Ocean House, on Seashore Ave, is a privately owned, 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom vacation rental house the Backshore of Peaks Island, Maine — the largest and most accessible of the Casco Bay islands. The house sits directly across from Whaleback Rock, a beloved natural landmark, with panoramic views of the open Atlantic stretching across Casco Bay. Peaks Island is part of the city of Portland, Maine, reached via the Casco Bay Lines ferry from the Portland waterfront — a scenic 15-minute crossing.

Ocean House sleeps up to 8 overnight guests — the maximum allowed due to septic system limitations
and insurance requirements. Sleeping arrangements include:
• Bedroom 1: 1 queen bed + 1 twin bed
• Bedroom 2: 2 twin beds
• Bedroom 3 (Primary, upstairs): 1 queen bed
• Great Room (upstairs): Queen sleeper sofa
• Bonus: Cordaroy’s bean bag that converts to a soft full mattress

Please note that Ocean House is in a quiet, secluded area of the island and is not appropriate for large
or loud parties or events. Small dinner parties and barbecue-style gatherings are welcome.

Ocean House is exceptionally well-stocked so you can arrive and truly relax. Highlights include:
• WiFi — available throughout the house
• Fully equipped kitchen — including a lobster pot and utensils, coffee maker, grinder, pour-over
Chemex, blender, and staple pantry items and seasonings you’re welcome to use
• 2 full bathrooms — one with bathtub, one with shower-only; hair dryer in both
• 2 living rooms — Roku Smart TVs with streaming apps, DVD player, family favorite DVDs,
Bluetooth speakers, and plenty of books and board games for all ages
• Kids’ Nook — dedicated play space with toys, books, puzzles, games, and art supplies
• Washer/dryer, iron, ironing board, and laundry supplies
• 2 open sun decks + a covered Pocket Porch
• Charcoal grill (with utensils and ash bucket), fire pit, yard games, beach toys, and picnic cooler
• Linens, bath towels, and beach towels — provided and professionally laundered between every stay
• Ocean House Swag Bag waiting for you in the kitchen on arrival
• Tandem parking for 3–4 cars on the private driveway
• Emergency supplies — first aid kits, fire extinguishers, fire ladder, emergency radio, flashlights,
and a solar charging bank.

Maine is known for excellent tap water — no need to bring bottled water. Basic supplies (ample bath
tissue, hand soap, hand sanitizer, bar soap, dish soap, paper towels, cleaning supplies) are provided.
Please bring your own personal toiletries, or pick them up at the Island Grocery store.

Yes to both. Ocean House is dog-friendly and kid-friendly. The dedicated Kids’ Nook is stocked with games, toys, books, and art supplies. The yard, fire pit, Whaleback Rock across the street, and the Backshore’s tidal pools give children endless room to explore and play. Dog owners: please vacuum before checkout if your pup is a heavy shedder — excessive dog shedding may result in an additional cleaning fee. Please confirm any pet arrangements when booking.

The outdoor spaces at Ocean House are one of its defining features. Two open sun decks are perfect for watching incredible sunrises over the Atlantic or dining al fresco with the fresh sea air, and the shaded ‘pocket’ porch is a cozy covered nook for morning coffee or reading on a drizzly Maine afternoon. Star-gazing at night, with the sound of the waves crashing is an incredible experience,
especially if you come from a more light-polluted urban area.

The front yard has a charcoal grill (with utensils and ash bucket for safe disposal), a fire pit with marshmallow roasting sticks — firewood is available at the Island Grocery store — plus yard games and outdoor seating. The backyard offers quiet, peaceful, meditative spots amidst beautiful birch trees and birdsong. Whaleback Rock is directly across the street, and the easy access of Seashore Ave along the Backshore offers pleasant walks, running, biking, or golf carting, right along the water.

Casco Bay Lines operates the ferry from the Portland waterfront at 56 Commercial Street, Portland, ME 04101. The crossing takes approximately 15 minutes and runs nearly hourly throughout the day — as early as 5:45 am and as late as 10:30 pm (schedule varies by season and day and car ferries are not always an option depending on the time; always double check!). Tickets are round trip — you do not need to purchase a separate ticket for your return to Portland. Tickets are bought at the terminal; pre-booking is not currently available. Boarding is first-come, first- served. Casco Bay Lines serves several islands, so when reading the schedule, look for the “Depart Portland” column heading to Peaks and the “Depart Peaks” column on the way back.

Pro tip: Check the full, up-to-date schedule at www.cascobaylines.com before you travel — times vary by day and season.

Yes — but with some important things to know. Not all ferry runs accommodate cars. Look for the CF designation on the Casco Bay Lines schedule to identify car ferry departures. Each run holds roughly 12 vehicles and fills quickly on summer weekends. If driving, plan to arrive at the Portland terminal at least one hour before your intended departure — and you may still need to wait for the next run, especially in the summer. If you end up waiting, you’re in

excellent company: great spots right near the terminal include Flatbread Pizza, RiRa Irish Pub, Standard Baking Co., and Coffee By Design. Ocean House has a long private driveway that accommodates 3–4 cars in tandem. Overnight street parking on the island is not permitted.

Pro tip: First time driving onto a ferry? Don’t worry — the crew will guide you through the process.

