working wharf, then follow the shore road west.

Mareth — oyster shacks, the island ferry, and a harbor that wakes with the sun.

Cobb Harbor — salty village streets and a good bench for watching boats return.

Little Wren — leave room for a picnic, a tide pool, and another hour outdoors.

Saltash — finish the day among galleries and lanes edged with sea grass.

Make the tide your itinerary.

Check local tide tables before setting out. The Mareth island ferry's best crossings vary by day; arrive at the landing 20 minutes before departure and confirm that day's operator schedule.

At low tide, look for sea stars and periwinkles in the pools. Please leave shells and living things where you find them.

Harbor note: High tide in Mareth is 4:12 pm today. Ask locally for the latest conditions.

Take the coastal road.

Portland International Jetport is the nearest major airport, about 1 hour 40 minutes south by car. A car gives you the most flexibility between towns.

Route 1 bridge in Mareth closes nightly through November 20, 8 pm–6 am. Follow signed detours via Old Quarry Road.

Emergency services: 911. U.S. Coast Guard, South Portland: (207) 799-3388.

Leave a little space in the plan.

Walk the Lighthouse Trail, paddle with a registered local guide, try oysters at the Mareth wharf, and ask a shopkeeper what's happening after dark.

Stay at a locally owned inn, cottage, or campground, and book directly with your chosen host.

For current ferry schedules, weather and tide predictions, check with local operators before travel.