The Most Beautiful Islands In New Hampshire

New England is known for its picturesque islands. The state of New Hampshire itself has nearly 300 to its credit, each with its own intoxicating mixture of charm, whimsy, and natural beauty. Lounge on beaches overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, laze in tidal pools, and witness jaw-dropping sunsets from New Hampshire’s hidden gems. If you are looking to visit the many islands of New Hampshire but unsure where to start, look no further. Here is a list of the most beautiful islands the state has to offer.

Star Island, New Hampshire

The famed Isles of Shoals are one of the high points in New Hampshire. Star Island is one of nine islands that make up the Isles of Shoals, and this island's former fishing village has roots tracing back to the 1600s. Fun fact for fans of Disney's Pocahontas: The Isles of Shoals were named by the one and only Captain John Smith in 1614. Later, during the American War of Independence, the islands were largely depopulated, and life would not return to normal until the Victorian era. Today, fishing and sailing are two of the most popular activities on the island.

The island’s history remains well maintained, however. Look no further than Star Island’s historic buildings to see the hundreds of years of the island’s heritage up close and personal. To see the island, feel free to explore yourself or make your way aboard a steamship. The Isles of Shoals Steamship Company offers marine and walking tours of the island and its windswept, craggy shores, belying swirling tidal pools, and ancient caves. For an authentic island experience, overnight visitors are encouraged to consider the Oceanic Hotel. This Victorian-era hotel is majestic and an absolute delight in an era of charmless franchise accommodations.

Peirce Island

This little island is only 27 acres in size but punches well above its weight class. Peirce Island is located between the Piscataqua River and the picturesque "South End" of Portsmouth, which owns the island. Despite its size, the island has quite a bit of history to it. It was the former site of Fort Washington, named after the first American President. It was a ship-building site during the 1850s, and during the Second World War, the island served as a recreation center for servicemen.

Today, Peirce Island draws visitors throughout the year thanks to its natural beauty. The island is dog-friendly and offers walking trails that lead past five waterfront overlooks. These trails feature salt marshes, rocky cliffsides, and tidal pools. Scenic walks are excellent here, as are the views of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and Memorial Bridge, which links New Hampshire and Maine. For even more exploring, follow the trail to Four Tree Island for a prime piece of bird-watching and picnicking real estate. Pierce Island also features an affordable swimming pool perfect for a midday dip.

Governor’s Island

Part of the town of Gilford and found on the scenic Lake Winnipesaukee, the largest lake in the state, Governor's Island is the perfect place for a getaway from the drone of office fax machines and traffic jams. The landscapes are jaw-dropping and the island is quiet and inviting. The lake itself is enormous and is the meeting place between other islands which are just waiting to be explored. The sandy beaches here are some of the finest in the state and there are walking trails, tennis courts, and more here.

Back in Gilford proper, all of your shopping needs can be satisfied by the town’s quaint boutiques. Dining opportunities are abundant as well, from classic pub food at Patrick’s Pub & Eatery to seafood at Ellacoya Barn & Grill. Furthermore, the island is only a stone’s throw from the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion, a 9,000-seat outdoor amphitheater that absolutely comes alive in the summertime. 140 acres of the island have been set aside as natural conservation lands. You can find peaceful hiking and cross-country ski trails winding across the entire island.

Bear Island

Located near Governor’s Island and as the second biggest island on Lake Winnipesaukee, Bear Island is another high point for nature lovers looking to get away from it all. With oodles of hiking trails and a beautiful historic church that attracts visitors from far and wide, Bear Island has something for everyone. Some might think that Bear Island has little else to offer besides its hiking trails and forests, but this New Hampshire gem is more than meets the eye. For example, it has what might be the nation’s coolest post office. The M/V Sophie C is one of two floating postal offices in the country. It delivers mail throughout the lake as it has done since 1892. You can even ride the boat for a two-hour mailboat cruise.

Scuba divers will want to explore the lake as well. There have long been legends of shipwrecked ruins along the bottom of the lake, while landlubbers can hunt for views using the island’s Bear Cam for a unique view of the lake. The island’s lighthouse was completely rebuilt in 1889 and can be viewed from the water. Bear Island's chapel is not easy to access, but is certainly worth the effort. To see it, adventurers will need to cross the lake by boat and then hike up to the highest point of the island. Once there, a stone chapel awaits in a small clearing. The chapel is straight out of a storybook and definitely worth the trip.

Hog Island

Hog Island is a place like no other. Kids and adults flock here each year to take in the sights and sounds of the New Hampshire island scenery in summer camps, which take campers around to observe nature, which is home to many beautiful birds of the area. Hog Island, despite the name, is a birder's paradise. The island has over 300 acres of forested island beauty. Around 30 acres are devoted to the nature camp off of the Pemaquid Peninsula and there is a rich tradition of visiting the islands.

Visitors have come from far and wide since the early 20th century to see the puffin colony on Eastern Egg Rock. Today, children visiting the summer camps go lobster trapping, on entomological expeditions, and explore the island’s wonder. Adults have plenty to see here as well. Birding trips here can be hired to search for scoters, raptors, warblers, and puffins. Or, if birding is not your thing, walking tours are also available to experience Hog Island on your own terms. It must be seen to be believed.

Long Island

Long Island is found in Lake Winnipesaukee and is part of the town of Moultonborough. This island gem is 1,186 acres in area, making it the largest island on Lake Winnipesaukee, one of the largest lakes in the nation. Though it has primarily been used for farming since its annexation by Moultonborough, Long Island has undergone somewhat of a transformation recently. With the building of the bridge and additional routes of access by steamboat, Long Island has become a veritable tourist destination. Trexler’s Marina and Long Island’s shorefront are a big hit during warmer seasons for sailors and landlubbers alike. There are plenty of beaches to enjoy as well for those who do not have their sea legs quite yet!

Long Island is home to deer and other animals, which makes this getaway the perfect place for people looking to reconnect with nature and the simpler things. The island’s rolling hills are a favorite with snowsports enthusiasts as well, as the frozen lake and plenty of snowmobiling opportunities make Long Island a treat all year. Nearby, Moultonborough proper has all the amenities one will need on their relaxing retreat and offers tourist attractions like the Castle in the Clouds, whose historic mansion is open for viewing tours, and the Loon Center, which invites visitors to traipse through the lakeside, taking in the sights of the region’s waterfowl.

New Hampshire’s islands are absolutely worth exploring. Whether at the seaside or in the middle of its great lakes, the state is positively swimming in beauty, history, and serenity. There are gaggles of seabirds nesting on the Isles of Shoals and stupendous hiking waiting on the islands within Lake Winnipesaukee. Take a trip, set your phone on silent, and retreat from the mundanity of urban life at any of these fine islands.