Question 1

When is McGee Island open for stays?

Accepted Answer

The rental season runs from mid-May through the end of October, with weekly Saturday-to-Saturday stays.

Question 2

How large a group can the island host?

Accepted Answer

Up to 24 guests across three historic buildings — 12 bedrooms and 6 full bathrooms in total. Groups of 20+ may inquire about future years earlier than the standard release date.

Question 3

How does booking work?

Accepted Answer

Choose a week on the Rates page, send your inquiry with group size and any questions, then confirm final details directly with the owner. No payment is collected on the website — final pricing and deposits are handled after we confirm fit.

Question 4

When do future years open for booking?

Accepted Answer

Future years become available after February 1 of the prior year. Larger groups (20+) may reach out earlier.

Question 5

Is there a security deposit?

Accepted Answer

Yes — a $1,000 refundable security deposit, shown separately from your stay total and returned per policy after your visit.

Question 6

Can we bring dogs?

Accepted Answer

Dogs may be allowed with a pet fee added to your stay. Specific policies, fees, and approvals are confirmed with the owner during the inquiry.

Question 7

Are children welcome?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Please share the ages and weights of any children when you arrange the trip with the caretaker so the right-size life preservers are aboard — Maine law requires children 12 and under to wear one on the boat.

Question 8

Where do we meet the caretaker?

Accepted Answer

Joe Bonney meets your group in Port Clyde at the dock behind the Monhegan Boat Lines building or at the Public Landing in Port Clyde.

Question 9

How do I get to Port Clyde?

Accepted Answer

From Thomaston, take Maine Route 131 (the Knox Museum is on your left when you turn on). Drive 10.3 miles to Tenants Harbor, go through town, and turn left at the white church on the right. Continue another 3.2 miles into the village of Port Clyde.

Question 10

Where do we park?

Accepted Answer

Park at the Monhegan Boat Lines lot. Reservations are recommended — call 207-372-8848 in advance. Drop your luggage at the dock first, then move your car to the upper lot on Glenmere Road and ride a pick-up van back.

Question 11

How big is the island boat?

Accepted Answer

The McGee Island boat — the Defiance — is 26 feet long and carries 10 to 12 people per trip depending on conditions. Larger groups simply take multiple trips on arrival and departure days.

Question 12

When should I contact the caretaker?

Accepted Answer

At least two weeks before your stay, share the number of adults and children, ages and weights of any children, and any ailments or infirmities. If you're running late, call Joe at 207-701-8081 as soon as possible.

Question 13

Can we make trips back to the mainland during the week?

Accepted Answer

Excursions into Port Clyde during the week are at the caretaker's discretion. Arrival and departure days have unlimited trips to move your group and luggage.

Question 14

What buildings are on the island?

Accepted Answer

Three main residential buildings: the Main House, the Cookhouse, and the Little Boat House. Most were built between 1913 and 1915, and most are uninsulated — part of the original character.

Question 15

How are the bedrooms laid out?

Accepted Answer

Main House: nine bedrooms and four bathrooms (two kings, three queens, three twin/twin, one single twin) across two floors. Cookhouse: one upstairs bedroom with three twin beds. Little Boat House: one upstairs bedroom with two queen beds.

Question 16

Are there TVs or radios?

Accepted Answer

No. There are no TVs or radios on McGee — the lack of distractions is part of the experience.

Question 17

Will I be warm at night?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All beds are equipped with electric mattress pad heaters — turn them on a few minutes before bed and crawl into a warm bed. The Main House also has a large stone fireplace with a plentiful supply of logs.

Question 18

Where should snorers or light sleepers stay?

Accepted Answer

The Main House isn't sound-insulated and the floorboards squeak. Snorers do best in the Front Porch, Nanny's, Boys', or Flag bedrooms. Light sleepers may want white-noise makers or ear plugs.

Question 19

Where does the group usually gather?

