Southwest Harbor is located on the south side of Mount Desert Island just southwest of Greening Island and west of Sutton Island. Southwest Harbor is 45 miles east of Rockport and 38 miles southwest of Great Waal Island.

The image above is a view from the south looking north over Southwest Harbor. In the upper center section near the horizon, Somes Sound, the only fjord on the East Coast can be seen. Great harbor Marina is the large marina with long docks jutting out into the harbor to the left. The Hinckley Yard is out of the picture to the right. Lastly, in the upper right-hand portion of the image, Greening Island is visible.

Not only is Southwest Harbor home to the famous Hinckley Company, builder of fine yachts, but there are also four additional marinas with varying levels of service. Of the five total marinas in Southwest Harbor, all of them accept transient guests - either at moorings or dockside slips. Two marinas sell diesel fuel (no gas available in Southwest Harbor as of this writing), and two have lifts for repairs and related services.

Use NOAA Chart 13313.

Southwest Harbor can be approached from two directions. One approach is from the south through Western Way, which works in from the Atlantic Ocean, and then passes between Cranberry Island and Seawall Point before meeting up with Southwest Harbor. The second route is to approach from the east via the Gulf of Maine, and then travel west toward Southwest Harbor passing either north or south of Sutton Island.

To approach Southwest Harbor via Western way, first set a course to intercept flashing green gong buoy “1,” which marks Long Ledge just off Benner Cove. Flashing green gong buoy “1” is located at an approximate waypoint of N44 13.269 W68 17.794. Once you have safely navigated to flashing green gong buoy “1,” set a new course of about 049 degrees magnetic for around 1.3 miles where you should find flashing red buoy “4.” Note that along the way you will pass South Bunker Ledge to the west. South Bunker Ledge is marked by red daybeacon “2.”

Back at flashing red buoy “4,” you should continue north, picking up green can buoy “5” as you proceed. Make sure you leave this mark decidedly to port as you head north. Past green can buoy “5,” set a new course of 028 degrees magnetic for 1.1 miles to intercept red nun buoy “6.” Flashing red buoy “8” shows up next to starboard. From here set a new course of 319 degrees magnetic for 1.6 miles and pick up a different flashing red buoy “8” south of Greening Island, and right at the mouth of Southwest Harbor.

If you are approaching from the east, first navigate to flashing red buoy “2,” which is located at an approximate waypoint of N44 16.537 W68 13.037. From flashing red buoy “2,” set a new course of approximately 267 degrees magnetic for two miles to intercept a different flashing red “2” buoy south of Sutton Island. Lastly, set a course of about 301 degrees magnetic for 2.6 miles where you will find flashing red buoy “8” at the entrance to Southwest Harbor

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

Bicycles are the best way to get around in Southwest Harbor and most of Mount Desert Island. Some marinas provide courtesy vehicles, but do not count on this as your primary mode of transportation while in the area.

A local taxi company serves the entire Mount Desert Island area for longer treks.

Southwest Harbor Calendar of Events