Safe Harbor Great Island

Adequate. After a season of cruising from Maine to Canada (and back) and feeling like honored guests at so many marinas, it’s disappointing to see personable and warm family operated marinas slowly being replaced by cold corporate entities where visitors (aka customers) are treated as transactions. Even a full time seasonal slip holder here spoke of the constant vigilance needed to protect themselves from being overcharged; always on the defensive. With the exception of the dock master (?) Christine who was very friendly and helpful, the other office staff had no interest in helping us. One of them actually wore over-the-ear headphones at the front desk while sitting at the computer, as if not wanting to be interrupted by the people responsible for his income (aka the customers). Courtesy is easy, cheap and a vanishing asset in corporate operations. It’s too bad. It would have taken so little to leave such a different impression. What a shame. *Update* After messaging and emailing Kristin, the marina manager, I feel like our concerns were heard, respected and are being addressed. Consequently, I’ve upgraded the rating. The point of this review was to correct a problem, not just complain about it. I’m happy to give them the benefit of the doubt.

Newly upgraded and growing. We were going to anchor near Snow Island, but no easy dinghy shore access for our dog. And low temps would require the genset. We opted to stay here. Dock crew were amazing and friendly. Gourmet Sandwich shop had delicious selections, but closed at 3PM. We arrived at 2:30PM and they were kind enough to stay open until we finished. Narrow approach requires you to split their mooring field. NO-Wake buoy marks the center channel. Will stay again.

Well maintained facility. Helpful staff. A very pleasant experience here. We hope to return in 2023. Many thanks.

Great staff, clean yard. Great yard for repairs.

Great location, friendly and helpful staff!!

The staff was amazing-all knowledgeable and very helpful! The docks are all new with beautiful wood. Only downfall was the early morning work being done on the new building, but that is part of updating the facility I suppose. Gorgeous setting, can’t go wrong staying here!

We can't say enough good things about SHGI. Dockwa confirmation was very prompt. Mooring location had plenty of swing room for our Duffy. Staff was very welcoming and professional. Iris Eats has wonderful gourmet breakfast and lunch offerings (check days/hours). There has been a considerable investment in SHGI - brand new docks and buildings and a heavy travel lift structure moving towards completion. While cruising Casco Bay we enjoyed our stay so much we returned when the SW winds kicked up for another stay on our fav mooring. Even though SW winds blow straight into Orrs Cove the dynamics of this snug harbor keep the boat directly into the wind (no appreciable ebb current) and wave action very low allowing for a comfortable stay on the pennant. Diesel was readily available and fairly priced. The approach up the bay is beautiful. Thank you SHGI team.

Second time here. Left our boat to be painted. Everyone here is top notch especially the marina manager. Wide docks, good power and protected cove.

Great mooring field. Facilities are nice. Enjoy our stay here.

Awesome marina! Great staff and location. Thanks for the experience.

