Shabbit Island, Addison
While small, three-acre Shabbit Island in Addison is highly scenic and lies within a region of high-value seabird and shorebird wildlife habitat.
Shabbit Island is good for:
Paddling – Enjoy a day exploring the island’s small sandy beaches, grassy knolls, and scenic granite ledges in this prime paddling area, where you’ll also find many lobster boats. Take care!
How to get there
From Addison, boats can be launched at one of two ramps: either the town-owned beach at the southern end of Moose Neck or from the paved, all-tide ramp on Eastern Harbor on the west side of Moose Neck. Small boats and kayaks can land on the sand beach on the island’s northeastern shore.
For a complete map with legend and guidelines, click on the Printable Preserve Map above.
Notes on topography, flora, and fauna
This 3-acre island preserve is located in Wahoa Bay, less than a mile east of Moose Neck in the town of Addison. The island is partially forested, but visitors are drawn to its two sand beaches, grassy knolls, and scenic granite ledges.
With a high point of less than 20 feet above sea level, Shabbit Island’s topography is subtle. Low, gently sloping knolls rise up at the southwestern, southeastern and northern tips of the island, but the main portion of the upland appears flat. Picnicking, observing wildlife, and relaxing at the beach are the perfect ways to enjoy Shabbit Island.
Within a five-mile radius of Shabbit are sixteen other conserved islands including some that are privately owned with conservation easements, as well as preserves owned by MCHT, the State of Maine, and the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge. This part of the Maine coast has a high concentration of seabird nesting islands. In August and September, this island is an important place for shorebird stopover and feeding; please observe from a distance.
How this place became open to the public
MCHT acquired Shabbit Island in 2009.
Preserve information/guidelines
- Fires By Permit Only – Maine State Law
- Contact Maine Forest Service at 1-800-750-9777 for permit
- Keep All Fires Below High Tide Line – Do Not Build Fire Rings
- Do Not Cut or Break Tree Limbs, Dead or Alive
- Leave No Fire Unattended
- Completely Extinguish All Fires
- Carry Out All Trash
- Including Human and Pet Waste and Toilet Paper
- Keep Pets Under Strict Voice or Leash Control