Welcome to Vinalhaven, ME

The best anchorage for small craft is reported to be on the east and southeast side of Carvers Harbor; the western side is principally used by commercial craft and fishermen. In 2003, the harbor had depths of about 11 feet in the center, about 8.0 to 10.0 feet along the north and south sides, and 5.8 feet in the access channel leading to a basin off the town landing at the head; depths of about 1.8 to 5.4 feet were available in the basin.
There is a harbormaster who assigns the moorings in the anchorage. A speed limit of 5 miles per hour is enforced within the harbor.
The depths at the ferry wharf and float landings vary from 6 to 10 feet. Diesel fuel, gasoline, ice, water, provisions, and some marine supplies are available at a landing east of the ferry wharf. There are four boatyards on Vinalhaven Island, one on Indian Creek, one in Sand Cove, and two in Carvers Harbor. Craft up to 50 feet in length can be hauled out for hull or engine repairs or dry open or covered winter storage. Emergency radio repairs can be made.
There are churches, a library, bank, movies, inns, lodging houses, medical and nursing services, restaurants, and picnic areas.
Navigation:
Click the “Map View” button above to see a chart of this harbor.
There are four channels in the approaches to Carvers Harbor. The entrance from southwestward is between Heron Neck Ledge and James and Willies Ledge; from the northwestward through The Reach; from the eastward through the channel between Vinalhaven Island and the islands and ledges south of it; and from the southward west of Colt Ledge and between Arey Ledges and The Breakers. The controlling depth in the entrance channel is 19 feet between Potato Island and Dodge Point on the north side of the entrance to the harbor.
Indian Creek, just eastward of Carvers Harbor, has an entrance from the sea and also a connecting passage to Carvers Harbor. A fixed highway bridge crossing the passage has a clearance of 8 feet. The passage is not safe for strangers.
Carvers Harbor Entrance Light 2 (44°02’03″N., 68°50’37″W.), 19 feet above the water and shown from an iron spindle with a red triangular daymark on the west end of Green Ledge, marks the entrance to the harbor.
Dangers
James and Willies Ledge, 5 feet high with rocks awash at the south end, is on the north side of the southwestern approach at its junction with Hurricane Sound. It is part of the extensive ledge area extending southward from Hurricane Island. A buoy is south of the area.
Heron Neck Ledge, 7 feet high, is on the southern edge of the southwestern approach and is unmarked.
Folly Ledge is a bare unmarked ledge on the west side of the channel at the junction of the eastern, southern, and southwestern approaches. Green Ledge is on the east side of the channel in the inner approach to Carvers Harbor. It is marked by Carvers Harbor Entrance Light 2.
Point Ledge, covered 4 feet and marked by a daybeacon, is 0.7 mile east of Folly Ledge.