Manset, Southwest Harbor, Maine

Manset, part of Southwest Harbor, Maine, is on the southwestern side of Mount Desert Island near the southern entrance to Somes Sound, the only Fjord on the east coast of the United States. It provides spectacular views of several mountains including Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park. This is a great base location for sailing north into Somes Sound and exploring the Cranberry Islands to the southeast. Manset is home to the famous yacht builder, Hinckley Company and there are other private companies renting sailboats and motorboats. Ferry service to the out islands is available in Southwest Harbor. (view photos)

Bear Island and the Bear Island Lighthouse, also seen from this location, is actually located in Northeast Harbor, Maine. The original light station was extablished in 1839. The current 31 foot high lighthouse (100 foot high focal plane) was constructed of brick in 1889. Service was discontinued in 1982 but it was relighted in 1989 as an automatic and private aid to navigation. The lighthouse is closed to the public and is best viewed by boat.