This past May we completed America's Great Loop, and we were looking forward to spending the summer back here in Maine, which was home to us for many decades. On The Loop, we experienced a wide variety of marinas and boat yards, and this 5-week "HQ" we chose here in Maine turned out to match up and even overcome the best of any of them. First, its former name was Great Harbor Boatyard. So, its genesis is a full service boat yard, with lots of indoor and outdoor storage, and a seasoned well-run Service Department from our direct experience. e.g. We had a full preventative maintenance regimen done to our genset, and this crew handled it all very well, including a heat exchanger rehab, making it look like NEW. There is a large ramp that we saw (with the help of Maine's tides) could accommodate any draft vessel, and a crane to handle any size mast. However this boat yard is now completing the installation of a brand new travel lift, which will make the Service Department less dependent upon the tide clock. As the other reviews point out, this is also a very polished marina operation. Nice new hardwood docks were installed this spring that should last for decades, BBQ grills are found up on a deck overlooking the dock system with chairs and tables. The rest rooms and showers are very clean and appear to be new. There is a nice 'business center' in the post & beam office building with cathedral ceilings. The WiFi Internet there is very good, and it has been very good out here on the docks as well. This gave my [full bars] Verizon data plan a welcomed break for the month we were here. (FYI: Our other data plan, T-Mobile is non-existent here.) Geographically we are 3-hour [slow] trawler ride from either Boothbay Harbor to the east, and Portland to the west. So, we took in Windjammer Days in Boothbay; there are also the famed Harpswell Lobster Boat Races to take in. Lots to see by water. Kristen and her staff are just authentically interested in making everyone satisfied with their total experience... "Being there for you on VHF-09" during normal business hours... catching lines often bring us down our packages; this is a place we will certainly come back to. They have moorings too, and plenty of room at the docks for dinghies. While I don't *think* they have "launch service" per se, I'm sure these guys would shuttle us in in a pinch if we asked. The customers / dock mates are fun and friendly bunch too. Ashore: Bowdoin College and the Maine State Music Theatre is a short drive away, as is a full range of fine restaurants, as is typically found in good college towns. German, Indian, Italian, just about any type of food one could imagine can be found here (we know cuz we used to be locals!). Heck, I'm sure you could even find some seafood and Maine Lobster if you looked around hard enough! Two miles away, the small local seafood market, Gurnet Trading Company, had Maine Lobsters for $4/pound while we were here (July-Aug 2022). When I asked for oysters, they asked me which local island's oysters I prefer; fortunately, they helped me make my choice! Uber, Lift, InstaCart, all work here. It is a 5 mile ride to "Cooks Corner" shopping area with just about everything you can imagine. Big box groceries, WalMart, Lowes, etc. Johnson's Sporting Goods will fill your SCUBA tanks while you wait; they are a fully stocked fishing and dive shop. (They can fill your odd propane tanks too... they are not just a tank-exchange type place). Less than a mile past Cooks Corner, you will find an excellent [independent] Midcoast Marine Supply, that will have everything you need for supplies, F/G repair projects or improvements. They keep all the local commercial fishermen going for their needs too. No BS: SHGI is a fine gemstone that is set into a perfect Midcoast Region which has some of the best cruising / boating in the world. PS: Great Island is a lot easier to spell and pronounce than Sebascodegan Island, which is how it appears on NOAA charts. <grin>

This marina sets a very high bar for excellence. Kristin, the marina manager communicated the docking details of our stay which is always helpful when arriving at a new location. She also stopped by the boat upon arrival to make sure we were settled. Most importantly, she coordinated a visit from the service manager on Friday before 4th of July weekend to troubleshoot an issue with our engine. We couldn't have asked for better treatment. The restrooms and showers are very nice. Their washer/dryer are brand new and use an honor system for paying which eliminates the need to hunt down quarters. Also, the docks are brand new teak. Beautiful! Don't miss the opportunity to eat at Iris'. It's open for breakfast and lunch (until 3pm). She also sells beer and wine. The only challenge is getting provisions from the grocery store. We cycled 6 miles to Hannaford but the road didn't have a good shoulder and the cars drive very fast. Overall, this is a wonderful place for transients.

This was one of the most impressive marina/boatyards we have stayed in. The staff and facilities were great. The restaurant on site, Iris’s Eats , served delectable “comfy gourmet” breakfasts and lunches. Definitely would stay here again.

As a delivery captain, I pass through dozens of marinas in a year and Great Island is unquestionably the most professional, accommodating, and welcoming of any I know on the east coast. The idea that the customer comes first is institutionally embedded in every employee and shines clearly. In an era where standard seem to be plummeting at an unsustainable rate, Great Island is one of the few holding onto high levels of traditional workmanship coupled with the benefits of modern technology. It’s a rare find in the marine industry of today to find a place where a boatyard truly has your best interest at heart.

Safe Harbor Great Island As we enter our 15th season of boating on the beautiful coast of Maine we finally have found a place that offers it all. A lovely and serene location with an entire fleet of workers that don’t disappoint. From the desk assistance, management, mechanics and to the dock hands everyone is there to assist you and make you feel safe to prepare you to cruise the waters and welcome you back from your return trip. Any guests we have entertained have always commented on how magical it was to come to Safe Harbor. It also helps so much to have the facilities they offer and a Gourmet Shop to help you provision. We can’t thank Kristin and Annika enough for monitoring us and our slip when we are away and Graham and his staff for keeping us afloat. We should have moved here years ago. Cheers to Safe Harbor and thank you all. Soulmate

I almost don't want to say too many great things about Safe Harbor Great Island because I'd be more than happy to keep it a secret !!! Love to have it stay as she is...beautiful, quiet, peaceful, professional...tucked away in a quintessential Maine surround !!! ...so this marine is a perfect stopover or destination if one is requiring such and more than that it offers the FINEST service or refits at a FAIR price in a spectacular setting with the bonus of AWESOME people who really do care a lot about you and your boating experience...if you stop over once or ask them to service your vessel, you'll be back for sure ! thanks for all the great everything SHGI !!!