Accepted Answer

The Main House porch by day and the living room by night, especially around the stone fireplace. The Cookhouse dining room handles big group meals; outdoor picnic tables are popular in good weather.

Question 20

What's in the Cookhouse kitchen?

Accepted Answer

A commercial 8-burner range with two ovens, a fast commercial dishwasher, microwave and toaster ovens, a 25-cubic-foot refrigerator/freezer, and a full set of pots, pans, utensils, china, and glassware. Coffee maker, mixer, and blender included.

Question 21

How do we cook lobster or grill outdoors?

Accepted Answer

A 60-quart lobster pot with insert plus a portable propane burner and 5-gallon tank are provided for boiling lobsters, mussels, and clams outdoors. A large Weber gas BBQ outside the Cookhouse grills 20–25 pieces of chicken at once.

Question 22

Where do groups eat?

Accepted Answer

The Cookhouse dining room seats 15–18 comfortably, with a smaller breakfast/lunch area in the kitchen. Three picnic tables outside are the most popular option on nice Maine summer evenings.

Question 23

How does grocery shopping work?

Accepted Answer

Bring food from home or order ahead from Hannaford Brothers in Waldoboro (207-832-4358) or Rockland (207-594-2173) — call 48+ hours ahead, fax your list, and ask them to pack in cardboard boxes (plastic bags spill on the boat). The Port Clyde General Store is a small convenience option; Rockland is about 18 miles (3–3½ hours round trip). Please don't bring Styrofoam coolers.

Question 24

Can we get fresh lobster on the island?

Accepted Answer

Yes — the caretaker can arrange for a passing lobsterman to stop at the dock. Live lobsters can be kept in the island's lobster cars in the water until you're ready to cook.

Question 25

Can we hire a personal chef?

Accepted Answer

There's no chef on staff, but prior guests have used and referred Nija Lightfoot (404-903-8942), Sophia Palange (207-370-1511, sophiapalange.com), and Nancy Wood (207-542-9676). You arrange the chef directly.

Question 26

How much refrigeration is there?

Accepted Answer

Three refrigerators — a 25-cu-ft fridge/freezer in the Cookhouse, an 18-cu-ft fridge in the Little Boat House, and an 18-cu-ft fridge in the Main House — plus a Cold Room off the Cookhouse dining room for produce that doesn't need full refrigeration.

Question 27

How is the island powered?

Accepted Answer

Solar-charged batteries backed by a diesel generator. It's adequate for normal use — but please don't bring hair dryers, which have tripped the whole system in the past. Turn lights and appliances (except refrigerators) off when you leave a room.

Question 28

Is there Wi-Fi?

Accepted Answer

Yes — satellite Wi-Fi covers the buildings. It's fine for email and the occasional video call, but capped at 75 GB per month, so streaming video is discouraged.

Question 29

Is there cell service?

Accepted Answer

The Main House has a commercial cell-signal booster covering the living room, Sun Room, and front hall. Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile typically get enough signal for video calls, VPN, and personal hotspots at up to ~40 Mbps.

Question 30

Is there laundry?

Accepted Answer

Yes — a high-efficiency washer (use less detergent than normal to protect the septic system) and a gas dryer at the back of the Main House, plus clotheslines outside. The caretaker shares the laundry, so please don't leave clothes sitting in the machines.

Question 31

Anything to know about the plumbing?

Accepted Answer

The island is on a septic system. Please throw non-toilet-paper items — tampons, Q-tips, dental floss, etc. — in the bathroom wastebaskets rather than flushing them.

Question 32

What about towels?

Accepted Answer

Bright blue and green beach towels are provided for outdoor use; more luxurious towels are for indoor use after a fresh-water shower.

Question 33

Is there bedding and crib equipment?

Accepted Answer

Sheets, blankets, and extra pillows are provided for every bed. Extra bedding lives in the Main House second-floor landing closets. Two Graco Pak-N-Play portable cribs are available.

