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The Cross Island refuge complex protects six islands located 10 miles southeast of the town of Machias in Machias Bay.
It is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex.
There is no ferry service to these remote islands. Visitors reach the islands by private boat launched from Machias. Only experienced boaters should plan this trip due to cold ocean waters, unpredictable seas, strong currents and tidal surges that can exceed 12 feet.
Cross Island is open during the day for hiking as long as visitors leave no trace. There are no developed trails or facilities.
During spring and summer, Mink and Outer Double Head Shot islands are closed to public access because of nesting eagles.
Inner Double Head Shot and Old Man islands are closed to protect nesting seabirds from spring through Aug. 31.
These islands were donated to the Fish and Wildlife Service by Thomas and Virginia Cabot. The complex includes Cross Island, Scotch Island, Outer Double Head Shot, Inner Double Head Shot, Mink, and Old Man Island.
Cross, Mink, and Scotch are forested islands. Cross Island hosts red spruce and balsam fir, white-tailed deer and nesting eagles and osprey.
Migrating shorebirds, raptors, and waterfowl stop on the islands to forage.
Atlantic Salmon Inc. has had an aquaculture site off Northwest Head since 1987. Hurricane Island Outward Bound operates a camp on Cross Island.
The Double Head Shots and Old Man are grass-covered and are important to nesting seabirds, attracting colonies of common eiders, Leach's storm-petrels, black guillemots and double-crested cormorants.
Old Man Island is one of only six nesting sites for razorbills in the Gulf of Maine.
Outdoor Activities |
