How Many Islands Actually Are in and Around Maine?

It's an understatement to say there are quite a few islands here in Maine—but at the end of the day, how many islands are actually here?

Britannica says an island is a piece of land, smaller than a continent, that is completely surrounded by water and can be found in oceans, seas, lakes, or rivers.

So, with that in mind, how do we determine the number of islands that truly belong to and surround our Pine Tree State?

To find the most accurate number of islands in and around Maine, we’re checking several trusted sources like DownEast magazine, ExploreMaine.org, and the Maine Coastal Island Registry from the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry. Each source may count islands a little differently, so comparing them helps give us the clearest picture.

Well, let’s get right to it: all things considered, how many islands does Maine actually have?

DownEast reports that Maine has between 3,168 and 4,613 islands off its coast, depending on who's counting and what qualifies as an island.

ExploreMaine.org adds that there are over 4,600 islands scattered along our coast, including several inland, to which there is not a known number.

The higher number includes ledges over an acre in size, many of which are submerged at high tide, making the true island count a bit of a moving target.

Maine.gov explains that the Coastal Island Registry exists primarily to distinguish between public and private ownership, rather than to keep a current record of who owns what.

As of April 4th, 2025, the registry lists 1,846 islands as privately registered, 204 islands as exempt from registration due to having multiple structures, and 1,322 islands under the care and custody of the State of Maine.

And there you have it—the number isn’t exactly set in stone. It depends on who you ask. But the answer, as underwhelming as it may sound, is simply: a lot. That’s how many.

Are there more or fewer islands than you expected around Maine? We’d love to hear from you! Feel free to join the conversation by messaging us on the app.

Read More: This Hiking Trail Was Called the 'Most Romantic' in Maine