What is Oar Island?
Oar Island is half-way along Maine’s rocky coast (about 1 ¼ hours north-east of Portland), and lies at the mouth of the Medomak River in stunning Muscongus Bay. It covers about 42 acres and has a beautiful mile-long coastline. A true private island, it has only two houses (one larger, one smaller), which are rentable either together or separately.
Oar Island is one of Muscongus Bay’s most picturesque islands. It is covered with natural woodland, and has beautiful views every way you turn. To the south is the sparkling island-studded ocean, to the north are the misty blue Camden Hills.
If you want a vacation that lets you enjoy the beauty of unspoiled nature from the comfort of your own snug house, then Oar Island is the perfect choice. Whether you’re with the whole family or you're on your honeymoon, Oar Island gives you an entire kingdom of your own. It’s yours for the enjoying.
Living in Balance with Nature
Respecting Our Water Source
Life on Oar Island is a balance between enjoying modern comforts and respecting nature. Unlike most islands, we are fortunate to have utility electricity that provides a stable source of electric power. Our water source is a drilled well of very sweet natural water - no chlorine, no fluoride - but the well depends on rainfall to stay full. With overuse, and especially during dry weather, the water can begin to taste brackish. Part of island living is respecting our fresh-water source, including: taking short showers (aim for 2 minutes of running water), turning off the water while shaving, brushing teeth and lathering hands, and also washing dishes with one sink of soapy water (not under running water). We provide a pump toilet that uses conserved rainwater for flushing. Our visitors do their part by conserving our precious island water source!
Lowering Carbon Emissions
We also try to reduce our carbon footprint by *not* asking a cleaning service to come in after each guest. This allows us to avoid the carbon emissions that a cleaning person would create by using both a car and motor-boat to reach the island every few days. It also allows us to keep our rental prices down! All we ask is that guests complete a simple clean-up routine before departing. A checklist is posted in both Cottage and Cabin kitchens and the requested cleaning takes less than two hours (depending on cottage or cabin) to complete. Our philosophy is: leave it the way you’d like to find it.
Life on Oar Island is a balance between enjoying modern comforts and respecting nature. Unlike most islands, we are fortunate to have utility electricity that provides a stable source of electric power. Our water source is a drilled well of very sweet natural water - no chlorine, no fluoride - but the well depends on rainfall to stay full. With overuse, and especially during dry weather, the water can begin to taste brackish. Part of island living is respecting our fresh-water source, including: taking short showers (aim for 2 minutes of running water), turning off the water while shaving, brushing teeth and lathering hands, and also washing dishes with one sink of soapy water (not under running water). We provide a pump toilet that uses conserved rainwater for flushing. Our visitors do their part by conserving our precious island water source!
Lowering Carbon Emissions
We also try to reduce our carbon footprint by *not* asking a cleaning service to come in after each guest. This allows us to avoid the carbon emissions that a cleaning person would create by using both a car and motor-boat to reach the island every few days. It also allows us to keep our rental prices down! All we ask is that guests complete a simple clean-up routine before departing. A checklist is posted in both Cottage and Cabin kitchens and the requested cleaning takes less than two hours (depending on cottage or cabin) to complete. Our philosophy is: leave it the way you’d like to find it.
What Is There to Do?
Once you’re here you may find you never want to leave. Whether you’re sitting back on the porch and drinking in the scenery, or exploring the island’s woods and dells, you’ll find that there’s more than enough to see and do without even getting in the boat. For example...
The Shore
The island’s rugged mile-long shore is only 10-15 feet from each house, so at high tide you can jump in the water for a swim right outside your front door. For seafood as fresh as it comes, go outside at low tide to gather wild blue mussels and soft-shell clams for dinner. A walk along the shore lets you explore the tide pools, where you might find starfish and sea urchins, sea anemones, and whelks. You can also gather the wild samphire and orach for a fresh green salad, and the rocks are a perfect spot for picnics.
The Woods
Follow the forest trails to search for sweet wild blueberries and huckleberries to snack on. You’ll also find orchids and sundews blooming in the sunny clearings. Look up and you’ll see osprey, kingfishers, and blue herons fishing and nesting, and you might even catch sight of our own resident bald eagle pair. At night, children can have the adventure of camping in the woods – with the safety that only a small private island gives you.
The Stars
Oar Island will show you the Milky Way as you’ve never seen it. Far from urban light pollution, you’ll find that the stars here are more brilliant than you knew they could be. Brush up on your constellations and see how many you can spot!
Fishing
Go salt-water fishing off the end of the dock or from the island shore. You can also take out the rowboat and see what you find off-shore. Just ask at the local marina to find out what fish are biting and where to find them.