The Breakwater in Eastport is a gathering place for residents and visitors, especially those who love boats and fishing. Before the new terminal was built at Estes Head, it was also the center of the shipping industry. Commercial fishing boats, two U.S. Coast Guard vessels, and several pleasure crafts are protected within the Breakwater. There is a boat ramp within the Breakwater near Rosie's hot dog stand. Aerial views can be enjoyed at Don Dunbar's aerial photos. Remember that the tides here change one foot or more every fifteen minutes.
Eastport's naturally deep seaport has been a favorite stop for vessels for over 200 years. Protected by the mainland on the west, Lubec in the south, Campobello Island, New Brunswick to the east, and many Canadian islands to the north, Eastport (Moose Island) offers a respite from the perils of the open ocean. As they have done for so many years, the friendly people of Eastport welcome you to our shores.
The Eastport Harbor Committee provides berthing spaces from early June to mid-September for visitors to Eastport. These are located at the finger piers on the north side of the Breakwater and at the float on the south side of the Fish Pier. Year round moorings are also located in these areas. On the north side, there are two public moorings of the five located there. The most easterly and the most southerly ones are public. On the south side of the Fish Pier there is one mooring. It is public. A fee is charged for overnight stays for berthings and moorings. The inner basin is usually filled with the U.S. Coast Guard and a variety of commercial boats. The Harbor Master, can be contacted at the Eastport Port Authority, 3 Madison Street, behind the new U.S. Coast Guard facility, (207) 853-4614 or through the Eastport City Rooms, 78 High Street, (207) 853-2300.
Even though Eastport does not have a formal marina, we have everything you need to make your stay pleasant. Eastport's downtown is in the Breakwater area so almost everything is within a short walk. At the head of the Breakwater just as you turn left onto Water Street is the office of the local, twice monthly newspaper, The Quoddy Tides. Stop there for the latest newspaper and a free map. Visit the Quoddy Maritime Museum at 70 Water Street for a Eastport Walk-About brochure. Eastport is easy to navigate. Water Street, the main street, runs parallel to the ocean. Washington Street (Route 190) starts at the corner of Water Street at the U.S. Post Office (three-story, granite block building). As you walk through the downtown area after turning south at the head of the Breakwater, the major streets are Washington Street, Boynton Street, Dana Street, Key Street (at the Peavey Memorial Library) [a distance of one-quarter mile], and Shackford Street (just past Motel East). If you turn north at the Breakwater, you'll come to Adams Street (Kilby House B&B on the corner), the ferry landing to New Brunswick, and Capen Avenue (Todd House B&B on the right) [a distance of one-quarter mile], and then to Clark Street that takes you out to Route 190. High Street (City Rooms, schools, and cemetery) runs parallel to Water Street and makes a connecting loop from Clark Street by way of High Street back to South Street and then to Water Street. This entire loop is only about two miles. If you don't find what you need, please ask.
The friendly people at Moose Island Marine, 5 Sullivan Street (head of Breakwater), [207-853-6058] have a vast knowledge of boating and the area. Their merchandise ranges from nuts & bolts to charts to flotation suits, everything you need for recreational and commercial endeavors on the water. The owner, Dean Pike, also owns the boatyard at Deep Cove that includes a large new inside storage building, is a faculty member at the "Boat School," also in Deep Cove, and is a member of the Eastport Port Authority and the Eastport Waterfront Development Committee. Contact Dean to make arrangements for the travel lift that is located in Deep Cove near the Boat School and the boatyard. His expertise may assist you. Moose Island Marine monitors VHF 9, 10, 11, 16 during regular business hours, usually from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. They have a hot shower that you may use during business hours.
The U.S. Coast Guard has a new facility at 1 Admiral Hamlet Place on the Breakwater. They occupied this facility in October 2004. Their non-emergency 24-hour telephone is 207-853-4544. Their U.S. Coast Guard EMERGENCY Number is 207-853-2845. They constantly monitor VHF.
U.S. Customs has an office on the ground floor of the U.S. Post Office. Their door is on the Water Street side. They can be reached during office hours at 853-4313 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday thru Saturday. After hours U.S. Customs can be reached in Lubec at 733-4331. The Canadian Customs office at Deer Island can be reached at 506-747-2190.
Capt. Charles W. Leppin at the Eastport Port Authority, 3 Madison Street (behind the new U.S. Coast Guard station), 853-4614, has many years of experience with the tides and currents in this area. As captain of the tug Ahoskie, he guides the cargo ships through Friar Roads to docking at Estes Head. If he can't answer your questions, he can have you contact one of the harbor pilots, Capt. Robert Peabody or Capt. Gerald Morrison.
