Located on Mount Desert Island and nestled between the mountains of Acadia National Park and the Atlantic Ocean, the Town of Bar Harbor is an historic and vibrant jewel. Bar Harbor is the island’s artistic, culinary and social center. It offers the charm of a small New England fishing village with all of the attractions of a major resort, including a wide range of restaurants, activities, shopping, services, accommodations, and lively nightlife.

Surrounded on 3-sides by the 41,000 acre Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor serves a base for park visitors. Whether you’re walking, biking or driving, Acadia National Park is just minutes away. The Island and the surrounding Gulf of Maine it is home to a variety of wildlife. Whales, porpoises, seals, bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and osprey are commonly sighted. You may also get a glimpse of deer, beaver, and fox as well as the more elusive moose, coyote and puffin.

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SHIP ANCHORAGE SPECIFICATIONS

The Town of Bar Harbor has regulatory authority over anchorage and disembarkation of passengers into the town. To reserve anchorage and landing facilities contact the Harbor Master. Upon making reservations the Cruise Line agrees to abide by all laws and regulations of the Town of Bar Harbor. The Town of Bar Harbor owns and operates two floating docks suitable for use by ships tenders to embark and disembark passengers. These floats are located at the Town Pier. There is also a private facility called Harbor Place that accepts cruise ships passengers and offers tendering services to visiting ships. All floats are charted and in close proximity to the downtown area.

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Mandatory Routes
Cruise Ship Operators should be aware that the waters on the approach to Bar Harbor are heavily fished by the use of fixed fishing gear. The presence of colored floats will indicate the fixed fishing gear and should be avoided. There are charted routes on NOAA Charts #13318 and #13312 which should be strictly followed. Please contact the Harbor Master Office for further assistance. Schedule the arrival at the pilot station carefully to avoid unnecessary maneuvering.

Tendering
Ships are encouraged to use local tendering services available at Harbor Place. Ships, which use their own tenders to transport passengers to and from landing facilities in Bar Harbor, must ensure that all operators abide by all applicable navigational rules. Navigation lights and sound signals should be used during periods of reduced visibility and after sunset. Bar Harbor inner harbor is a NO WAKE ZONE and is clearly marked.

NATURAL WONDERS

Acadia National Park
The only national park located in the Northeast United States, Acadia
boasts an impressive 41,000 acres of land comprised of mountains, cliffs,
beaches and coastline. Over 100 miles of hiking trails and 57 miles of
crushed rock, auto-free carriage roads are available for hiking, biking,
strolling, and horseback riding.

Humpback Whale Feeding Areas
Whale Watch excursions leave several times each day from Bar Harbor taking you to the aquatic playground of the migratory humpback whales. The finback, minke and right whales are also commonly sighted on tours.

Cadillac Mountain
At 1,532 feet, Cadillac Mountain is the highest point on the eastern
seaboard of the United States. It is the first spot in the United States to see the sunrise. There are several viewing areas which offer spectacular
sights of Frenchman Bay and the island. All viewing areas can be easily reached by car, bike or by hiking trails.