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Valley Cove in Somes Sound, Mt. Desert Island

(In region Mount Desert)
See more: Gunk holes | 

 
 
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Lat/Long: N 44.309688 | W 68.31862 (appx)
near or in: Mt Desert, Maine, 04660


Boater's Comments/Ratings:   (Write comment/rate resource)

Currently: 2 comments with an average "Boat rating" of 80%

   Badger, Tartan 34, SouthWind, posted 4/29/2008
I've spent many days and nights at Vally cove. I wouldn't exactly call Vally Cove a gunkhole, it's more of an anchorage. Nor would I call it always protected from the wind due to an interesting phenomena caused by the surrounding land mass. In summer afternoons, when the sea breeze may only be 5 knots out on the ocean, it will often be 20 knots or more in Vally Cove with strong wlliwaws spreading cats paws across the cove from the direction of the beach. Because the bottom slopes away down wind, anchors may not always hold well. If you do manage to get a good spot here, the nights can be quiet and the sky full of stars. The sunrize warm and bright as it shines on the 900 foot cliffs which echo the sounds of boats waking up. There is an excellent super market about a mile or more down the road from the beach. Turn right at the highway. It's a pleasant walk or bike ride.

A good shoal draft alternative to Vally Cove is to go up to Somesville and anchor just beyond the moorings near Sheep Island where the chart shows 5 feet which of coarse will be 6 or 7 feet most of the time. Excellent holding and protection. Land on the beach next to the dock. The dock apparently is restricted.
   David Marchand, posted 8/13/2006
At low tide harvest the mussels that appear on the Maine beach. They may be a bit sandy, but are great eating. Saute a handfull of green onions, shallots or white onions with garlic. Then add a half cup of white wine and dump in your mussels. Cook for about 3-5 minutes until all are open. Enjoy!!!


A good gunk hole offers protection, but a great one offers spectacular views and access to shore. Valley Cove near the southern end of Somes Sound on Mt. Desert Island is one such place. Bordering Acadia National Park, the cove offers good protection, a "Maine beach" to explore, a beautiful vista and some cool walking paths. Bring your binoculars and watch the Peregrine Falcons up on the cliff.

Somes Sound is a 5 mile long stretch of water running north-south on the south end Mount Desert Island. At one time, Somes Sound was thought to be the best example of fjord in New England, but later scientists disputed this designation. What is agreed is that Somes Sound was glacially carved starting about 2 million years ago. An excellent summary of its geologic history can be found here.

Valley Cove's "Maine Beach"

At all except high tide, you’ll find a rocky "Maine Beach" (gravel, rocks and some sand) wrapping around most of south end of Valley Cove. These rocks seem to be "rollers" that have rolled their way down the slopes over the eons. One look up and you’ll see their source.
 
The "beach" at low is large, a good 60-80 feet deep by hundreds of feet long. There is a mix of sand, gravel and rollers making a stroll along the beach an interesting explore. Caution: Younger children should be well supervised.
 
At high tide the beach is all but gone.

We arrived at dead low tide. The water depth from shore drops fairly rapidly so one must find the right distance to anchor. As we approached Kathie watched from the bow because some of these same rocks have made their way into the water. Our 18 lb Bruce dug in firmly and we were hard-set for the night.

Walking Paths Take You High Above the Cove

Leading up from the beach is a rocky, stair-stepped path. The path wraps around the gunk hole, taking you high above the water and providing some views of Somes Sound and the surrounding hills. See our photos right. These do not capture the full splendor!
 
But beware, the path varies from a cute set of log stairs to some large boulders perched vertically side by side. The kids might enjoy an early portion of the path, but it soon turns into boulders which could be hazardous to young ones.  There’s another path that leads to a road, and from the road, you can reach a store - at least we're told.

Gunk Hole Protection

Valley Cove is well protected to the west and south, fair protection from the north and little protection from the east. We slept well with only the briefest notice of passing boats. You are far enough away so boat wakes are fairly minimized by the time they reach Valley Cove.
 
One last interesting tidbit. While there, we noticed an outdoors-dressed person watching the cliff with a telescope. She allowed us to look through the telescope at an amazing site - a Peregrine Falcon perched high on the cliff. These birds are known to achieve speeds of 175 miles per hour as they dive to catch unsuspecting birds in flight.
 
Valley Cove has made our list of favorite gunk holes. We are looking forward to our next visit.
 
- Rick Dieffenbach, rick@boatmaine.us
Lady-In-Red Macgregor 26x
 
 

    

Other Marine Resources Within 3 Miles of Valley Cove in Somes Sound, Mt. Desert Island

(You can zoom in and out of the map below with your mouse wheel and drag the map with your mouse left button.)

#
Statute Miles
 Item Contact Info:
X
0
 Valley Cove in Somes Sound, Mt. Desert Island 
2
1.8
 John Williams Boat Company, Mount Desert  phone: (207) 244 7854
www.stanleyboats.com
3
2.2
 Dysart's Great Harbor Marina  phone: (207)244-0117
info@dysartsmarina.com
www.dysartsmarina.com
4
2.2
 Southwest Harbor (serving Southwest Harbor) 
5
2.3
 Southwest Boat Marine Services, Southwest Harbor, Maine  phone: 207-244-5525
info@southwestboat.com
www.southwestboat.com
6
2.3
 Greening Island (aka Greening's Island) 
7
2.5
 Greening Ledge (aka Greenings Ledge (US-T121)) 
     

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