PORT CLYDE is easy to enter and a reasonably good harbor. It can be miserable, however, in strong winds from the southwest or northwest. It is primarily a working harbor for draggers and fishermen, whose picturesque houses and wharves line the northern shore.
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This is also the starting point for the Laura B., which takes passengers to Monhegan Island at the rate of 1,000 a week in midsummer. Although this generates good business for local residents, the parking lots for Monhegan passengers threaten to overrun the small town. The old-fashioned and delightful Port Clyde General Store is the center of activity.
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Before the Revolution, the channel inside Hupper Island bore the euphonious name of Lobsterfare. The pragmatic British changed it to Herring Gut at about the time the town was first settled. In 1891, the town’s name became Port Clyde.
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Shipbuilding was the major industry here during the 1800s. When that declined, the town turned to canning lobsters, clams, and fish, and finally back to lobstering and fishing.
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Approaches. Harbor chart. Approaching from the west or south, there are two usual routes. The first is through Davis Strait between Thompson and Davis Island. This passage is narrow but straightforward. Or, if you are outside Allen Island, you can approach Port Clyde by running northward between Allen and the Burnt islands, leaving Dry Ledges to port and more or less following the cable area shown on the chart to green bell “11.”
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From both routes, leave green bell “11” and can “9” and can “7” to starboard (they mark the east-west route). From can “7”, head north into the harbor, where the marks follow the usual red-right-returning: nun “2” to starboard and can “3” to port.
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There is a northern entrance to Port Clyde between Hupper Island and Hupper Point, which can be used by most boats except at dead low because of the 5 and 6-foot spots between Hupper Island and Raspberry Island, the small, wooded island to the northeast, unnamed on the chart. Come through slowly on a rising tide.
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There is also an exciting back-door entrance with deep water between Raspberry Island and the mainland, but it is difficult and should be avoided without local knowledge. A ledge extends northeastward from Raspberry 150 feet or more beyond the portion of ledge visible at low tide. The trick is to stick to within 15 or 20 feet of the docks on the mainland and to creep along with a lookout on the bow.
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Coming from Tenants Harbor or points farther east, the passage is easy and well marked. Turn at red bell “2” south of Mosquito Island and pass north of The Brothers, keeping can “5” to port and nun “4” to starboard. Turn northward into the Harbor around nun “6” off Marshall Point and the Marshall Point Light. This lighthouse has a white tower, and the distinctive bridge leading to it looks like a small Roman aqueduct.
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Anchorages, Moorings. The Port Clyde General Store puts out 25 heavy rental moorings (inquire at the store). There is plenty of room if you prefer to anchor, but the depths in midharbor are substantial at 26 to 35 feet at low.

Getting Ashore. Land at the Port Clyde General Store floats to the left of the large wooden wharf or land at the town floats just the to the left of that.
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For the Boat. Port Clyde General Store (Ch. 09, 28; 207-372-6543). The docks of the Port Clyde General Store lie between the Monhegan boat landing to the southeast and the town float to the northwest. The floats have 10 feet of water at low and gas, diesel, water, and electricity. Tie-up time is limited to 20 minutes. Approach with caution. The docks are generally busy with fishing boats, the Outward Bound launches from Burnt Island, and pleasure boats of all kinds.
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If you need fuel, beware that the channel between the float and the stone fill to the left is narrow and that the outer end of the float is prone to tidal currents that can veer your boat as you approach. The General Store's marine department stocks charts, ice, and some marine hardware.
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Town Landing. The town landing, to the west of the floats of the General Store, has short-term dockage on the front of the float and dinghy space on the back. There are no other facilities.
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For the Crew. The General Store stocks almost anything you need, from groceries and ice to lobsters, newspapers, and wine. They also carry plenty of things you don’t need but should have—including showers—and things you shouldn’t have, but want, like the baked goods. The Dip Net takeout can set you up with pizza, crabrolls, or lobsters on the wharf.
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There is a pay phone at the Monhegan Boat Landing and another on the front porch of the Ocean House, a bed and breakfast up the hill to the right. The Village Ice Cream and Bakery is across the street. The post office and a small, but welcome, playground are just beyond. Left down the dirt road by the playground is the Fishermen’s Co-op and seafood market.
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Things to Do. In any town with a ferry, one of the principal occupations and greatest pleasures is to go down to the dock and watch the boats loading or unloading. This is particularly true in Port Clyde, where the Laura B. and Elizabeth Ann load up for the Monhegan trip. Or, if you have the time, make the trip yourself. See Monhegan.
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For a pleasant walk of a mile each way, take the first right along the shore to the Marshall Point Light. The view is spectacular. The lighthouse dates from 1833, and the lightkeeper’s house has been restored as an historical museum.