Sorrento Harbor Inlet West

About

Introduction:

Sorrento Harbor is a well-protected, natural cove that is located on the north side of Frenchman Bay east of Sullivan Harbor. Geographically, Sorrento Harbor is 5.5 miles north of Bar Harbor (Mount Desert Island) and 19 miles north-northeast of Blue Hill Harbor.

Sorrento Harbor is primarily a sheltered hideout where traveling boaters and lobstermen can catch a mooring within the protected confines of local geography. The moorings are maintained by the Sorrento Yacht Club, which also provides a floating dinghy dock for mooring patrons.

The image above is a view from the west looking east over the west entrance to Sorrento Harbor. Dram Island is located off toward the right-hand-side of the image, while farther up in the right corner, Preble Island is visible. Sorrento Yacht Club’s dinghy dock and mooring field are apparent on the left and right sides of the harbor, repsectively

Navigating the Water:

Use NOAA Chart 13318.

There are two navigable entrances into Sorrento Harbor (one to the south and one to the west), but the south entrance is both wider and deeper--and preferred-- over the west entrance. That said, the western entrance is still safe to use, albeit with shallower depths.

The west entrance into Sorrento Harbor requires an approach from Frenchman Bay south of Sullivan Harbor. From Frenchman Bay, you will first need to set a course for red nun buoy “2,” which marks a shallow rock west of Dram Island. The buoy is located near a position of N44 28.066 W68 11.921. Make sure you leave this buoy well to starboard on a south-to-north approach.

Once you have cleared previously mentioned red nun buoy “2” by a good distance, set a course toward the west entrance opening at Dram Island. The simple passage requires only one discipline--stay in the middle. Depths in the inlet are about 15 feet and deepen rapidly once you are inside the harbor.

Local Notices to Mariners:

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