If you'd like a quick lunch, Rosie's hot dog stand on the Breakwater is nearby. If you'd like a short walk for lunch or dinner, try the Happy Crab (35 Water St., 853-9400), the Blue Iris (31 Water St., 853-2440, in same building with Lewis' Flowers, across from library), Bank Square Pizza & Deli (34 Water St., 853-2709), or the WaCo Diner (47 Water St., 853-4046). All are located just past the Fish Pier, less than one-quarter mile from the Breakwater. The WaCo Diner and the Blue Iris serve a delicious breakfast as well as lunch and dinner. For restaurants located further away in Eastport and outside Eastport see the "Gastronomy" section of this web site.
After breakfast or lunch walk a little further up Water Street to number 11 to visit woodcarver Roland LaVallee at CROW TRACKS. Visit with potter Don Sutherland at earth forms at 5 Dana Street, or stop at the Eastport Gallery.
Be sure to visit S. L. Wadsworth & Son, the oldest ship chandlery in the United States and the oldest retail business in Maine. There are several other shops on Water Street where a visit will enrich your day. The people are friendly. Much of the merchandise is locally made.
FREE Internet access is available at the Peavey Memorial Library, one-quarter mile south on Water Street, on the right.
If you'd like to spend the night and enjoy breakfast in an historic Eastport home, there are several within walking distance:
Kilby House Inn, 122 Water Street, 853-0989;
Milliken House, 29 Washington Street, 853-2955;
Todd House, 1 Capen Avenue, 853-2328;
Weston House, 26 Boynton Street, 853-2907;
The Motel East is located at 23A Water Street, 853-4747.
For accommodations located further away in Eastport see the "Accommodations" section of this web site.
The half mile walk up Washington Street from the U.S. Post Office to Raye's Mustard Mill (83 Washington, 853-4451) will take you past one of the bed & breakfasts, four of Eastport's eight churches, Havey & Wilson Pharmacy (63 Washington, 853-4061), Bangor Savings Bank (54 Washington, 853-2534), First National Bank of Bar Harbor (102 Washington, 853-6270), R & M IGA (88 Washington, 853-4050), the Barracks Museum (74 Washington Street), and a number of other historic buildings. If you'd rather not walk either way, call Roger or Merrill Conti, the owners of R & M IGA. They'll be happy to pick you up at the Breakwater in their truck, take you to get groceries, and return you to the Breakwater. R & M IGA includes regular groceries, a deli, a bakery, live lobsters, ice, videos, and an agency liquor store with a fine selection of wines. If you enjoy the walk there, they'll be happy to provide return transportation. Please ask.
The coin-operated laundromat is located on Boynton Street, less than one-quarter mile from the Breakwater, between the Weston House (26 Boynton Street) and the Rowland B. French Medical Center (30 Boynton Street, 853-6001). Boynton Street is the next street parallel to Washington Street. The laundromat is open 7 days a week, 7 am to 9 pm. You can cut through the parking lot across from the U.S. Post Office and then continue a short distance up the hill.
Harborside Clippers is the beauty salon at the head of the Breakwater. This is a uni-sex salon with walk-in service. Call ahead, 853-2940, to reserve a time for their services. Shear Creations & Design, 38 Boynton Street, 853-2508, past the laundromat, is just a short walk away. Boynton Street is the next street parallel to Washington Street.
Diesel fuel can be obtained by calling A.B. Ramsdell Oil (853-4321). Glynn usually prefers to deliver the first thing in the morning so please call ahead to make arrangements.
Eastport Municipal Airport is 1.6 miles from the Breakwater.
In the "Businesses" section of this web site you will find the contact information for a variety of services. There in the "Port Related" section you will find "Eastport Port Directory" which includes contact information that is more specialized to the needs of vessels entering and berthing in Eastport.
Since the Breakwater is the center of activity during the day in Eastport, you'll find people willing to assist you in whatever you'd like to do. Enjoy the rest of this web site while planning your next visit to Eastport. Many of the day trips center around the Breakwater area. The arts section will direct you to the Eastport Gallery and to several "artist at work" studios. You are sure to find a number of activities to interest you and a number of people who will make your visit most enjoyable. You'll have a more enjoyable time if you plan ahead.
For suggestions and cruising information for the Maine Coast, you can visit The Maine Coast.
Eastport, Maine: Easternmost City in the U.S.A.
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