Flanking the west side of Penobscot Bay, the Blue Hill Peninsula has always been more accessible by sea than by land. Perhaps that explains why it is so causally bypassed by scores of summer tourists on their way up the coast. Those who take the turn discover a classic chunk of Maine coastline, with roller-coaster roads offering drop-dead views of the rocky coast.

For more than 200 years, the rocky jut of land has been home to tiny fishing villages inhabited by hearty settlers. Now in summer its harbors are more likely to be filled with pleasure craft of the well-to-do, poking into the historic downtown of Castine or kayaking the magical coves of Deer Isle.

Getting to the Blue Hill Peninsula

You’re better off taking a boat than a bus or train to the Blue Hill Peninsula; public transportation generally bypasses the region on its way from the mid-coast to Acadia. The only viable option by land is to take your own car. To drive to Bucksport from Portland, take I-95 north to exit 109 at Augusta, then U.S. Route 202 and Route 3 east to connect with U.S. Route 1 north (120 mi., 3 hrs.).

If you are already heading up U.S. 1 from the Midcoast region, Bucksport is another 20 miles (30 min.) from Belfast. From Bucksport to Castine, head south down Castine Road (15 mi., 20 min.); for Blue Hill head south down Route 15. For Deer Isle, continue south from Blue Hill down Route 15 to the intersection with Route 175, then take a left on Byards Point Road and head over the suspension bridge. From the bridge, continue south on Deer Isle Road to Stonington (25 mi., 45 min.).