Perkins Cove

Photo by Rich Martello - Ogunquit, ME, USA Unsplash

Tucked into the southern edge of Ogunquit, Perkins Cove is one of the most charming spots on the Maine coast. A working fishing harbor ringed with boutique shops, art galleries, seafood shacks, and boat tour docks, it has been drawing visitors since 1900 and remains one of the most photographed destinations in all of Maine.

Address

Perkins Cove Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907, USA

From the Anchorage Inn

By Car: 14 Minutes

GET DIRECTION

The Cove sits at the southern end of the Marginal Way, the beloved 1.25-mile coastal footpath that winds along the rocky Ogunquit shoreline from downtown to the harbor. Once you park at the Cove, many guests choose to walk the Marginal Way north along the coastline and back before the shops open, taking in the ocean views, tidal pools, and 39 scenic benches along the way. Parking at the Cove fills quickly in summer, so arriving early or taking the Ogunquit Trolley are both smart moves.

Photo by Ogunquit Beach, Ogunquit, ME, USA - The Marginal Way path Unsplash

Perkins Cove is open year-round, with summer bringing the liveliest atmosphere and the full lineup of boat tours, concerts, and fresh lobster at the dock. Fall brings a beloved Halloween festival and the annual Plein Air Painting Festival in September, which draws over 100 regional artists painting the cove live. Even in the quieter months, the harbor, the drawbridge, and the rocky shoreline make it well worth the short drive from Anchorage Inn.

Perkins Cove

17 Min

Address

Perkins Cove Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907, USA

Website

https://www.perkinscove03907.com/

Carefully Selected Journeys

Why Visit

Perkins Cove packs a remarkable amount into a small, walkable space. From watching lobstermen unload their daily catch to browsing handcrafted pottery and picking up a lobster roll from Footbridge Lobster, the Cove offers an authentic taste of coastal Maine life that feels both laid-back and full of character.

A working fishing harbor with active lobster boats, boutique shops, art galleries, and some of the best seafood in southern Maine.
Home to the southern entrance of the Marginal Way, one of New England's most scenic coastal walking trails.
The iconic hand-operated pedestrian drawbridge, a landmark that never gets old to watch, especially with kids.
Boat tours departing directly from the Cove, including lobstering trips, Nubble Lighthouse cruises, and sailing tours through Finestkind Scenic Cruises.

Photo by Stephen Walker on Unsplash -Perkins Cove

Day 1 What To Do

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Morning Drive

Head out from the Anchorage Inn for the 14-minute drive up to Perkins Cove. Arrive early to grab a parking spot before the lots fill up, or plan to use the Ogunquit Trolley if you prefer to skip the parking altogether.

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Walk the Marginal Way

Once parked, walk the Marginal Way north along the rocky coastline before the shops open. The 1.25-mile paved path offers stunning Atlantic views, tidal pools to explore, and 39 benches to stop and take it all in. Morning light here is hard to beat.

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Explore the Cove

Head back to the Cove and browse the boutiques and galleries around the harbor. Stop into the Perkins Cove Pottery Shop, pick up something from Perkins Cove Candies, and explore the art galleries that line the water.

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Boat Tour

Book a lobstering trip or a Nubble Lighthouse cruise with Finestkind Scenic Cruises, departing directly from the Cove dock. Tours run through the summer season and offer a completely different vantage point on the Maine coastline.

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Lunch

Grab a lobster roll at Footbridge Lobster and find a bench on the rocks to eat with a view of the harbor and the Atlantic beyond it.

Head Back

Catch the trolley or walk back to your car, then 14 minutes back to the Anchorage Inn with the whole afternoon still ahead.

Best Time to Visit Perkins Cove

Perkins Cove is open year-round, with each season bringing its own character. Summer is the busiest and most vibrant, with boat tours, live concerts, fresh lobster at the docks, and the Marginal Way at its most colorful. Fall brings the Plein Air Painting Festival in September and a quieter, more local atmosphere. Winter is serene and uncrowded, with the harbor scenery taking on a quieter kind of beauty.

Best Light

Early morning before the crowds arrive offers the best harbor shots and the most peaceful walk along the Marginal Way.

Weather

Summer is peak season with full boat tour schedules; spring and fall are quieter and equally scenic.

Avoiding Crowds

Midday in July and August is peak busy; mornings and late afternoons are noticeably calmer.

For Photographers

The drawbridge, working lobster boats, and rocky shoreline offer great shots at any time of day; golden hour is especially good.

Note

Parking fills fast in summer; consider the Ogunquit Trolley or arriving early to secure a spot at the Cove lot.

A Lobster Lover's Day in York

Early Morning Walk

08:00

Rise early and walk Long Beach as the lobster boats motor out of York Harbor and into the Atlantic in the morning light. These are the very same fishermen whose catch you'll be eating today. There's something deeply satisfying about watching them head to sea knowing you'll follow their journey all the way to the dock — and your plate.

Lobster Boat Tour & Perkins Cove

09.30

Head up to postcard-perfect Perkins Cove in Ogunquit for a working lobster boat tour with Finestkind. This is not a sightseeing cruise — you go out on an actual working lobster boat and watch the crew haul real traps from the ocean floor. After your tour, explore Perkins Cove itself — a working fishing harbor ringed with galleries, boutiques, and lobster shacks. Walk the famous Marginal Way, a mile-long ocean-cliff footpath with breathtaking views of the Atlantic. One of the most scenic short walks in all of New England.

Off The Boat Lobsters

13:00

York's best-kept secret and the highlight of the day. Off The Boat Lobsters is a dock-side market where you buy from the shack, sourced from the family's lobster boats — directly from the lobstermen, zero middlemen. Rated 4.8 stars, guests rave it's 'bar none the best lobster I've ever had' and 'almost sweet.' Lobsters caught that very morning. Pay a small per-pound fee and have them cooked right there on the spot.

York's Historic District & Old Gaol

15:00

Walk off your feast through York Village, one of the oldest English settlements in America. The Old Gaol (1719), the Elizabeth Perkins House, and the John Hancock Warehouse along the York River are fascinating. The Museum of Old York runs tours through summer. Grab a local ice cream from the Village Scoop and soak in 400 years of New England history.

Golden Hour at Sohier Park

17:00

Drive over to Sohier Park for the late afternoon golden hour at the Nubble Lighthouse — one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world. The warm evening light on the red-trimmed white lighthouse with the Atlantic as backdrop is breathtaking. A perfect, unhurried end to an authentically Maine day.

Sunset on Long Beach

19:30

Return to the Anchorage Inn for a final evening walk along Long Beach. In summer, the sky burns orange and pink west behind the hotel and at the far end of the beach. Pick up a bottle of local wine or a beer from our poolside cafe, sit on the sundeck, and raise a glass to the lobstermen whose work made your day so special.

FAQ

Early check-in and late check-out may be available depending on occupancy. Please call the front desk on the day of your arrival to check availability.

Only some room types include balconies. If a balcony matters for your stay, book an Atrium or Loft room, or call us directly to confirm availability.

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM. If you arrive early, you are welcome to use the pools and beach while your room is being prepared.

Check-out is at 11:00 AM. Please contact the front desk if you need a late check-out and we will do our best to accommodate.

Please contact the hotel directly for the most current pet policy before booking. Policies can vary by building, room type, and season.

Yes, we can receive packages for guests prior to arrival. Please include your name, reservation dates, and mark the package for the Anchorage Inn.