Land Bridge to Bar Island
Land Bridge to Bar Island
4.5
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- REGINA S2 contributionsMust SeeAmazing! Saw several small sea animals in the tidal pools. Took many pictures and even went back after tide covered the sand bridge to take more photos. One of many awe-inspiring sites in the Acadia/Bar Harbor area. It is a must see!Visited September 2023Travelled with familyWritten 28 September 2023
- The_Wanderer1992Columbia, Maryland2,542 contributionsBar Island WalkWhile dining in Bar Harbor, I saw we were near low tide and decided to find information about walking to Bar Island, which I heard about previously. We found out we had plenty of time to walk across during low tide to Bar Island. It was a fun experience. It takes about 20 minutes to walk there and back. There are signs warning you prior to walking to Bar Island that you if get stuck on the island, then high tide is 9 hours later. After high tide, the only options to get back from the island are a water taxi or Acadia Dispatch.Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 2 May 2024
- Vacation8249743 contributionsNice experienceVery cool to walk across to the island during low tide. Be sure to check times for low/high tide. Fun to look for shells/see the seaweed etc. interesting to see it again when tide was high. Difficult to find parking. Have to park along street and pay then walk to area.Visited July 2024Travelled with familyWritten 4 July 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
1,395 reviews
Excellent
928
Very good
382
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Poor
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1
Chuck2010
Palmyra, PA2,563 contributions
Oct 2021
The land bridge is only accessible during the low tide window ... very nice walk across to Bar Island, a national park area. You can explore the island if you time it correctly.
If stranded, it will cost about $150 a person to be rescued by boat
If stranded, it will cost about $150 a person to be rescued by boat
Written 20 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MelissaL0715
Tampa, FL912 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
When decided to try the land bridge too Bar Island yesterday. We were not disappointed as when you walk out it is just amazing to see this land area completely exposed when the tide is low. We walked to the other side which takes less than 10 minutes and took a few photos. My husband looked over at the tide schedule located on bar island and realized that within an hour the tide would be so high we would not be able to return back for 8-9 hours. We looked back and it was already starting to fill in the land bridge. We were on the island less than 5 minutes so this was quite shocking to us. We had to take off our shoes and walk through water in a few areas. By the time we got back to the other side, the tide was coming in so much that the land bridge was almost completely gone. Take note that our entire time there was only 20 minutes so that I can come in quite quickly. Definitely worth it but I would recommend going prior to 10 AM
Written 29 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tania
24 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
We enjoyed this area. You must watch the tides or you’ll end up stuck on the island but it’s very busy so you can go with the flow of what others are doing. I’d recommend taking the trail to the right if you want to do a hike to see some abandoned buildings on the trail. We went left and walked the whole island but it was tricky and not an easy trail IF you go left. “GO RIGHT” unless you like rock climbing. 😊
Written 17 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leslie W
20 contributions
Jun 2021
We happened to be speaking with a couple on the street in Bar Harbor and they told us about this amazing phenomenon that allows people to walk "on the water" a few hours every day. What an AHA moment it was to see the water on two sides and this vast sandbar full of people strolling along. We have been to Bay of Fundy which is quite exciting but this is a very different type of low tide/high tide experience. This has been one surprise highlight of our two week trip through New England
Written 19 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JP
15 contributions
Jun 2021
I think the hi-light on this is the before and after effect of the tide. Otherwise, you can get this experience of wading in tide pools all over Maine. Be prepared to encounter lots and lots and lots of other people if it's low tide, as they are all coming to do the same thing as you. Lots of kayakers were out the particular day we visited, and when we returned to head to the island and stroll we saw paddle boarders as well. Worth a visit just to take it in.
Written 15 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nat K
New Orleans, LA33 contributions
Jul 2020 • Solo
This is simply an incredible must do easy experience to do at low tide. The tidal difference in Bar Harbor is like 12 ft. At low tide you can actually WALK across the Harbor on the sandbar to Bar Harbor island which is part of Acadia National Park where there is a short trail to the top with beautiful views back across tbe Harbor to Bar Harbor and the sand bar you just crossed. Make sure you do this within 1.5 hrs of low tide so you don’t get stuck on the island and require a $50 water taxi to get back across after the tide comes in.
Written 10 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary M
Lyndonville, VT86 contributions
Jul 2020
It is interesting to check out, walk across and even see the island it connects to. You will see many people launch their kayaks from this location or just bring a chair and put your feet in the water. Its one of those things that you just need to see when you are in town
Written 3 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
j1959c
Nashua, NH96 contributions
Aug 2020
While pretty crowded, this is worth doing. Most people are hanging out in or on the sandbar itself or in the water nearby. Fewer people take the hike on the island, which is pretty short and easy and ends at a great view of the harbor framed by the mountains. There are also some ruins. Worth exploring if the low tide timing works with your visit.
