Casco Bay Lines Rate Changes and Passholder Fares

Posted by Alicia Kershaw

NOTICE OF RATE CHANGE – Effective June 21, 2025

Posted May 21, 2025

Rate Change Effective June 21, 2025

The CBITD Board of Directors approved a rate change in May 2025 that will take effect on Saturday, June 21, 2025. Here are the important details all passengers should review ahead of June 21st:

  • All vehicle tickets purchased at the current rate (on or before June 20th) will still be valid for 60 days from the date of purchase.
  • The rate change establishes new Passholder Rate vehicle tickets.
  • Annual Pass holders are automatically eligible to purchase Passholder Rate vehicle tickets beginning on June 21.
  • Driver must present a valid Annual Pass or 90-day Pass w/ Vehicle Add-On to both purchase Passholder rate vehicle tickets and board the vessel.
  • Annual Pass holders can renew their passes at any time, as needed, as the Annual Pass will automatically confer eligibility to purchase Passholder Rate vehicle tickets beginning on June 21.
  • Beginning on June 21, 90-Day Pass holders may choose to purchase a Vehicle Add-On at the time of their 90-Day Pass purchase. 90-Day Pass holders with this Vehicle Add-On are eligible to purchase Passholder Rate vehicle tickets.
New Fare TypesPeak Season RateOff-Peak Season Rate
90-Day Pass w/ Vehicle Add-On (Adult)+$194$146
90-Day Pass w/ Vehicle Add-On (Senior/Child/Disabled)+$97$73

+ New Fare types are not available for purchase until Saturday, June 21, 2025.

  • If you are a 90-Day Pass holder who needs to renew prior to June 21, and you wish to have the ability to purchase Passholder Rate vehicle tickets, you may want to consider purchasing a 30-Day Pass or single tickets as a ‘bridge,’ to delay purchasing a 90-Day Pass until June 21 when the Vehicle Add-On is available.

A summarized rate table is presented below.

Please pass along any questions or feedback to .moc.senilyabocsac@egnahcetar

May 21, 2025

Notice is hereby given that, effective June 21, 2025, Casco Bay Island Transit District is implementing major changes in non-commercial and commercial vehicle rates to Peaks Island.

New non-commercial vehicle rates are as follows:

General RatePeak SeasonOff-Peak Season
Passenger Vehicle SUN-WED$150.00$70.00
Passenger Vehicle THURS-SAT$170.00$100.00
Passholder Rate*Peak SeasonOff-Peak Season
Passenger Vehicle SUN-WED$46.00$46.00
Passenger Vehicle THURS-SAT$82.65$46.00
Handicap Vehicle$46.00$46.00

*Annual Pass holders are eligible to purchase Passholder Rate vehicle tickets. 90-Day Pass holders may purchase a Vehicle Add-On at the time of pass purchase. 90-Day Pass holders with the Vehicle Add-On may purchase Passholder Rate vehicle tickets.

*Handicap rate requires proof of handicap plate or placard

For Frequent Riders, We Offer 30-Day, 90-Day, or Annual Passes

  • When you arrive to purchase your pass, staff will take your name, e-mail address and photo so prepare for additional time to process.
  • All 30-day, 90-day, and Annual Passes include the transportation of one bike and/or domestic animal with the pass holder.
  • All 30-day, 90-day, and Annual Passes will be island specific but can be used to travel to any island.
  • All 30-day, 90-day and Annual Passes are non-refundable.
  • If you forget your 30-day, 90-day or Annual Pass at home, you will need to purchase a regular-priced ticket.
  • To purchase a Half Fare 30-day, 90-day or Annual Pass (senior and disabled), you will be required to show ID.

Ferry Passenger Fares

HOW TO RESERVE & SCHEDULE THE PEAKS ISLAND COMMUNITY CENTER

Posted by Alicia Kershaw

From: City of Portland Parks & Recreation,

Diane Ricciotti, 207- 766-2970

dianer@portlandmaine.gov

HOW TO RESERVE & SCHEDULE THE PEAKS ISLAND COMMUNITY CENTER

There are 2 easy ways you can schedule and reserve the Peaks Island Community Center. The Peaks Island Community Center is available for scheduling all types of community and group programs and events. Perhaps for a community wide music event or a rental for a child’s birthday party, a graduation party and etc.
1. Contact Diane at the Peaks Island Community Center office and request a Parks & Recreations Community Center Application Form at 207- 766-2970 or by sending an email to

dianer@portlandmaine.gov

2. You can also reserve the Peaks Island Community Center for a community event and any rental by going to the City of Portland Parks/Recreation Online Version at:

https://register.capturepoint.com/Portland

City of Portland Parks and Recreation-Community Pass Catalog

Go the Parks/Rec Online Version: -Click on to the following drop downs: -Facilities (top left of screen) -Calendar (to see monthly events, dates of availability) -Peaks Island Community Center/Peaks Island Community -Reserve Now -Create A Community Pass Account
For more information: call the Peaks Community Center at 207 766-2970

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filed under: Events

Thinking of having your Wedding on Peaks Island?

Posted by Alicia Kershaw

Thinking of having your Wedding on Peaks Island?

Peaks Island, ME is a popular site for weddings. But an Island wedding has its complications, and logistics that can add costs.