Since we are on the Backshore of the island, on the other side of the island from the ferry and the shops and restaurants “Downfront,” a car is usually preferred, especially if you are packing a lot of bags for a longer stay. Some guests don’t bring a car at all though, and prefer to rent a golf cart or bike for the week — and say it’s one of the highlights of the trip. If you arrive on foot, your options are:

• Island Taxi — call 207-518-0000 to arrange a pickup at the boat; let us know your plan and we
can share additional details
• Golf cart rental — Mike’s Carts and Peaks Island Golf Carts both offer rentals; calling ahead for
reservations is strongly recommended, especially in summer. Week-long rentals usually need to
be booked in early spring for summer weeks.
• Biking — bring your own on the ferry or rent one on the island
• Walking — about a 25-minute walk from the ferry dock to Ocean House
Pro tip: Google Maps will route you through the middle of the island. We recommend adding the 5th Maine Regiment as a waypoint to take the scenic coastal road instead — you’ll thank us when you arrive.

From the Peaks Island ferry dock, Ocean House is about a 25-minute walk or a 5-minute drive or golf cart ride via the scenic Backshore route. It’s situated on the more secluded “Back shore” side of the island, giving it privacy and stunning views while remaining an easy trip to the island’s shops, restaurants, and ferry landing. From Portland, the total journey is roughly 15 minutes on the water plus the short hop across the island. Portland’s walkable Old Port boutiques, nationally celebrated restaurants, art galleries, and the Eastern Promenade are always just a ferry ride away.

Peaks Island offers far more than its small size suggests:
• Golf cart tours — rent from Mike’s Carts or Peaks Island Golf Carts and loop the island’s 5-mile
perimeter; or do a guided tour from Peaks Island Tours, a quintessential Peaks experience that
guests of all ages love
• Biking — the full island loop is manageable and beautiful for all ages; rent from Brad’s Bikes
• Ocean swimming — the water is refreshingly chilly with both rocky shores and sandy beaches;
we provide a swimming and dipping map to help you find the right spot
• Fishing — Ocean House is in a prime spot with a fishing rock across the street; Striped Bass are
a local favorite
• Kayaking and sailing — rentals and tours available seasonally
• Hiking and trails — Peaks has numerous woodland interior trails in addition to the Backshore
shoreline path made available by the Peaks Island Land Preserve; the island is about 5 miles
around
• Bird watching — many migratory species make Peaks a stop on their route; exceptional in
spring and fall
• Whaleback Rock — the dramatic rock formation right across the street from Ocean House
• Heart-shaped rock and seaglass hunting — a beloved Peaks Island tradition along the
Backshore beaches; please leave the rocks to protect the ecosystem!
• Island dining — local eateries, lobster bakes, ice cream, and cafés; Portland is a nationally
celebrated food destination just a short ferry away
• Museums, galleries, and historical sites — rich cultural offerings on both Peaks and in
Portland, including a number of World War II bunkers and lookouts on the island, such as Battery
Steele and “Little Mama” (next door to Ocean House), as well as the 5 th Maine Regiment
museum, and the Crow’s Nest and Gem galleries.
• Theater — professional and community theater are a local treasure in Portland and surrounding
towns, or visit the Greenwood Gardens playhouse where luminaries like John Ford and Bette
Davis got their start.
• Massage and wellness — massage options on-island; several spas near the Portland ferry
terminal; pop-up yoga series are available throughout the summer
• Freeport or Cape Elizabeth day trip — the LL Bean flagship and outlet shopping are in
Freeport, about 20 minutes north of Portland, and the iconic Portland Head Light lighthouse and
State park are just south of Portland.
Or simply sit on the Ocean House deck, let the ocean air and the sound of the waves do their work, and watch a Maine sunrise paint the whole sky.

It’s one of the best family destinations in all of Maine. The island is safe and walkable with a wonderfully old-fashioned community feel. The ferry is a genuine thrill for kids, the tidal pools and rocky Backshore beaches are a natural playground, as are sandy beaches for swimming, golf cart rides are universally adored, and the interior trails give older kids room to roam. And of course, Portland, with its shops, museums (including an excellent Children’s Museum), and parks are just a quick ferry ride away. Inside Ocean House, the dedicated Kids’ Nook with games, toys, books, and art supplies keeps younger guests busy through any rainy afternoon. Multiple families have described it as one of their all- time best family vacations.

Each season brings its own kind of magic:
• Summer (July–August): Peak season — warmest water, long golden days, full ferry schedules,
all island restaurants and activities open. A 7-night minimum applies for summer weeks. Book
early; Ocean House fills fast.
• Fall (September–October): A local favorite. Crowds thin, ocean air turns crisp, and the island
takes on a quieter, golden beauty. Exceptional for long walks, photography, and stargazing.
• Spring (May-June): The island wakes up — blooming greenery, the first warm weekends, and
the ferry nearly to yourselves. Migratory bird watching is at its peak.
• Winter: Ocean House is fully winterized. Storm-watching from the deck, cozy warmth in the
evening, hiking the island trails in the crisp snow, and the Backshore stripped down to its raw,
magnificent self make for a truly restorative off-season retreat.

Summer weeks — especially July and August — book earliest. If you have specific dates in mind,
reaching out early is always the best move.