Rockefeller-linked Maine island listed at $1.75M

A 30-acre private island in Blue Hill Bay went on the market on Monday with a listing price of $1.75 million. The property, known as Orono Island, is located just north of Swans Island and has not been sold in at least 50 years.

Key details of the transaction include the following: The island is largely undeveloped, containing only two docks and a small wooden shelter roughly 10 by 20 feet. The shelter features sleeping bunks. Listing agent Story Litchfield of LandVest Inc. noted that multiple prospective buyers have already shown interest in the property.

The site offers a 20-minute boat ride from Bass Harbor. It includes wooded areas, walking paths, picnic spots, and sandy beaches. One pier is a granite wharf that serves as a deepwater dock, while the other functions as a tidal dock. The island reaches a high point of about 62 feet, providing views of boating traffic on Casco Passage and neighboring islands.

The property is entirely off-grid. It has no running water, septic system, or electricity. A well has been dug on the island, but Litchfield stated that the fresh water has not been used for drinking purposes.

Context reveals that the island was previously owned by Margaret "Peggy" Rockefeller, according to the state’s Coastal Island Registry. The current sellers, who live on Mount Desert Island, used Orono for decades for picnics and family gatherings. Litchfield said the family feels it is time to pass the property to someone else who will enjoy it.

A conservation easement governs the land, restricting development to one residential building and necessary outbuildings. The island cannot host commercial properties or a second home. Litchfield described the location as ideal for boating and hiking, adding that the sellers would prefer the next owner to be conservation-minded.