Star Island Mail Boat now welcoming passengers to Isles of Shoals – Seacoastonline.com

Special to Seacoastonline| Portsmouth Herald

KITTERY, Maine Seacoast Maritime Charters, in conjunction with Star Island Corporation,announces a new offering for area residents and guests.

For the 2022 season, guests are now welcome to ride the mail boat to Star Island at the Isles of Shoals. Subject to availability and by prior reservation only, members of the public may ride the M/V Utopia and the M/V Shining Star on scheduled daily runs to supply the Oceanic Hotel on the historic island, considered by many to be the unofficial capital of the Isles of Shoals.

Star Island supports a population of up to 400people in the summer. Little-changed since its heyday in earlier centuries,Star Island is known for its sustainability program and for having the largest off-grid solar power array in New England. These leisurely informal trips provide an insiders view into the comings and goings of island life, and are a fascinating and unique way to experience the Isles of Shoals.

On a typical trip, guests will ride out with mail, food, freight and whatever else is headed out to the island that day- along with commuting island staff, hotel guests and volunteers. Some trips include a stop at the local lobster wharf to pick up the evenings meal.

In summer, coastal weather is generally calmest on the morning trips. On the way, out we typically see seals, porpoises and the occasional whalein addition to gannets, loons and a variety of other birds, including bald eagles. We will most often pass close to working fishermen and commercial traffic navigating the Piscataqua River. The run to the Isles of Shoals takes about an hour. Guests are welcome to engage in conversation with the crew, help navigate the boat or simply enjoy the ocean breezes and the sunshine sparkling on the water.

Once at the island, visitors have the opportunity for a 45 minute walk ashore (morning trips only), a self-guided tour of beautiful Star Island (dont miss a peak into the historic stone chapel) while the vessel is unloaded and readied for the return trip.

On the return trip back to America (as the original Isles of Shoalers would say) the passenger list could include island staff and guests as well as mail, luggage, recycling, empty fuel tanks and the occasional surprise. We have hauled everything from pianos to palm trees and many things in between.

Our regular morning trips run from late June to September, leaving Portsmouth at 7:30 a.m., and returning before 11 a.m., on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Every Tuesday afternoon in summer there is an expanded trip which includes a guided stopover at Appledore Island (or an afternoon at Star Island) and a tour of the grey seal colony on neighboring Duck Island. This trip departs Portsmouth at 1:20 p.m., returning to the dock at around 6 p.m.

Other Mail Run trips are available throughout the season from April to October andthere is often room for guests. These trips sometimes have a quick turnaround, and do not always allow for island walks. Guests are welcome on all of these runs, space permitting. Call for off-season availability.

Call Seacoast Maritime Charters to learn about available trips and to reserve a space at 207-337-0446. Last minute reservations are encouraged, as long as there is room on the boat.

The service helps to support the non-profit Star Island Corporation, which maintains the island and offers it to the public for visits like these.

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Star Island Mail Boat now welcoming passengers to Isles of Shoals - Seacoastonline.com