Maine sellers are offering three private islands for buyers who want waterfront solitude without a multimillion-dollar price tag. Listings publicized this summer include a small ocean islet near Jonesport, a 28-acre off-grid parcel near Beals and a wooded island in the southeastern corner of Moosehead Lake — all with asking prices below $1 million.
Options range from a simple cabin to larger off-grid holdings
The most modest of the three, listed at $449,000, is a nearly 2-acre island off Jonesport that features a one-bedroom cabin built in 2013. The structure provides about 600 square feet of living space, with a main living area and kitchenette on the first floor and a sleeping loft accessed by ladder. Interior surfaces are wood floors and wood-paneled walls, and the property relies on a generator for electricity.
The Jonesport island’s shoreline is mostly rock with some sandy spots, and the cottage appears to lack both a bathroom and a permanent heating system, according to the listing. A large patio faces the grassy interior of the islet, giving 360-degree views of the ocean and neighboring islands.
At the higher end of the under-$1 million bracket is Pomp Island, near Beals, asking $995,000. This 28-acre property includes a three-bedroom, one-bath log cabin of roughly 990 square feet that was built in 1990. The cabin has a wraparound porch and a high-ceilinged open living space; utilities are limited and the property is only reachable by boat — about a 20-minute ride from the public landing in Jonesport.
Pomp Island’s home is primarily off-grid: solar panels supply electricity while propane powers appliances. Water is stored in a rain-fed cistern and sewage is managed by a septic holding tank. The listing indicates the dwelling is intended primarily as a three-season retreat, with a wood stove providing heat.
Finally, listed at $900,000, Snake Island sits in Beaver Cove at the southeastern corner of Moosehead Lake. The roughly 4-acre wooded island has been in one family’s ownership for about two decades and was placed on the market late in June.
What buyers should consider
- Access: All three islands are reachable only by boat, and Pomp Island is about a 20-minute ride from the nearest public landing in Jonesport.
- Utilities and services: Listings indicate limited or off-grid systems — generator or solar power, propane appliances, cistern water supply and septic holding tanks — so buyers must be prepared for nonstandard utility arrangements.
- Seasonal use: At least one property is marketed as a three-season retreat, which could affect year-round habitation plans and financing or insurance options.
Potential purchasers should weigh upfront costs against ongoing maintenance, transportation and infrastructure needs when considering island ownership in Maine. Buyers also typically need to plan for emergency access, waste management, fuel delivery and winterization if they intend year-round use.
At-a-glance comparison
| Location | Asking price | Acres | Main dwelling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jonesport area (Little Sheep Island) | $449,000 | Nearly 2 acres | 1-bedroom cabin, ~600 sq ft, generator; no apparent bath or heat |
| Beals (Pomp Island) | $995,000 | 28 acres | 3-bed log cabin, ~990 sq ft, solar, propane, cistern, septic |
| Beaver Cove, Moosehead Lake (Snake Island) | $900,000 | ~4 acres | Wooded island; long-time family ownership (no building details in listing) |
These listings illustrate the range of private-island offerings in Maine’s coastal and lake regions: small, simple islands close to shore; larger off-grid retreats; and wooded inland parcels on major recreational lakes. For buyers attracted to remoteness and waterfront views, island ownership provides unique rewards but also practical challenges that differ from mainland properties.
Local real estate agents, marine transportation providers and specialists in off-grid systems can assist prospective buyers with inspections, logistics and the feasibility of upgrades or seasonal use. Anyone considering these or similar properties should verify specifics of the listings and consult professionals about access, utilities, zoning and insurance before making an offer.
— Nora Whitfield, State Correspondent
