Overlook what you realize in regards to the East Coast for a second. Go away behind the clusters of city sprawl and Florida’s vibrant seaside cities.
There’s a map-dot island hardly anybody appears to speak about that provides off severe Iceland vibes, with otherworldly landscapes, edge-of-the-world vibes, and, after all, puffin excursions — yep, proper right here within the U.S.
It’s true; you don’t need to enterprise off to certainly one of Europe’s most costly nations to see nature’s cutest flock of birds, nor do it’s important to cowl your eyes strolling previous the world’s solely museum devoted to male anatomy.
Whereas this island hideaway might not have borderline addictive sizzling canines topped with pylsusinnep, its seafood choice is unmatched, providing much better choices than fermented shark (sorry, Vikings — it’s simply not good).
Is it a precise reproduction of Iceland, just like the Faroe Islands?
No, nevertheless it’s the closest factor the U.S. has, with open skies for stargazing, rugged shoreline, quirky cottages, and extra — paying homage to the Iceland I visited in 2015 earlier than it felt found by the plenty.
We at Travel Off Path are sure that when you give this unheard-of island in Maine a good shake, you received’t come residence wishing you’d spent a fortune to go all the way in which to Reykjavik.
Puffin Season Kicks Off In Might 🐧
If there’s one factor topping bucket lists world wide, it is seeing puffins up shut and private of their pure habitat.
However the misnomer appears to be that almost all People suppose they need to fly ‘throughout the pond’ to just do that.
That is merely not the case. There are literally a number of locations throughout North America the place puffins flock ashore annually — coastal Maine being one of many high spots for seasonal excursions.
In reality, one of many greatest attracts of visiting Monhegan Island this time of yr is its entry to close by Jap Egg Rock, the place it is stated as much as 150 nesting pairs of puffins might be noticed every season.
Maine’s hidden island, even locals might not know, might not have been in your 2026 Bingo card, nevertheless it’s not too late to pencil it in.
This blissful island, away from any sliver of metropolis chaos, provides a number of puffin tour operators — the earliest of which is about to kick off in Might:
Pack Your Digital camera For Monhegan’s ‘Interstellar’ Landscapes
The excellent news is that this island feels so untouched past the welcome of the shared namesake city of Monhegan that you will really feel like you’ve got all of it to your self (and the estimated 65 people who stay right here).
The dangerous information is leisure drone use is heavily restricted, which can clarify why TikTokers have not flooded this place making epic movies certainly to invade your algorithm.
Whether or not you are old-fashioned with a Polaroid or mastered iPhone digital camera wizardry, Monhegan Island’s dramatic cliffs and moody seascapes will go away you doing a double take as when you’re on Interstellar’s movie set.
One unmissable place to scope out is The Headlands, situated on the rear facet of the island, boasting among the highest ocean cliffs of Maine and simply akin to Iceland’s Dyrhólaey and Reynisfjara (minus the black sand).
Getting Right here & The place To Keep
As you may’ve imagined, being so small, Monhegan Island is simply accessible by boat.
Sadly, you may’t merely fly into Portland and hop aboard a ferry. It’s kind of extra of an journey.
Getting right here requires departing from Port Clyde or New Harbor aboard one of many aforementioned tour operators, additionally providing puffin excursions.
When you arrive, you may discover comparable quirky, colourful cottages such as you see dotted round Iceland.
Our high decide for a memorable keep is The Cracked Mug. I imply, what sounds homier than that?
You Will not Discover Anyplace Stateside That Feels Safer
Earlier this yr, we reported that Maine was ranked as America’s safest state, regardless of when you’re vacationing in certainly one of many charming coastal cities like Kennebunkport or the largest metropolis, Portland.
For instance, most crime tends to occur in bigger populations, however Portland is presently scoring as 85/100 on our real-time security index — one of many highest scores for any U.S. vacation spot.
When you actually give it some thought, if Portland is that protected, an under-the-radar island with lower than 70 year-round residents is a type of traditional locations you hear about on old-timey sitcoms, “the place everyone leaves their doorways unlocked”.
To not proceed on this Iceland practice, however the comparisons maintain chuggin’ alongside for this unicorn vacation spot.
Maine is the most secure state, and Iceland is broadly considered the world’s safest countries yr in and yr out.
So whereas Monhegan will not be a carbon copy, it faucets into that very same sense of calm with equally putting, offbeat attractions — from astounding coastal surroundings to the seen stays of the D.T. Sheridan shipwreck, likened to Iceland’s Sólheimasandur aircraft wreck, one of many nation’s most sought-after photo-ops.
Offered but?
