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Monhegan Photo Essay

A picture is worth a thousand words.

There is a lot of truth to this saying and therefore I will gladly let the pictures do the talking in this photo essay on little Monhegan Island.

Monhegan Island in Twenty Photos

View of the village from the lighthouse.

Monhegan is the only village on Monhegan Island. There is a great view from the lighthouse on the hill.

Monhegan Island Light.

The Monhegan Island Light is located on a hill behind the village and was built in 1850.

Unpaved road on Monhegan Island, Maine.

There are no paved roads, nor cars on the island. To get around you just walk on gravel roads like this.

Gardens on Monhegan Island.

The gardens of every house are impeccable…

White house on Monhegan Island.

… and the wooden houses themselves are beautifully painted.

Fishing boat in Monhegan.

The local economy still largely depends on fishing and lobstering.

Boats on the beach in Monhegan.

Permanent residents probably all have a boat to get around the island.

Beautiful little house in Monhegan.

There are less than 100 people living on Monhegan Island permanently. In summer, the population grows with the arrival of artists and handicrafters.

Beach on Monhegan Island.

The village’s small beach is a center of activity. There is a nice fish market and seafood restaurant, and it’s right next to the tiny port.

Lobster cages in the village.

Everywhere in the village you can see big stacks of lobster cages.

Seafood restaurant in Monhegan, Maine.

The seafood restaurant at the beach serves the freshest seafood possible.

Handicraft shop in Monhegan, Maine.

In summer lots of artists and artisans flock to the island for a few months and set up shop.

Lupine Gallery in Monhegan.

The village of Monhegan has several small art galleries and craft shops.

View of Monhegan Village, Maine.

You can walk all over the island on hiking trails and unpaved roads, sometimes offering nice views of Monhegan Village.

Neat house and gardens.

While the year-round population is about 65 nowadays, in summer the island attracts dozens of new visitors each day.

Unhurried daily life in Monhegan.

Monhegan Island makes for an ideal day trip, but people who want to get away from it all can stay in one of the B&Bs or at the hotel and enjoy the unhurried pace and relaxed atmosphere of this isolated island.

Ferry to Monhegan Island.

The island is located approximately ten miles from the mainland of Maine and can only be reached by boat.

Monhegan library.

Besides the galleries and shops, there is also a library, church and school.

The Monhegan Brewing Company.

There are no bars on the island, but the community does have its very own brewery.

Pint of beer at the brewing company.

The local brewing company knows what its doing and pours some tasty beers.

Caroline and I spent a full day on Monhegan Island in the beginning of August. We hiked around, visited a couple of galleries, sampled some local beers and had a delicious lobster roll.

It is definitely a destination that’s off the beaten track – very literally in many ways – but paying a visit is highly recommended if you happen to find yourself in Maine sometime. I hope that this photo essay gives you an idea of what it looks like and that it triggers your desire to go there. If it does and you do, please don’t hesitate to let me know what your thoughts are.

Want more information? Take a look at the visitor website.

You can find more of my photos in my travel photography portfolio.

Agnieszka Klara Walewinder

Friday 19th of September 2014

It's so charming and beautiful. I love the small blue windows! Wish I could spend there a day or two.

Bram Reusen

Friday 19th of September 2014

It's such a picturesque - what a cliché! - place.