Southwest Harbor, ME to Mt Desert, ME

Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Departure: Dysart’s Great Harbor Marina (Southwest Harbor, ME) (Dock C) 11AM

Special Comments:

Departure Day!
Frustrating that our Amazon order got routed to UPS for delivery, which has been delayed for the past four days. Likely not to arrive before our departure hour as the marina has a Rendezvous fleet arriving. So, we’ll need to return for the package. In our cruising experience, UPS is absolutely the worst when it comes to deliveries!
Jacques has really enjoyed conversing with the hired Captain of M/V Marie.
Cruising between the two marinas, OMG was there so many lobster lines. Perhaps, even the most we encountered at one particular place. Not fun dodging them in the channel with large vessels coming in the opposing direction and both requiring deep water.
As we were approaching the mooring field Jacques saw a seal surface. I didn’t see it, just the ring it left behind as I was occupied with my lines.
Wind is hollowing! First time, that I grabbed a mooring ball in 20/+KN winds.
All the quietness has Jacques taking a nap.
Our starboard neighbor, M/V AJAC Cruiser, a beautiful 65′ Marlow Explorer.
Lowered the tender after Jacques nap to pick up my meds finally delivered Dysart’s Great Harbor Marina (Southwest Harbor, ME). Noticing the white caps, I opted to stay onboard and not be the drenched ballast. Upon his return we’ll have a early dinner at Abel’s Lobster (Mt Desert, ME).
Got port side neighbors, M/V Amanda, a Fleming yacht.

About Mt Desert, ME:

Approximately 2,202 (2025) year round residents.
Became a summer colony for ultra-wealthy American dynasties: Astors, Rockefellers, and Vanderbilts.
Cadillac Mountain from October – March, is the first place in the continental USA to see the sunrise.
Cadillac Mountain stands at 1,532′ and is the highest point on the US Atlantic coast.
Each village is unique in its anchorages and attractions.
Features crystal-clear lakes, and a heavily forested, rocky coastline, and (18) rugged granite peaks.
Incorporated in 1789.
Island is split nearly in half by Somes Sound, which is recognized as the only true glacial fjord or “fjard” in the eastern US.
Islands include: Cranberry Island, Bartlett’s Island, Robertson’s Island, and Beech Island.
John D Rockefeller Jr (1874 – 1960), American Financier & Philanthropist famously financed and designed the island’s 45 mile network of broken stone carriage roads.
Median house price was $907,250 (2024), approximately 2.5 times higher than the median house price across the state.
Entrepreneur and television personality, Martha Stewart owns a home here.
Samuel de Champlain (1567 – 1635), French Explorer named it (1604) Île des Monts Déserts (Island of Bare Mountains) because of its exposed and treeless granite summits.
Split into four distinct municipalities: Bar Harbor (bustling), Mount Desert (quieter municipality, includes: Somesville, Northeast Harbor, & Seal Harbor), Southwest Harbor (boatbuilding/fishing community), and Tremont (maritime).
Town comprises the villages of Hall Quarry, Northeast Harbor, Otter Creek, Pretty Marsh, Seal Harbor, and Somesville.
Wabanaki people called the island Pemetic (“the sloping land“).