SNOW ISLAND

Corrected waypoint: 43° 48.66’N 069° 54.38’W

4th ed. Cruising Guide page 93 Maine Coast Guide: Casco Bay P. 192

Charts: 13290, 13288

Chart Kit: 60, 17

Casco Bay overview chart Harbor chart

SNOW ISLAND, at the head of Quahog Bay, is one of those idyllic anchorages you dream about in the dead of winter. It is a very special place—beautiful, tranquil, and, for the most part, uncrowded. The only counterpoint to nature’s music here is an occasional plane lumbering overhead from Brunswick Naval Air Station or those rare occasions when a yacht club cruise or boat-owners’ association has chosen the anchorage for its rendezvous.
COPYRIGHT 2002 DIAMOND PASS PUBLISHING
Snow Island is the private retreat of world-famous sailor Dodge Morgan. A red cottage sits at its southeast tip, and landing is not allowed. In the 1980s, Dodge Morgan broke set a new world record for a non-stop, single-handed sail around the world in his boat American Promise. You may see his latest vessel nearby, the stunning fan-tail steamer Quiet Presence, designed and built by Michael Porter on Chebeague Island.

Approaches. As you pass Pole Island, note the ledges extending northward. Tiny Center Island, with a spray of trees, is very obvious ahead. Bear to the right to avoid the rock south of center, then turn east and run south of Snow Island, which has a red house on its southeast tip.
COPYRIGHT 2002 DIAMOND PASS PUBLISHING
Anchorages, Moorings. Anchor south and east of Snow Island in 16 feet of water at low. The bottom is mud and holds well.
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You can also anchor between Snow Island and the several islets to the east or work your way along the mainland east of Snow Island to anchor near Ben Island in 9 to 11 feet. Beware, though, of a possible uncharted rock located southeast of Ben Island, between the 2 and the 9-foot soundings. Conceivably this is what makes the 2-foot sounding 2 feet. But sailors Kym and Paul Cournoyer say Ratherby Rock, as it is known, is awash at low and when covered “has claimed its share of prides.”
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Things to Do. Take your dinghy beyond Ben Island at high tide and turn right to explore a beautiful inlet. The southernmost of the islets is Little Snow Island, owned by the state.
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In these upper reaches of Quahog Bay, the water temperature is delightful and swimming is a pleasure, rather than an ordeal—even for those from the three-quick-strokes-and-you’re-out school.BROUGHT YOU THIS INFORMATION. BUY THE GUIDE!
Many thanks to Roger Ford for the corrected waypoint, above.