What makes this place special?
Ferry Beach is the first natural space many people see when arriving to Peaks Island. Over the generations, the beach has served multiple purposes. Today, kayakers, small boats, swimmers, and beachgoers share the shoreline with wildlife habitats that support nearby wetlands. It’s also an important feeding area for waterfowl and wading birds.

Plants and Wildlife
Native dune grasses and other salt-tolerant plants help hold the beach in place while providing food and shelter for wildlife. Native plants are plants that naturally belong here. Over thousands of years, they've adapted to the local climate and help support birds, insects, and other wildlife. The beach and nearby wetlands support waterfowl, shorebirds, crabs, shellfish, and other coastal species.

Today's Challenges
Ferry Beach is one of the island's most visible examples of coastal erosion. Winter storms and rising seas are wearing away the bank, while runoff from nearby roads and footpaths accelerates erosion from above. Invasive plants such as Japanese knotweed further complicate restoration efforts by displacing the native vegetation that helps stabilize the shoreline. Restoring native plants and reducing invasive species will help protect this shoreline for years to come.

Islanders in Action
Peaks Island Environmental Team (PEAT) and community partners are exploring nature-based solutions identified through the Island Institute's assessment as part of the State of Maine’s OUR SHORE initiative. Recommendations include restoring native vegetation, replacing the informal footpath with planted slopes, installing biodegradable coir logs to reduce erosion, and enhancing dune grasses to strengthen the shoreline over time.