Summer in Maine has arrived and the state’s beaches and lakes will soon be packed with locals and tourists alike looking to make the most of the short season.
But if you’d prefer a private, peaceful haven surrounded by coastline, here are three homes on private islands throughout the state priced under $2 million on the market today.
A year-round log cabin with an indoor pool
$1.7 million, Freedom
This three-bedroom, three bathroom home sits on a 12-acre wooded island in the middle of Sandy Pond in Freedom, but it’s not entirely isolated.
The island is connected to the mainland by a gated causeway, making the property convenient and accessible by vehicle but still private, said Annie Kassler of Camden Real Estate Company, the listing agent for the property. There’s also a four-car garage on the land.
With 2,389 square feet of living space, the log cabin-style house is heated and insulated, making it suitable for year-round living. There’s also a heated inground pool, jacuzzi and large open space for entertaining or building a home gym in one wing of the home.
The property has roughly 3,750 feet of shoreline with “gentle access” to the water, Kassler said, making it an ideal spot for children and pets who enjoy swimming.
“The house is unique and has that quintessential Maine camp feeling,” Kassler said. “It’s a sanctuary for people and nature.”
The home was first listed on the market last year with an asking price of more than $2 million, Kassler said. After the property didn’t sell, the homeowners made some minor improvements and brought the price down to $1.69 million.
A solar-powered cabin with a boat included
$1.9 million, Harpswell
This three-bedroom, two-bathroom cabin, priced at $1.95 million, is located on a 4-acre island called Ben’s Island, just a few thousand feet off the coast of Harpswell.
The property has 1,458 square feet of living space and several small beaches dotted around the island’s 2,000-foot perimeter, according to Tim Dunham, owner of Tim Dunham Realty, which is listing the property.
The island is currently owned by “a minor celebrity,” but Dunham declined to say who.
The property comes with four deep-water moorings, its own boat — a 23-foot Maritime Challenger — and an all-terrain vehicle that seats six. The house’s more unique features include an outdoor shower, a tree house and a screened-in porch.
“If you’re an introvert and want your privacy, it’s there,” Dunham said. “But, it’s only a few thousand feet away from the shore of Harpswell and 15 minutes away from Cook’s Corner.”
While there’s some heating and insulation in the house, the property isn’t intended for year-round use, Dunham said. The home also has its own septic system, a well with water filtration and is powered by the solar panels on the roof, but has a back-up generator.
The property is perfect for nature and animal lovers, Dunham said, as seals frequent the surrounding cove, and three osprey nests are stationed on the island.
“There’s nothing quite like it,” Dunham said.
A writer’s island retreat with a guest house
$1.3 million, Saint George
This four-bedroom, two-bathroom home has been a seasonal island getaway for American author Paul Theroux for more than two decades, according to a 2024 Boston.com article about the property.
The property, which has slightly more than 1,700 square feet of living space, is perched on Calf Island in Wheeler Bay, just off the coast of Saint George. The 7-acre private island has 3,124 feet of shoreline that varies from sand beaches to ledge, and a dock with a ramp and float system.
The island sits in a protected area, making it easy to explore the area or reach the mainland in a kayak or small boat, said Joseph Sortwell of LandVest, the listing agent for the property.
Unlike many islands, the $1.28 million home has electricity and water from the mainland, Sortwell said. However, there’s no septic system, so the two bathrooms have composting toilets.
Built in the 1970s, the main house’s living room has large windows to take in the view, and a wood-burning cookstove. There’s also a guest cottage with two bedrooms, a bathroom and a living room with a loft on the island.
“It’s a really special area,” Dunham said.
