Brooklin, Maine

Wooden boats and writers on Eggemoggin Reach

Overview

Brooklin sits on the Blue Hill Peninsula facing Eggemoggin Reach, a legendary sailing corridor. The town’s boatyards keep wooden boat traditions alive, and writers and artists have long been drawn to its quiet coves. It’s a peaceful base for exploring Deer Isle, Blue Hill, and the Reach.

Key Facts

Population 850

Region Downeast & Acadia

County Hancock

Founded 1849

Nearest City Blue Hill (20 minutes)

Town Office Visit official website

What Brooklin Is Known For

Brooklin Local Highlights

Wooden boat culture

Home to Brooklin Boat Yard and numerous craftsmen building and restoring classics.

Eggemoggin Reach

Protected sailing waters linking Penobscot Bay and Jericho Bay with iconic bridges.

Literary ties

Writer E.B. White lived and wrote here, inspired by the local coast.

Things to Do

Sail or paddle the Reach

Explore sheltered waters and island views from local launches.

Scenic peninsula drive

Follow Route 175 past farms, galleries, and shoreline vistas.

Day trip to Deer Isle

Continue over the suspension bridge for hiking preserves and lobster shacks.

Living in Brooklin

Brooklin offers a quiet coastal lifestyle centered on the working waterfront and arts community. Services are limited in town; groceries and hardware are in Blue Hill.

Weather & Seasons

summer

Mild, 65-78 F with sea breezes

winter

Cold, 12-32 F with coastal snow

spring

Cool and damp, 40-55 F

fall

Crisp, 45-60 F with standout foliage on the peninsula

How to Get There

Follow Route 175 south from Blue Hill or Sedgwick; Route 172 connects toward Ellsworth and Route 1.

Satellite preview shows the approximate town outline to help you get oriented before you arrive.

Satellite preview

Brooklin outline

Outdoor Recreation

Boating & Sailing

June - September

Fishing in Maine 2026: Complete Freshwater & Saltwater Guide

Year-round (Open water & Ice fishing)

Lighthouse Touring

Year-round (Best: June - Oct)

Sea Kayaking

Summer & Fall (June - October)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Brooklin known for?

Brooklin is known for its wooden boat culture, with Brooklin Boat Yard and numerous craftsmen building and restoring classic boats. The town overlooks Eggemoggin Reach, a legendary sailing corridor, and was home to writer E.B. White, who was inspired by the local coast.

Did E.B. White live in Brooklin?

Yes, author E.B. White (Charlotte's Web, Stuart Little) lived in Brooklin for many years. The nearby Blue Hill Fair inspired the fair scenes in Charlotte's Web. The town continues to attract writers and artists drawn to its quiet coves and coastal beauty.

What is Eggemoggin Reach?

Eggemoggin Reach is the protected waterway between the Blue Hill Peninsula and Deer Isle, known as one of Maine's premier sailing corridors. The Reach connects Penobscot Bay and Jericho Bay, spanned by the iconic Deer Isle suspension bridge.