House rental on the Cranberry Isles, Maine - Classic Maine House on Cranberry Island with Ocean View - Property 136242

The area: Cranberry Island is 2.5 miles offshore, with a spectacular view of Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park, with frequent ferry service to Northeast Harbor and Southwest Harbor. It is the heart of the Maine sailing culture. The mainland abounds with music, theater, golf, mountains, restaurants, and good markets. Life on Cranberry Island is peaceful and low key. The natives and summer residents tend to be outgoing and helpful, and the Volunteer Fire Department, the church and new community center and museum all offer opportunities to meet the island residents--and help them run the annual Cranberry Island Fair. Children are especially welcome on the island, and usually make friends easily.

Cranberry Island: Cranberry Island is very beautiful. There are numerous simple but lovely traditional Downeast houses, here, and life there is laid-back and enjoyable, even on foggy days. The island has a long nautical history, and is famous for its lobsters. The community is culturally diverse and resourceful. Since the mid-20th century, a nationally renowned group of painters, mainly Abstract Expressionists, have spent their summers on the island. The tennis club welcomes the use of visitors and is free to our renters. The community church has a superb minister. Since 2006, the island community has worked hard to complete a new cultural facility called 'Cranberry House,' which is dedicated both to preserving the rich cultural history of this resourceful coastal town and to encouraging live music, art, poetry, and other forms of entertainment for year-rounders and vacationers (& their guests). Rentors are always pleased with their visits, and many of them return from year to year.

Surroundings: Cranberry Island is conveniently situated and well served by frequent ferries from both Southwest Harbor and Northease Harbor. The Bar Harbor Airport, about 20 minutes away (depending on traffic!), and is served by regular scheduled airline service. Less expensive flights can be found with Bangor International Airport as your destination-- a little over an hour away from Northeast or Southest Harbors (again, depending on traffic!). The Bar Harbor Hospital is a good, basic general hospital. The Downeast Medical Center offers high-quality service in all specialities. Sailboats and outboard boats are available for charter or rental in Southwest Harbor. Hinckley's offers top of the line sailboats for charter. The Great Harbor Marina in Southwest Harbor also has excellent charter services. There are regular whale-watching excursions from Northeast Harbor. There is good mackerel fishing in the area starting in mid-July, and often can be caught from the town dock on a rising tide.