The image above is a view from the east looking west over the Gilley Thorofare from an area just south of East Bunker Ledge. The round hump of land off to the center left (south) portion of the image is Little Cranberry Island, while farther up toward the left-hand corner of the image, Cranberry Island can be seen. The large island on the right (north) side of the picture is Sutton Island, and directly behind it toward the horizon, Southwest Harbor Is visible on Mount Desert Island

Use NOAA Chart 13313.

The Gilley Thorofare is approached from the east via a passage through the Gulf of Maine. Approaching from the east, first set a course for flashing red buoy “2,” which is located at an approximate waypoint of N44 16.533 W68 13.035. Once you have safely navigated to flashing red bell buoy “2,” set a new course of about 268 degrees magnetic for nearly 2.0 miles until you reach flashing red bell buoy “2” north of Spurting Rock.

Once you have reached flashing red bell buoy “2,” you have several options for further travel. To the south is Cranberry Harbor, which has an excellent anchorage and small marina. About two miles to the west is Southwest Harbor - one of the most popular ports on the Maine Coast. Lastly, off to the north, is Northeast Harbor, another very popular cruising destination.

Local Notices to Mariners are now exclusively available online from the U.S. Coast Guard.