Safe Harbor Great Island is special marina. It combines a beautiful, well protected location with top class facilities, friendly professional staff and an experienced maintenance crew. As fairly new cruisers, we learned a tremendous amount from both the staff and other long-term seasonal boaters. Thank you all for patiently answering our many questions!

FRIENDLY FACES – SCENIC BEAUTY – EXPERT TECHNICIANS - EXCEPTIONAL EATERY This pretty much sums up our experience this summer. Super organized staff, great network of service providers and technicians. We have a deep draft and found it easy to come in and out all summer. This marina has great facilities if you are staying on your boat for a long weekend. Everyone is always eager to help and even gave us local spots to eat and sight see. The new cafe, Iris Eats, has just opened but helped me provision for our six day return South. Her food was incredible! We plan to return in 2022. There is sampling nothing they could improve and perfect in every way.

Safe Harbors Great Island is in a league of their own. Both power and sailboat owners with the highest standard come to the Great Island team for top of the line maintanance and service. Great Island handles large projects and single work items with an standard of excellence that is unmatched in New England. I have been a customer for 10 years and cannot say enough about Great Island. All you need to do is look at the boats that make Great Island their homeport to see quality of this yard and their customers. Look no further.

Safe Harbor Great Island is, and always has been, truly a 5 star boatyard. We originally kept our first cruising sailboat at GIBY from 2011 until 2019 and now we have once again moved our second cruising sailboat to now Safe Harbor Great Island in 2021. The well kept and appointed boatyard is located in a very attractive and easily accessible location on the coast of Maine. All the staff are very friendly, helpful, down to earth, and extremely efficient. The customer always comes first. The service department of the yard is one of their outstanding features. Their work could not be done better, and they maintain excellent communication with the customers. Since we are on a cruising boat, we don't spend long periods at the marina or on a mooring but both are very well maintained. The very large boat storage barns are new, well kept, and indeed impressive. We thank Safe Harbor Great Island for everything they have done to make our cruising adventures possible --- I can think of no better place to take my boat.

Great Island Boat Yard is a wonderful boat yard and marina to work with. Being in the marine service industry I am exposed to a wide range of marinas and boat yards and GIBY is one of the best I have worked with. The service and communication is excellent. The staff always does there best accommodate our changing schedules. The work we have done is always of the highest quality. Great Island is a exceptional facility for all of your boating needs.

This is a really well run marina with great service. We've had quite a bit of refitting work done here and are always thrilled with the work. They give fair estimates, keep you informed with the status, and go over the work with you once it's done. Moorings and pendants are well maintained and kept clean, and the entire staff is friendly and professional.

We re-located our cruising sailboat here 6 years ago from a North Shore Yacht Club. We are still delighted with our decision. Great access to Maine's cruising grounds with an easy drive from our home even when it's for "just" a weekend. Harpswell is a great jumping off point for an extended cruise east. The yard does excellent work and we appreciate the watchful eye of the staff when we aren't aboard. Overnight, short haul, bad weather, or for the season, we can't imagine keeping our boat anywhere else. The staff is friendly, attentive and skilled. There's easy access to Brunswick with great restaurants, and Amtrack service if you need it for an unplanned layover.

Safe Harbor Great Island is a wonderful place to stop on a Summer cruise or stay for the season (Summer or Winter). We have stayed in hundreds of marinas up and down the East Coast and this one is one of the best. Staff is exceptional, friendly and accomodating. Good spot to leave a boat for any time period and it's location - moorings and docks - is considered a hurricane hole as you are removed from the ocean swells and busy traffic of nearby cities. A bucolic place; however, only fifteen minutes by car away from good restaurants, great hiking trails, and all the provisioning and big box stores you need while cruising. A rare find.

Ten Years at Great Island. Once again another fantastic season in 2021! “Thanks to the crew at Safe Harbor Great Island for their exceptional service and a first class experience this summer.”

I had the opportunity to stay with at Safe Harbor Great Island a few times, and each time, I was amazed by the setting and the staff. Kristin, who I had the pleasure of working with in planning our stay, was tremendously helpful and accommodating. The service she and the team provided was exceptional, and I cannot wait to come back. If you're traveling in the area or considering boating around Harpswell, I couldn't encourage you more enthusiastically to check out Safe Harbor Great Island!

Nice mooring with heavy duty clean pendants, plenty of swing. Great people to work with. Bathrooms were very clean.

