Explore Baker IslandAnd Other Acadia Islands Near Mount Desert IslandBaker Island is one of the many Acadia islands you can visit within a short boat trip from Mount Desert Island.  Some of the islands near Acadia are actually part of the park, while others are just nice places to visit. So, if you have some extra time, you might want to take the time to venture out a bit farther afield. The Offshore Islands of Acadia National ParkThere are 3 offshore islands that have an Acadia presence on them. If you have the time, it's definitely worth seeing one or all of them... Isle au Haut
If you want to hike at Isle au Haut, there are 18 miles of rough and often wet trails that you can hike on your own or with one of Acadia's rangers. Wildlife sightings are common, including bald eagles and ospreys. Biking is not encouraged on the island, as there are not many bike-accessible trails or roads. You can also camp at lean-to shelters (with reservations only) or stay in one of the bed and breakfastson the island. Little Cranberry Island
Baker IslandBaker Island is a small island located at the entrance to Frenchman Bay from the Atlantic Ocean, about 4 miles southeast of MDI. Around 75% of the island is part of Acadia National Park. There are a couple of seasonal residents. Its brick lighthouse was commissioned by President John Quincy Adams, with the aim of protecting travelers to the Cranberry Islands. In fact, Baker Island is considered one of the 5 Cranberry Isles. But what's really fascinating is that almost the entire human history of Baker Island is tied up in one family... the Gilleys. They settled the land, farmed it and tended the lighthouse, up until 1929. Their descendants still live in the surrounding areas. If you go to Baker Island, look for their old homesteads and also be sure to see the Dance Floor, a jumble of pink, granite slabs on the southern coast of the island. They really used to be used for parties and dancing! To get there, you can take a tour with the Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company or you can also get a ferry from Northeast Harbor. Other Interesting Islands Near AcadiaThough the 3 islands above are the most visited, there are many other beautiful islands around Acadia that you can either view or visit. Here are some of them... Porcupine Islands
There are 4 Porcupine Islands:
Sheep and Bald Porcupine Islands belong in total to Acadia NP, while only a portion of Long Porcupine Island does. Burnt Porcupine Island is privately owned. All of these park areas are closed from February 15th to August 31st because of bald eagles and other endangered birds nesting on the islands. Bald Porcupine Island has 32 acres of mature forest, with sheer cliffs on the south side and more gentle slopes on the northern side. Long Porcupine Island has sheer 100 foot cliffs rising from the ocean that are loved by rock climbers. The island is only a 30-minute paddle from Gouldsboro. Read the story of how the Porcupine Islands got their name Bar IslandThis is the closest island to the coast of Mount Desert Island. A tidal island, it is actually accessible right from the town of Bar Harbor via a wide sandbar that connects the island to MDI at low tide. You can find the access at the West Street town pier in Bar Harbor. Beware though... the sandbar completely disappears at high tide. If you don't time your return trip correctly, you'll be trapped on the island for another 6 hours! Other IslandsThese other islands may or may not be available for visiting, but can still be viewed from various points in and near Acadia... Bear Island is located at the entrance to Somes Sound in Northeast Harbor and is the home of the Bear Island Lighthouse, which was built in 1839. Bear Island is actually one of the Cranberry Islands. Big Moose Island is separated from Schoodic Peninsula by West Pond Cove, but is connected by causeway. It is considered part of the town of Winter Harbor. Egg Rock is the location of the picturesque Egg Rock Lighthouse that was built in 1875. It is visible from most whale watching tours and has a long breakwater where you can often spot bald eagles, cormorants and other birds and perhaps seals. Egg Rock is also part of Winter Harbor township. Ironbound Island is privately owned and protected by a conservation easement. The island is a registered critical area for old growth pine; it's rugged landscape with high ocean cliffs. Jordan Island is another privately owned island protected by a conservation easement, and like many of the other offshore islands, is part of Winter Harbor. Mark Island is the home of the Winter Harbor Lighthouse, which was built in 1856 and is also privately owned and part of Winter Harbor township. Preble Island is a 79-acre island covered with dense forest and managed by a conservation agency. It is located close to the Sorrento shoreline. Sears Island was called Wassumkeag by the Wabanaki Indian tribe. It is located off the coast of Searsport, a nearby downeast Maine town. It is the largest undeveloped, uninhabited, causeway-accessible island on Maine’s east coast. Environmentalists are currently fighting to prevent building on the island. So, as you can see, there are many islands you can explore around Acadia, including Baker Island and Isle au Haut. It's all up to you! 
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"Isle au Haut" is the French name given to this island by the explorer Champlain. It is roughly translated to mean "High Island." The island is a combination of park land (60%) and private land. There are a few year-round residents. The park land was generously donated to Acadia by heirs of some of the original European residents.
Little Cranberry is a tiny island with the typical Maine rocky shores and spruce forests. There are also 75 permanent residents in and around the small village of Isleford. Look for the Blue Duck's Ship Store and the Isleford Historical Museum, historic buildings that are both part of Acadia, where you can learn about the history of the hardy people of the Cranberry Islands.
These are some of most visible islands from the Bar Harbor area. They're the islands you see from the early vantage points along the Park Loop Road. Located in Frenchman's Bay, they are actually part of the township of Gouldsboro, one of the towns in the 
