September 1, 2025 Labor Day and Back to the USA

 Monday  September 1, 2025   Yarmouth to Roque Island Anchorage  93 miles and 9.1 hours

Yup.  Another early morning departure as the sun rises.  Flat calm in the harbour as we round Bunker Island lighthouse out into Yarmouth Sound heading for the Gulf of Maine.   No wind to speak of. Forecast for this offshore passage across the open waters of the Bay of Fundy looks promising. 

Rounding Bunker Island Lighthouse

Weird bit of fog on shore

Sunrises seem to be better than sunsets - just hate getting out of bed to see them

All my weather apps seem to be in agreement.  Seas just 1-2', light and variable wind, currents will pull us into the bay for half the trip and push us out for the remainder negating that effect.  Once we're out Yarmouth harbour and into open water we set "Otto's" heading on a direct line for Roque Island, Maine.  He'll drive for the next 80 miles without complaint.  Nice enough day to see about driving from the flybridge but after checking it out - just too chilly after being in the cozy pilothouse.  Temperatures are averaging the mid 50's at night - good sleeping conditions - and into lower 60's during the day.   While not official, it seems like fall is certainly arriving in these parts. 

Sun finally peaks out over the horizon

These are the kinds of seas we like to see offshore

One surprise on the trip which we sort of knew but didn't consider was that Starlink would drop out.  Our ROAM service level is for land and near shore use.  Wasn't thinking that near shore was only good for about 20 miles offshore.  Once out that far from Yarmouth it cut out automatically.  It's possible to have offshore coverage - just requires a different more expensive plan. So, we waited until about 20 miles away from Maine and it fired back up with usual access and speeds.  Once we were about 10 miles out we activated the CPD ROAM app (Customs and Border Protection) to receive clearance to enter the US.  Unlike last year, it went very smoothly this year - submitted all our info and within 15 minutes we got our approval.  No need to even conduct a videoconference. Roque Island is famous for its huge crescent shaped beach. You can anchor in decent water right in front of the beach.  There were already 3 boats there, so we decided to drop anchor in a little cove to the north.  Anchor grabbed first time, great protection all around.  Half expected to see other boats come in to anchor with us but wound up with the place all to ourselves. 

Approaching Roque Island with its crescent shaped white beach stretching for over a mile

We'll need to get used to the lobster pot markers - they're everywhere

Our little cove - well protected and calm

Canadian courtesy flag removed.  Just the good old USA flag now.

NOAA has forecast a good chance of seeing the northern lights tonight.  Due to geomagnetic storms on the sun over the past few days, we had viewing possibilities of the aurora borealis Monday and Tuesday nights.  Just means getting up in the middle of the night to see it.  Best viewing is with an open view to the horizon facing north. We've got open sky, a half-moon, no clouds and no light pollution but unfortunately the tree line offering us protection also blocks the horizon line. Still, we were able to see some of the green and pink colors they are best known for showing.

Greens and pinks were the dominant colors. 

More pink in this picture

Big burst of green 

Staying an extra day to enjoy this anchorage.  We finally dropped the dinghy!  While we had some nice anchorages in Canada we would have liked to explore with the dinghy, getting it on and off with the davit system in windy conditions is just not fun. Light winds today so down it went and off we went to explore the Great Beach as it's called.  Last of the falling 11' tide so an immense sand beach.   Greeted by a group of seals on the way over.  Curiously kept an eye on us as we slowed and passed for pictures.  Nice soft white sand but limited shell collecting.  Had heard there was sea glass to be found on the beach but must have been picked over by the summertime crowds as we couldn't find a single piece.

 

High Tide mark clearly visible on the rocks at the western end of the beach

Wide white sandy beach - very rare along the rocky Maine coast

Had to keep returning to the dingy to push it out with the rapidly receding tide

Enjoyed the walk on the beach with toes (and only toes) in the cool clear water. Roque Island is privately owned but the owners have postings allowing visitors on the beach but request no trespassing further inland due to the ecologically sensitive nature of the island.  Very accommodating for such a lovely place.  Back on the boat decided to get some exercise and dropped a kayak over to explore some of the shallower coves while Martha put the drone up for some panoramic views of the anchorage. 

As You Wish swinging easy at anchor

Great arial view looking out to the Gulf of Maine and Atlantic Ocean

Plenty of room for a few more boats

Can you spot the kayaker??

Journey for Sept. 1, 2025