Dolphin Marina – Mooring Ball (Harpswell, ME)

Dolphin Marina
515 Basin Point Rd, Harpswell, ME 04079

Date of Service: Wednesday, 7/15/26 – Monday, 7/20/26 (Mooring Ball #13, Mooring Ball #23 & Mooring Ball #56)
Cons: Congested Mooring Field Pockets, Lack of Potable Water, Multiple Mooring Ball Moves, No Wake Signage, Pricey Mooring ($80/Day), Restaurant Traffic, Restroom Cleanliness, & Too Busy Mooring Field
Pros: Brochure Quality, Dockwa Responsiveness, Complimentary Breakfast Delivery, Deep Water, Dock Conditions, Friendly Staff, Launch Service, Mooring Ball Guidance, Owner(s) Presence, Restaurant Onsite (The Dolphin Restaurant), Serene Setting, & Working Owner(s)

• 3 Acre Open Space
• 30 & 50 Amp Power
• Boat House
• Clean Marina Standards
• Complimentary Bicycle & Kayak Use
• Complimentary Laundry (1 Washer & 1 Dryer)
• Complimentary WiFi
• Composite Pump Out Float
• Courtesy Vehicle Available
• Crane Service ($)
• Emergency Dive Service ($)
• Event Space (Indoor & Outdoor) ($)
• Floating Docks
• Hauling Service ($)
• Launch Service
• Maine Live Lobster Delivered to Boat
• 80 Mooring Balls ($)
• Picnic Tables
• Pre-Arrival Concierge Service ($)
• Restroom (2) & Shower (1)
• 40 Slips ($)
• ValvTect Marine Fuel: Gas & Diesel ($)

Comments: Across the parking lot is a working commercial fishing wharf at Basin Point, Erica’s Seafood (Harpswell, ME). Cash only, outdoor picnic table dining from 11AM – 7PM. Their shop is open from 8AM – 7PM for fresh seafood purchases. Both closed on Wednesday’s.

Adheres to a Strict Water Shortage Policy, the facility operates on a drilled well and must purchase external water. Therefore does not provide dockside water to fill your tanks, so be full upon arrival. Such rule applies for even docked vessels, as the water is shut off on the dock as well.

Attended Vessel Rule: Strictly prohibited from leaving your vessel unattended overnight; a guest must remain on board during your stay.

Because the tip of the peninsula is mostly private residential properties, for a longer walk head north along Basin Point Road. It is a scenic, quiet coastal road paved for walking, though it lacks dedicated sidewalks.

Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust Farmers Market (aka: Crystal Spring Farmers Market) (Brunswick, ME) is only hosted on Saturday’s 8:30AM – 12:30PM seasonally from May – October, whether rain or shine.

Complimentary composite pump out float is self-service and available 24/7. Well marked and located in the middle of the mooring field.

Daily whether your docked or moored, the staff traditionally delivers fresh coffee and warm blueberry muffins directly to your boat.

Dingy excursions: Cribston Bridge, Cliff Island, Eagle Island State Park, Jewel Island, Reversing Falls, and Shark Cove.

Direct and deep water access from the Atlantic Ocean.

During our stay we were moved to three different mooring balls. Fortunately, towed by the marina’s launch boat staff.

Eagle Island State Historic Site (2 miles) is nearby.

For our fellow Nordy’s the mooring ball assignment will be with a yellow pick up stick. Others are red.

Founded in 1966, remains family operated and owned.

Fuel dock is in the middle of the outside face dock.

Gold status as a Clean Marina by the Maine Marine Trades Association (MMTA).

Hiking Trails, Beaches, & Preserves: Curtis Farm Preserve (2 miles), George J Mitchell Field (3 miles), Pott’s Point Preserve (3 miles), and Stover’s Point Preserve (3 miles).

If you want a classic dining experience, order the award-winning Haddock Fish Chowder or Lobster Stew with the sweet muffin paired with the savory, buttery broth, their famous signature combination.

Launch boat guides mooring ball transients to their ball.

Launch comes by every morning and offers up complimentary fresh blueberry muffins and coffee around 8AM – 9AM.

Live lobster can be delivered to your boat.

Located at the tip of Basin Point, South Harpswell, along the water’s edge of Pott’s Harbor, offering unrivaled views of Casco Bay.

Maine State Music Theater (12 miles) is a short distance via vehicle.

Mill Pond, is a local favorite spot for catching striped bass.

Mooring Balls are white with blue numbering.

Of the three mooring balls #56 was by far the worst due it’s location and traffic cut for the restaurant.

Potts Harbor is very open and offers scant protection from southerly winds.

Pott’s Harbor is a picturesque harbor to enjoy.

Property has a private landing zone, and it is a common for helicopter landings for dinner.

Protected by the surrounding islands of Bailey, Birch, Eagle, Flag, Haskell, Horse, and Whaleboat.

Provision prior to arrival because the facility nor surrounding area has any grocery options.

Set amongst the Calendar Islands of Casco Bay.

Surprised with a incoming storm of 30mph southerly winds that moored vessels were cluttered together as vacancy existed. We swung at a different pace and sometimes direction to our neighbor, a sailing vessel which seemed close on several occassions.

Tender accessible alternative dining options are Cook’s Lobster & Ale House (Bailey Island, ME) and Sundrenched (Bailey Island, ME).

The dining room can get incredibly packed during prime summer hours. Skip the main hostess line if it is long and look for open seating in the casual Tavern area or on the gorgeous outdoor deck facing the bay.

The Dolphin Restaurant is open seasonally from April – November. Famously known for blueberry muffins, fish chowder, hand cut steaks, lobster stew, lobster dinner, local seafood, and homemade desserts. 

The restroom and shower area are lined with deck floor panel square which collect dirt.

Three open green spaces: Basin Point, Boathouse Lawn, and Waterfront Lawn.

Uses Dockwa online reservation system.

Walking the immediate perimeter of the point gives you panoramic, 180 degree shoreline views of Potts Harbor and Casco Bay. From the edge of the property, you can view several surrounding islands like Bailey Island, Haskell Island, and Whaleboat Island.

While Jacques was napping I noticed the port side mooring ball moving within 2′ of the hull, Jacques later saw 4′. He hailed the dock staff who quickly came out and drag the mooring ball. Eventually, it found it’s way back towards us. Surprisingly, one of the owners came and attempted to drag it as well, but that didn’t work so he offered to move us to mooring ball #23 (from #13). We greatly appreciate the care and mindfulness!

Stay Again: Maybe