Meet Peak’s Island
Peak’s Island is a picturesque island located in Casco Bay, Maine. Known for its stunning coastal views, quaint village atmosphere, and outdoor recreational opportunities, it’s a popular destination for both residents and tourists. The island offers beaches, hiking trails, and a charming downtown area with art galleries, shops, and eateries. Ferries provide access to the island from Portland, making it a convenient and scenic getaway spot.
Biking Map
I use the RideWithGPS website and app as my route planner and for my on-bike gps. Here’s a link to the Peak’s Island ride. You can download it to your mobile device.
Video Highlights
Photo Highlights
Start your day on the waterfront at Becky’s Diner with a solid fisherman’s breakfast. Lighter fare if you prefer.


It’s about a 15 minute ferry ride to the island from the terminal. Nice views along the way.

Fort Gorges is a historic military fort located on Hog Island Ledge in Casco Bay, Maine. Constructed in the mid-19th century, the granite fort was designed to defend the Portland Harbor. Its unique architectural features include pentagonal bastions, drawbridges, and a central courtyard. Fort Gorges never saw active combat and was largely decommissioned after World War I. It is now a popular tourist attraction accessible by boat, known for its well-preserved structure and scenic views.

The museum of the 5th Maine Regiment is worth a visit.

The Fifth Maine Museum is a historic site located on Peaks Island, Maine. It was originally established as a Civil War veterans’ organization in 1888, known as the “Fifth Maine Regiment Veteran Association.” The museum is housed in a beautiful Victorian building that was constructed in 1888 and served as the association’s headquarters. It’s situated on a scenic spot overlooking Casco Bay.

The museum focuses on preserving the history and stories of the Fifth Maine Regiment, which was a Union infantry regiment that served during the American Civil War. The exhibits and collections showcase artifacts, documents, and memorabilia related to the regiment’s service and the experiences of its members.

Visitors to the Fifth Maine Museum can learn about the regiment’s contributions to the Civil War, the lives of the soldiers, and the impact of the war on Maine and the nation as a whole. The museum provides valuable insights into this period of history and offers a chance to connect with the past through its exhibits and educational programs.

It’s fun running into surprises like this mini tugboat.

Find this creative use of the remains of a downed tree. Hint: Central Ave would be a place to start.

There’s no shortage of ocean views as you bike around the island. What it doesn’t have though is many sandy beaches.

Beaches
This is north of Portland and is known as Mid Coast Maine. The coast is more rocky than sandy so beaches are not so plentiful. The rocks are covered in very slippery seaweed so stay away from the rocks. There are some “pocket” beaches on Peak’s Island but I did not venture in to any. If you can recommend any please do so in the comments.
Food
In the area of the ferry terminal there are a number of places to eat. I didn’t eat at any of them other than to get a chocolate frappe. I was trying to catch the ferry back. A few hundred cold calories did the trick at this point after a bike ride.
Wood fired oven pizza in the woods? It’s closed on Monday’s so couldn’t try it but it is an interesting looking experience.

Miscellaneous
- Explore the island by bike, golf cart, kayak, or on foot. You can rent a bike from Brad’s Island Bike Rentals & Repairs or a golf cart from Island Tours. You can also kayak around the island or hike along the Backshore or Battery Steele trails.
- Learn about the island’s past and present at the Fifth Maine Museum, which showcases the history of Peaks Island and the Fifth Maine Civil War Regiment. This is a nice visit.
- Visit the unique and quirky attractions on the island, such as the Umbrella Cover Museum¹, which holds the Guinness World Record for the largest collection of umbrella covers. You can also see the artwork of local artists at Take a Peak¹ or the Gem Gallery.
- Relax and have fun at the beach, the park, or the ice cream shop. You can swim, sunbathe, or picnic at Sandy Beach or Centennial Beach². You can also play games or enjoy the scenery at Trefethen-Evergreen Improvement Association Park². And don’t forget to treat yourself to some Gifford’s Ice Cream or soft serve ice cream at Down Front.
References
(1) Visiting Peaks Island, Maine by Ferry – Things to Do – Casco Bay Lines. https://www.cascobaylines.com/islands/peaks-island-maine/.
(2) Home – Peaks Island. https://peaksisland.info/.
(3) Peaks Island – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peaks_Island.
(4) PeaksIsland.Com – Peaks Island vacation rentals, real estate, ferry …. https://peaksisland.com/.
(5) undefined. https://www.babaspeaksisland.com/.