Hurricane

West of Vinalhaven lies fabled Hurricane Island. Once the site of the Hurricane Island Granite Company, where hundreds of stonecutters and their families engaged in the granite trade, Hurricane re-emerged in the 1960s as the hub of the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School. Since 2009, the island has been the seasonal home of Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership which runs marine ecology field study programs for Middle and High School students, hosts educators, and maintains a 3.2 acre Experimental Research Lease aquaculture site where Penobscot Bay's wild and farmed scallop populations are studied. The state-of-the-art Hurricane Island Field Research Station is the newest addition to the campus. Built in 2023, it serves as a hub to connect local students, teachers, scientists, community leaders and fishermen in shared efforts to better understand the marine environment. It is the closest building to the MITA campsite.

The best approach to Hurricane is from the northeast. On the north end there is a ledge encircling the aquaculture research site. From the south and southeast there is an unmarked ledge running north to south between the mooring field and Hurricane Sound.

Visiting boats may drop passengers at the floating dock and then take a mooring and row in. Time at the floating dock is restricted due to the amount of island traffic, especially during the summer peak. There are 6 guest moorings on the east side of the island which are available for a recommended donation (overnight $25, day use $15). There is space on the main pier to tie up a dinghy. Dinghies should be tied on the west side of the float.

Visitors will be greeted at the dock by friendly staff who can direct you to the trails and answer questions about the educational programs, aquaculture research, and sustainability systems that power the island campus. The trails pass by fascinating remnants of the industrial quarrying era and through pristine spruce and moss covered woodlands to a high cliff lookout over the southeastern bay. Trail maps are available at the dockhouse where you will be asked to sign in.