Venues

While many brides yearn for a beach wedding, beach access on Peaks is limited.  See https://peaksisland.info/peaks-island-beaches/

TEIA hosts weddings at their historic wooden “casino”  on a beach.   Most brides chose the lawn for a ceremony, with a splendid view.  TEIA has a kitchen but offers limited amenities, and all food, beverages, lighting, flowers, music  etc. must be brought in.   https://teiaclub.org/

Check out the Event space category under Organizations to find these locales.

The Lions’ Club Greenwood Gardens is popular, with a beautiful sea view lawn and a capacious indoor facility with a stage.  Amenities are limited.

The Inn on Peaks Island offers a more full service venue,  with a restaurant that can cater if you wish.

The Harbor View at Jones Landing also offers a venue and some food service, tho is usually more popular for rehearsal dinners or post wedding brunches.  Island Lobster House also has an event space on their lawn and offers lobster bakes.

Fifth and Eighth Maine are both available for rentals for events.

People do have their ceremonies on the rocky areas on the backshore. These are only suitable for small parties unless people don’t mind ending up in the water.

Housing

While there are plenty of rentals on the Island they book early (December) so you will need to plan ahead to house your guests and wedding party.

Transport

Getting to the Island.  While Casco Bay Lines is available it can be crowded in summer and people are sometimes turned away to wait for the next boat.   You can reserve the Bay Mist for your party.  At a minimum you should alert Bay Lines to the size of your group.  Also keep in mind the last ferry ….

The water taxis are also available if they fit your budget.  They do go where you need them tho – -such as TEIA.

Officiant

Check out Sue Spector, our own weddng officiant,  in business listings.

Fireworks?
A permit is needed for fireworks on Peaks Island.   Now you know.

January 2024 storms and record high tides wreck Peaks Island Shoreline

Posted by Alicia Kershaw

 

In January 2024, back-to-back storms ravaged the Peaks Island shoreline, especially the “back shore.”

As of this blog, several areas are affected.

Notably the stairs to Sandy Beach have been washed away.

Seashore Road was washed away in several areas, and covered with rocks, with the worse damage in Spar Cove

Whaleback (rock formation) broke into halves

TEIA was flooded

Waterside cottages were flooded and damaged.

Portland public services crews, helped by private citizens, worked hard to clear the roads and repair damage.

Before visiting Peaks be sure to check on post storm recovery.

 

Sandy Beach

Whaleback

 

Ferry Beach

 

Can I walk or drive around Peaks Island?

Posted by Alicia Kershaw

Peaks Island is unique in Maine in allowing access to the shoreline.  (See Beaches post however – most beaches are private).  Most of Maine’s Coastline is bordered by private property and cannot be visited or seen.

Back in WWII  Peaks was a military installation and the land on the Ocean side, the “Backshore,” was commandeered by the military.  The military built a road along the Backshore that remains, and allows residents and visitors to drive, walk or bike along the shoreline.   There are even little pull off spots where you can stop and enjoy the view.  The shore road is about 1.7 miles of the full 3.68 mile loop, starting near the 8th Maine and ending at Spar Cove.  Along the way there are a number of military relics, including Battery Steele.

So yes, you can drive around but there are other options – walking and bike rentals, or a golf cart tour.   There are at least three reasons to leave your car in Portland.   One –  the ferry is expensive; two — there can be long lines to get on the Ferry; three – it will only take a short time to drive and then what?  Parking is available in Portland at a number of price points.   See Portland Parking Options

Seeing Fall Foliage on Peaks Island

Posted by Alicia Kershaw

Despite its nickname “The Rock,” Peaks Island has an abundance of trees that present a spectacular show of colors on the Autumn.

One great way to see the foliage is from Casco Bay Lines, either on the boat to Peaks on to the Diamonds, or one of the cruises.

Once on the Island, you can circuit the island on foot or bike and see the foliage along the shoreline.   Check for gold cart rentals which may be seasonal. For a map see Click here for MAPS

We do suggest that you explore the interior of the Island along the many trials maintained by the Peaks Island Land Preserve Click here for PILF maps .  You will be surprised how far from City life you will be, amidst beautiful foliage.

Halloween on Peaks – The Sacred and the Profane

Posted by Alicia Kershaw

If you are lucky you will be on Peaks Island for the Sacred and Profane. This event takes place at Battery Steele, an old WWII installation tucked into the middle of the Island. It’s a free for all of Portland’s artists, illusionists, creatives types and people who like a scare, with volunteer installations of music and art, and costumes, meant to haunt and inspire. As Owen Sandersen writes “I liken it to Burning Man meets arthaus meets classy haunted hayride. It draws lots of Maine College of Art (MECA) students and off-islanders, who build elaborate experiences and art installations deep inside the Battery.”

Word of the event tends to travel via word of mouth, so ask around.  Some say its on the night of the October full moon.

En route to the Battery enjoy the Island’s very creative Halloween decorations.   Check the Calendar for more official Halloween events.

With thanks to Owen Sanderson

New Public Restroom on Peaks Island !

Posted by Alicia Kershaw

The City of Portland and the Peaks Island Council have worked together to install a much needed public toilet in an area away from Down Front.

The toilet won’t be obvious to the casual hiker, but you can find it at Trott Littlejohn Park, on Florida and Island Avenue, just under 1 mile from the ferry terminal.   Google maps link to Trott Littlejohn

While visiting, check out Trott Littlejohn and its community garden.

For other toilet locations see https://peaksisland.info/FAQ

Toilet at Trott Littlejohn