Written 20 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thecloser
Boston, Ma54 contributions
Oct 2020
We managed to get here at the right time. Low tide does give you a couple of hours. Do pay attention to particular tides for your time. To get stuck on Island at wrong tide could be unpleasant, depending on weather. Sunset was specutalar,
Written 12 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JenniferandAlan
Easton, PA894 contributions
May 2021
Every time we visit Acadia we do this walk. First we walk along West Street and take in the "cottages" then we do the walk across the sand bar to Bar Island. What an experience to walk on the bottom of the ocean! Get a tide schedule from the Visitor Center or online. You have 1 1/2 hours on either side of low tide giving you a total of about three hours to safely take your walk and explore the uncovered sea floor. Keep an eye on the time--you don't want to be stranded on Bar Island. Do not pass up this rare experience.
Written 23 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Where is the best place to park for the walk?
Written 12 August 2020
If you can walk from your hotel that is ideal as the Waterfront has changed a lot and parking may or can be hard to manage at busy times. That said, there is a municipal lot that is at the end of the road that will allow you to walk down the main road to sand bar and cross to the island. If you go on the Bar Harbor website, it's lots 6, 8, 10. There's also meters on that road that are a bit closer.
Written 26 August 2020
You need to check the tide table (google or local paper). Best time would be the hour or two right around low tide. If you are not familiar with ocean tides, they change daily, so don't count on it being the same time for your whole stay. I have had to wade across thinking I had plenty of time to hike up to the other side of the island and back only to find the water had already partially covered half the bar.
Written 14 July 2019
Hello, myself and 2 adults will be visiting Sept 7th and 8th. We are interested in this tour and were needing more info like rates, how far in advance to book and cancellation policy. We plan on driving through Acadia and perhaps a tour or two at various places. Thank you for your help.
Written 17 February 2019
The land bridge to Bar Island is a self guided tour, AKA FREE. Just gotta be aware of the tide charts so you can go out as the tide goes out and discover starfish crabs and the like as well as walk across to Bar island.
Written 18 February 2019
The tide chart for the dates we will be in Bar Harbor say low tide will be about 9:30 am. The moon is about half way between full and new. How many hours prior to low tide does the bar usually become walkable? How many hours prior to high tide should be plan to be finished our walk back to town? (I'm basically trying to figure out how long the land bridge is usually walkable about the low tide.) Thanks!
Written 21 April 2018
I don’t remember for sure, but I would say that you have at least 1 - 1 1/2 hours before and after low tide mark.
Written 28 April 2018
When would low tide times be the week of Thanksgiving? How do you find out?
Written 25 October 2016
I tried to copy and paste a tide chart for you but it won't fit in this small space. You can google it though (or use another search engine). Just type in "Tide chart for Bar Harbor November 2016) and it will show you the low tide times for every day.
Good luck and have fun!
Written 26 October 2016
How do I dress for mid October? Are all attractions still open? HOping for great Fall colors!
Written 19 September 2016
I am going next week - how would I find out the times for low tide are? And does anyone know typically how long you have before the tide rises again?
Written 9 October 2018
What is weather like in mid October? How would I dress? Would water shoes be good or just sneakers?
Written 19 September 2016
In my opinion, Your shoe choice will depend on what time you decide to cross over to Bar Island. You can Google the tide charts for Downeast Maine /Bar Harbor for the Month of October to see what time low tide is for the days you plan to be there.
Sneakers should be fine if you cross to Bar Island about a 45 min before low tide and return to Bar Harbor about 45 after low tide.
Written 20 September 2016
You have to park on the street and walk. You can drive your car better if you have a truck on the land bridge but know the tide times or you will get stuck
Written 17 September 2016
It keeps saying to check the tide times on all of these remarks. But no one ever says how you check the tides. Is there a place you can go to find out about the tides? I live in a landlocked desert so I don't know much about ocean and tides.
Written 2 September 2016
Your hotel or rental may have it or you can search tide times on the internet for the city you are in. Our rental had a little booklet that had sunrise/sunset/high and low tide as a promotional item when we visited the beach down south.
Written 6 September 2016
How do I get there from a docked cruise ship?
Written 27 September 2015
Once you are off the cruise ship in Bar Harbor walk up the hill from the docking point along West Street past the Bar Harbor Club and make a right down Bridge Street to the bar that leads to Bar Island. An easy ten minute walk.
Written 14 July 2016
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