If we could award more than 5 stars, I would. GIBY is an example of great customer service- a super great facility- well protected- and simply the best possible all around experience. I am fortunate enough to make GIBY both my summer homeport as well for winter storage and look forward to every aspect. If I can cite one standout- every employee has a great attitude and extremely customer centric.

I cannot speak more highly of this Marina. The amenities were top-notch (other than wi-fi) but more importantly the people were extraordinary from the lady who runs the cafe to the management, technicians, dock master and dock hands. Had some unexpected electronic and other issues and these were taken care of in the most professional manner. Most marinas could care less about transients but this Marina treated me as if I was a long term customer. If they were not so distant from my home base they would be my base of choice. Cannot wait to return.

Simply the best boatyard and marina on the east coast. A beautiful, protected location with very qualified people. Everyone is cheerful, helpful, and always pushing to exceed expectations. We give great island an A+

This is a fantastic harbor that is beautiful and very well-protected. Safe Harbor Great Island's facilities and people are also top-notch and have made our multiple stays here very enjoyable and comfortable. This past winter we also chose Great Island for some major maintenance and upgrades on our sailboat and were thrilled with their capabilities, timeliness, and results. It was a complete pleasure to work with the team and they exceeded our expectations on every dimension. We're already looking forward to our next visit to Great Island!

Top notch service. Christine, Dillon, and Annika went above and beyond my expectations. Located in a beautiful cove.

Great Island came recommended to us by our broker, who had previously been at the yard for remodeling the office cabin into a guest cabin. The carpentry work performed was excellent, and I was informed that the yard was the best in the area. We came in for refrigeration work, and it was accomplished on time and to high standards. I have experienced boatyards and marinas on the Eastcoast, from top to bottom, and do not hesitate to recommend Safe Harbor Great Island for their professional work and customer care. Plan early so as not to miss a lovely spot and great people.

The staff at SHGI is simply top shelf. They recently completed the second refit of my 58' sailboat over the last two years. I've dealt with a number of boatyards over the past 15 years from the Chesapeake to Maine. SHGI's staff possesses an unparalleled level of skills and craftsmanship across many disciplines from rigging, propulsion, refrigeration, systems and electronics to paint, varnish, fiberglass, cabinetry and even teak decking. And it's all delivered with an amazing level of customer service from the time you first hail them on VHF to when you call for advise from a thousand miles away.

Well protected mooring area with easy to pick up pendant. Mooring field is not close to the marina so could not pick up any Wifi service. Nothing really within walking distance of the facility that we could find. There's a busy two lane road with no sidewalk. However, the beauty of area made it worth the stop. Spent time exploring the coast and islands in our dinghy. It's just a nice, quiet place to hang out.

Such a beautiful spot tucked in a very protected spot in Eastern Harpswell. A great launching spot with easy access to explore the Mid-Coast Maine. Dock attendants are helpful, as well as cheerful. There is a relaxed low key vibe which is in contrast to other Marina's further down the peninsula. Restrooms as well as all facilities are clean and updated. Communication and instructions from the marina was clear and understandable. I will definitely stay again in the future.

The staff here were amazing. Squeezed us in so we had a slip that night. Kristen was very helpful to and super knowledgeable. All the dock hands knew exactly what they were doing. Provisions was so good with nice sandwiches and take away wine. The marina is very protected in the river and full of beautiful scenery. Laundry was in good shape.

Excellent service and friendly staff. Be sure to check out Craft Kitchen for lunch or pick up a prepped meal for dinner on the boat. They could have one of the best brisket sandwiches I have ever had and my kids loved their homemade ice cream sandwiches.

Great staff - awesome location- great amenities- will definitely go back

Beautiful Oars Harbor!

Great Island Boat Yard (aka GIBY) is quite literally one of my favorite places in the world! They have become a seriously fantastic landmark for quality boat work... Some of the finest boats come to GIBY for reliable projects! Most recently: I've worked with Graham Wright as a service manager to get a Sabre sailboat back up to snuff and cruising again. He's been super responsive and helpful. In the offseason, you'd be lucky to have your boat stored and serviced inside one of their gorgeous indoor warehouses. In the summertime, GIBY is a wash with gorgeous boats!