Question 34

Where does the water come from?

Accepted Answer

Fresh water is drawn from a well and run through filtration and conditioning before being pumped to each building. The supply isn't unlimited, so please be mindful with baths and showers.

Question 35

What's there to do on the island?

Accepted Answer

Kayaking, paddleboarding, hiking, swimming, sauna, outdoor shower, croquet, volleyball, badminton, board games, mussel and berry foraging, lobster from passing lobstermen, wildlife viewing, the porch, the piano, hammocks, and some of the darkest night skies on the Maine coast.

Question 36

Can we fish?

Accepted Answer

There are no rods or reels on the island, and the only fish typically caught from shore are mackerel. The Port Clyde General Store sells hand lines and limited tackle. For serious fishing, hire a charter: Fish On Guide Service (207-701-9955), Super Fly Charters (207-691-0745), or Holy Mackerel Fishing Charters (207-563-8834).

Question 37

Is there a shooting range?

Accepted Answer

Yes — a small skeet and target range. Firearms and ammo must be locked up or with the caretaker when not in use, every shooter signs a liability release, shooting only happens in the designated area with the caretaker present, and only pistols, shotguns, and .22 rifles are allowed. A private individual leaves a 12-gauge and 20-gauge shotgun plus clay pigeons and a trap on the island that guests may use; donations to him are welcome.

Question 38

Who is the caretaker and what does he do?

Accepted Answer

Joe Bonney is the McGee Island caretaker (207-701-8081). He meets you in Port Clyde, transports luggage and groceries, shows you the buildings and how things work, and is your main source of help during the week. His top priorities are safety and keeping the island running — he is not an employee of your group.

Question 39

What should we pack?

Accepted Answer

Maine coastal weather is unpredictable. Bring rain gear, warm layers, waterproof shoes or boots, swimsuits, and lighter clothing. Denim and long sleeves help with brambles and bugs. Nights can drop near freezing in May, early June, late September, and October.

Question 40

Should I bring sunscreen and bug spray?

Accepted Answer

Yes — pack sunscreen and insect repellent. Mosquitoes can be a pest with the wrong wind, and there are wasps on the island. Bring an EpiPen if anyone is allergic to insect stings or bites.

Question 41

When do bedrooms need to be vacated on departure day?

Accepted Answer

By 8:30 a.m. on the day of departure — the cleaning team needs time to turn the island over before the next guests.

Question 42

What time do we leave the island?

Accepted Answer

The rental agreement asks guests to depart by 10:00 a.m. Some flexibility is possible based on requests and weather.

Question 43

Is tipping expected?

Accepted Answer

Tipping is at your discretion. As a guideline, 5–10% of the rental rate for the caretaker and $10–$20 per bedroom for the cleaners is appreciated.

Question 44

Who do I contact before arrival?

Accepted Answer

For pre-arrival questions, contact Michael Erickson at 415-246-8508 (Mountain Time, based in New Mexico) or Rentals@McGeeIsland.com. For day-of and on-island matters, contact Joe Bonney at 207-701-8081 or JosephBonney@McGeeIsland.com.

Question 45

How is pricing calculated?

Accepted Answer

Each week has a base rate covering the first 12 guests, plus an additional per-guest rate above that. A cleaning fee, Maine lodging tax, and refundable security deposit are added separately. A dog fee — if applicable — is confirmed by inquiry.

Question 46

Do you take payment through the website?

Accepted Answer

No — final pricing, deposits, and payment are handled directly after we confirm fit and details. The website is for planning your estimate and sending an inquiry.

Question 47

How do I know a week is actually available?

Accepted Answer

Send an inquiry with your preferred week. Availability is confirmed by the owner; the planner shows a working estimate, not a live booking system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Planning Your Stay

Arrival, Boat & Parking

The Houses & Sleeping

Kitchen, Food & Dining

Tech, Power & Utilities

Activities & Recreation

During Your Stay

Rates & Payment

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