The Marathon Inn is a historic inn at North Head on Grand Manan Island, and it is the classic place to stay for travellers who take the ferry from Blacks Harbour. North Head is the island's ferry port and one of its main villages, so an inn here puts you close to the terminal, the harbour and the start of the coastal trails, including the walk to the Swallowtail Lighthouse. The inn is an older property with the character of a traditional island hotel, which means individual rooms, creaking floors and a strong sense of place, and it suits visitors who want a base with history rather than a modern chain. Facilities and services at island inns can vary by season, so check what is available when you book, including meals, parking and any minimum stays. For travellers planning more than a day on Grand Manan, it is the obvious address, because the island has a limited stock of places to stay and most of the island's attractions are within a short drive. It is a good choice for couples, walkers and anyone who wants to watch whales, seabirds and fog from a comfortable seat.
Location and getting around
North Head sits at the northern end of the island, near the ferry terminal, so you can step off the boat and be at the inn within minutes. The Swallowtail Lighthouse and the island's cliff-top trails are close, and villages such as Seal Cove, with its working wharf, are a short drive away.
Whale-watching and seabird trips leave from island harbours in the warm months, and operators for Machias Seal Island, where puffins nest, run from the island. A car makes it easy to cover the island, though you can also bring a bicycle on the ferry, and the inn can advise on local transport and tours.
The rooms and the feel
Expect a traditional inn with a mix of room types, a dining room and a quiet atmosphere. Because the island is remote and seasonal, meals and room availability can change through the year, so ask what is offered, whether breakfast is included and whether the dining room is open on the nights you plan to stay. Mobile service and WiFi can be patchy on the island, which is part of the appeal for some guests, so check the details if you need to stay connected.
Who it suits and what to know: choose the Marathon Inn if you want to stay on Grand Manan for a night or more and prefer a historic inn near the ferry to a cottage or a motel. It suits couples, walkers and nature lovers. The ferry timetable is the key planning tool, because the larger vessel runs only in summer, and crossings can be delayed by fog and weather.
Book the ferry and the inn together, particularly for July and August, and consider a two-night stay so that a day of bad weather does not wipe out the trip. In winter the island is very quiet, and many businesses close, so confirm that the inn is open for your dates.
Why stay here
- ✓Historic island inn
- ✓Near the ferry terminal
- ✓Near Swallowtail Lighthouse
- ✓Coastal trail access
- ✓Dining room (confirm)
- ✓Breakfast (confirm)
- ✓Parking (confirm)
- ✓Tour and transport advice
Good questions
Where is the Marathon Inn?+
At North Head on Grand Manan Island, near the ferry terminal and the Swallowtail Lighthouse.
How do I get to Grand Manan?+
By ferry from Blacks Harbour. Coastal Transport Limited runs daily sailings, and the larger summer vessel runs only from late June to early September.
Is it open all year?+
Island inns are often seasonal or run reduced services in winter, so confirm the dates and the dining arrangements before you book.