I’ve sailed to 21 countries, 50,000+nm, and I count my blessings that Great Island Boat Yard is my home port and home base. Extraordinary craftsmanship and work ethic; work done cost effectively; big enough to do sophisticated projects, yet friendly totally hands-on family-owned and small enough to be comfortable and informal - everyone on a first-name basis. Mantra to always go the extra steps to exceed customer expectations. Excellent proactive communication and responsiveness. Immaculate facilities; gorgeous, protected cove that makes hanging out at dock or mooring as much fun as sailing coastal Maine or across an ocean. Haven’t found another yard that comes close. - John Reid s/v Ramble Too (written from Guadeloupe)

When searching for a place to keep a Cape Dory 36 somewhere in the Casco Bay area I found GIBY on Google Earth, drove up to look at the yard on a Sunday in January and immediately decided it looked like a great spot. Been there 5 years now and can’t say enough good things about the place. The yard and facilities are well kept, staff is very professional/friendly/helpful, the location is well protected and the on site cafe is super convenient. Service at the yard is unparalleled in terms of timeliness and quality. My family and I look forward to being back at GIBY each summer.

We have stored our sailboat at BIBY for many years. This yard is unequalled for its professionalism with a specific manager assigned to each boat, knowledgeable and accommodating staff, and great relationships with subcontractors (extensive engine work, sailmakers, dodger work, etc.). Our boat has been carefully prepared and has been on time each year. Just as an example, we have had many people admire the terrific job GIBY has done each year on our extensive brightwork. I can highly recommend GIBY to any boat owner who wants an outstanding yard to care for their boat.

Sailing from Scotland to New Zealand and did small refit at GIBY Sept 19. A very professional and capable team, owner hands on and has recruited a fabulous team. Peaceful location and GIBY team could not have been more helpful. Offered well thought out alternative solutions to suite my boat and ocean sailing requirements and met tight time scheduled. Could not speak highly enough of this team, it was a pleasure to be one of their customers.

We've spent several nights on GIBY's moorings- always a pleasure. Great friendly staff, exceptionally clean restrooms & showers and well-protected moorings with all of Quahog Bay to explore. Friday night gathering on the deck was great, and breakfast at the cafe was a very nice break from cooking onboard. We'll be back!

Best marina and full service boat yard I’ve ever worked with. Highly competent staff who go the extra mile to serve you whether it be repair work or dock service. I’d go out of my way to have this boat yard do work for me.

Great Island Boat Yard is a terrific yard! We are very pleased with their service, their work, and especially their can-do attitude. Kristin and Graham communicate well and do everything to accommodate our requests. We are very happy to have our boat there.

GIBY is a great marina at the East end of Casio Bay. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Their ability for maintenance and service is excellent. I stopped by one day and was so impressed with their ability, I had them perform a number of repairs, including a stove replacement, stereo upgrade, and satellite tv installation. All done for a reasonable fee and with fine quality installation. One of my favorite stops in Maine.

Great facilities with always a helpful hand on the docks! CLEAN new building They have a great parts department for DIY and the best folks ever for fixing ANYTHING.

Great workmanship, friendly staff, a tasty if small cafe, and a well protected harbor. I have docked at GIBY for over 10 years and have never been disappointed in their work. I head south in the winter and they are always ready to help with questions along the way and amazingly can almost always solve the problem without an eyes on.

Excellent facility...very well managed with a friendly staff. We had complicated transmission work done and we were delighted with our technician and the results. Top notch!

5 star marina and boat yard for sure. I stayed at GIBY in September. They put me on a mooring close by the docks. Very secure and protected. They have marine supplies and service on site and excellent amenities as well.

No one there when we arrived at 8 PM Saturday evening and no combination to the bathroom

Entire staff that we dealt with were friendly, welcoming and helpful. Were a big help with a repair we needed done too. Special shout out to Kristin and Graham for the hospitality and assistance!

My husband and I over the years have been in many boatyards and marinas on the eastern seaboard and in the Caribbean for repairs, overnight stops and even storing over the winter. It's safe to say we are a fairly decent judge of what makes a good boatyard. When we found GIBY, who have now looked after our boat for over 4 years we were blown away by the service, talent of team, the customer-service driven atmosphere and love of boats! They are outstanding at what they do and I personally think one would be hard pressed to find a better yard on the east coast. My husband jokes (maybe not a joke) that if they ever sold their yard that he would leave boating forever.

Very friendly and helpful crew. Beautiful protected cove. Clean, hot, spacious shower rooms. The whole boatyard is oederly and well run.

Kristin - thanks again for the "platinum" service at Great Island Boat Yard on Wednesday... We'll be back soon! I'll keep an eye out for your email as a follow up, as we discussed... Best regards, Ken