RICHMOND ISLAND

43° 32.80’N 070° 14.58’W

SEAL COVE

43° 33.00’N 070° 14.17’W

4th ed. Cruising Guide page 59

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Charts: 13287, 13288

Chart Kit: 16

Southern coast overview chart

BEAUTIFUL Richmond Island lies a half a mile south of Cape Elizabeth and only seven miles from Portland. Its slopes are dark and wooded, with open meadows between, and its shoulders are rimmed with white sand beaches. There is a wonderful sense of remoteness and tranquillity here, a sense of being apart, even though the island is connected to the mainland by a breakwater.
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The French explorer Samuel Champlain originally dubbed the island “Isle of Bacchus” because of the large number of wild grapes he found there. Later, in 1627, the island was settled by the English. In the seventeenth century a number of ships were built here, and a thriving fishery employed more than 60 people. More recently, various enterprises have been attempted including potato farming, herb growing, and sheep raising. A big barn on the island’s north shore was once used as a root cellar to store potatoes. Several pairs of mink live here, as well as numerous woodchucks and deer, many with deep red coloration, supposedly from their diet of salt grass.
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The breakwater divides the area behind Richmond Island into two anchorages, Seal Cove to the northeast and Richmond Island Harbor to the southwest.
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Approaches. Seal Cove. From the south, pick up bell “1” east of Richmond Island before heading in to the middle of Seal Cove. This will take you clear of dangerous Watts Ledge. After passing East Point, coast along the north shore of Richmond Island, at least 200 yards offshore, toward the breakwater. There is plenty of room to clear the rocks and the shoals in the middle of Seal Cove.
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Richmond Island Harbor. Give West Ledge, off Richmond’s western tip, a wide berth to starboard and head for the middle of the harbor, leaving green can “3” to port.
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Anchorages, Moorings. Seal Cove. In normal summer weather, Seal Cove, east of the breakwater, provides the best protection. Depending on the direction of the wind, anchor near either end of the breakwater in 10 to 15 feet at low. Watch for buoys that may mark either fish nets or pens. The holding ground is good, in sand, but ocean swells tend to round the island and roll you to sleep.
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Although parts of the breakwater barely clear the surface at high tide, the line is easily visible. Drain tides expose the sands next to the breakwater, enabling the caretaker to drive his supplies out to the island. The lively park at Crescent Beach to the north is far enough away not to bother you but close enough to enjoy.
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Richmond Island Harbor. If winds are from the east, choose Richmond Island Harbor. Again, anchor in either corner of the breakwater in 10 to 15 feet at low and expect a roll.
COPYRIGHT 2002 DIAMOND PASS PUBLISHING
Getting Ashore. From any of the anchorages, it is an easy row ashore to gentle sand beaches.
COPYRIGHT 2002 DIAMOND PASS PUBLISHING
Things to Do. You are allowed to land on privately owned Richmond Island and picnic on the beach, but do not explore inland without checking first with the caretaker, who lives in the gray house at the crest of the meadow. We’ve had reports of black flies in the spring, so if you come then, come armed.
COPYRIGHT 2002 DIAMOND PASS PUBLISHING
Beautiful, sandy Crescent Beach circles the northern shore of Seal Cove. Crescent Beach is a state park (767-3625). If you dinghy ashore for a day of basking, beware of Seal Rocks and The Sisters offshore and surf that may make landing difficult.