In your own vessel
From
Rockland, steer due south magnetic after you round Owls Head and Monroe
Island, heading for the Southwest Point of Matinicus. You should be outside
of the three Black Rocks, but pay attention for the fourth black rock at
a very low tide.
The water is deep right up to the point, but you probably want to keep off it a bit, since there are a lot of trap buoys. Turn the corner and head right for the harbor.
Do not go for the Harbor Ledge Nun: a straight course from the buoy to the harbor will run you hard aground on the ledge. The Coast Guard says the buoy is a mid-channel marker and not a harbor entrance buoy; in any case, the aren't about to move it.
The harbor is deep, except for a ledge that shows at low tide on the north side. Do not anchor; there are ground lines which will foul, and besides, there is no room. At low tide, six or seven feet is about the maximum that will clear the ground lines. Ask for a mooring, if there is none available, you'll have to leave. All the moorings and docks are privately owned, so please treat them with respect.
The large wharf carries six feet at low tide. Please do not lay or tie dinghies there. (Dinghies belong on the beach).
Some cruising books recommend to lay in Seal Cove. WRONG. While it looks beautiful at high tide, at low tide boulders show everywhere and the entrance breaks with a surge.
Without a vessel
There is no commercial service to Criehaven. There used to be an airstrip, but the trees have grown up.Some people fly to Matinicus, take a "taxi" to the harbor, and then get a ride to Criehaven. The strip on Matinicus is privately owned, and last I heard the owner was not permitting private planes to land.
There is a state ferry to Matinicus once or twice a month, at high tide.
One could rent a helicopter from Brunswick or Portland. Make sure the weather is clear.
Dick Moody (Matinicus) has a commercial license and charters out his boat. He often stops at either Matinicus Island or Matinicus Rock, which greatly lengthens the trip. You can also get there by the Matinicus Island Water Taxi. You can reach him at HOWEN@MIDCOAST.COM or telephone (207) 366-3476, cellular phone (207) 557-5856.
Our friends the Coast Guard have made it difficult to charter a private vessel. They are enforcing the licensing regulations, which means very few operators are allowed to carry passengers for hire.
Facilities and Considerations
Criehaven is a small, private community. While visitors are usually welcomed, please remember that ALL the land is privately held. Please obey these common sense rules:- No fires
- No camping
- No hunting
- Take all your garbage with you. Especially cigarette butts.
- We don't have fences, but please respect our privacy. Don't walk across lawns, peer into windows, etc.
- No public restrooms. Ask before using an outhouse.
- Water is limited. A bucket from the well is not a problem, but don't fill up your tanks.
- Respect that working fishermen sleep early and wake early.