Biking along Long Island, Maine

6 minutes ago
4 min read

Discover the scenic side of Long Island, Maine, on two wheels.

Long Island, Maine, is the kind of place you visit when you want to slow down and enjoy the scenery. Located in Casco Bay, this small island is roughly three miles long and about a mile wide, making it the perfect size to explore by bike.

With virtually no traffic, biking seems to be one of the best ways to get around. You'll see people cruising the island on bicycles and golf carts, taking their time as they travel between beaches, cottages, and the island's small collection of local spots.

There isn't a long list of tourist attractions or a packed itinerary here, and that's part of the charm. Instead, Long Island is about quiet roads, coastal views, beautiful beaches, and enjoying a slower pace of Maine island life.

Why Bike Long Island?

🚲 Virtually no traffic:

The quiet roads make Long Island an especially relaxing place to explore by bike.

🌊 Beautiful coastal scenery:

The island is surrounded by Casco Bay, with scenic views and beaches that are worth stopping to enjoy.

🏝️ Small and easy to explore:

At only about three miles long and one mile wide, you can see quite a bit of the island without committing to a huge ride.

🌿 A slower side of Maine:

Long Island doesn't have a ton of tourist attractions, but that's exactly what makes it appealing. It's a place to wander, take in the scenery, and enjoy island life.

Which Island to Pick?

If this is your first time visiting the Casco Bay islands, Peaks Island is probably the better choice if you’re looking for more things to do. It’s more set up for visitors, with more restaurants, shops, and attractions, plus an easy road loop that makes it great for exploring by bike.

But if you’re looking to discover a new island and want something a little more scenic, quiet, and low-key, Long Island is a great choice. It’s less touristy and has a slower pace, making it perfect for a peaceful bike ride and taking in the island scenery.

Tips for Visiting Long Island

Take the mailboat route: When planning your trip, hop on the ferry’s mail route, which stops at Great Diamond Island, Chebeague Island, Long Island, and Cliff Island. The ride to Long Island takes about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on how much time is spent loading and unloading at the other islands.

Bike distance and time: The full loop around the island is about 6 miles and took us roughly 2 hours. Of course, plan for extra time if you want to pull over, explore, enjoy the views, and stop for plenty of photos!

How much time to plan: We arrived around 11 a.m. and left on the 2:10 p.m. ferry. We found that 3 to 4 hours was a good amount of time to explore the island by bike, take in the sights, and grab a bite to eat without feeling rushed.

Check the ferry times: Ferries from Portland to the islands tend to run more frequently than the ferries heading back from Long Island. Be sure to check the return schedule before you head out so you don’t end up waiting around longer than expected.

Where to Eat: Byers & Sons Long Island Bakehouse

One of the spots I'd recommend adding to your ride is Byers & Sons Long Island Bakehouse, a local restaurant that's a great place to stop for a bite during your island adventure. It makes for a nice break from biking and gives you a chance to experience one of the island's local businesses.

They offer a little bit of everything, including hot and cold sandwiches, pizza, salads, and plenty of tempting bakery treats. I ordered the chicken salad sandwich, made with diced chicken, grapes, cranberries, pecans, green onion, mayo, salt and pepper, lettuce, tomato, and red onion. It was delicious!

And of course, I couldn’t leave without trying one of their cornflake cookies. It caught my eye in the bakery case, and it was just too enticing to pass up!

Getting There: After getting off the ferry, turn right and follow the road for about 0.3 miles, or roughly a 6-minute walk.

Long Island's Beaches

Long Island has a few beautiful beaches that are worth adding to your bike ride, whether you want to relax by the water or do a little beachcombing.

Fowler Beach: A lovely sandy beach with calm, serene waters. It’s a great spot to take a break from biking, relax by the water, and enjoy the peaceful island scenery.

South Beach: If you enjoy beachcombing, make a stop at South Beach to search for sea glass! We found quite a collection during our visit, including brown, white, and green pieces. You never know what you might find washed up along the shore.

If you’re looking for a fun way to spend a day on the Casco Bay islands, add Long Island to your list! With its quiet roads, scenic coastal views, and laid-back island feel, it’s the perfect place to explore by bike. The island may be small, but there’s plenty to see along the way, making for an easy and scenic ride that feels like a true Maine getaway.