Middle Beach derives its name from its central location among Frenchboro Long Island's multiple shoreline access points within the Maine Coast Heritage Trust preserve. The beach represents one of several remote coastal features along this 8.2-mile shoreline on Maine's easternmost unbridged year-round island community.
The beach offers access to the preserve's network of challenging trails through spruce forests and forested wetlands, with opportunities to observe nesting bald eagles, migratory birds, beaver, and deer. The rocky shoreline supports rare plant species and provides habitat for marine mammals including harbor porpoises and seals visible during the 50-minute ferry ride from Bass Harbor.
With only 27 year-round residents, Frenchboro maintains minimal dining infrastructure, reflecting its character as a working fishing village. Visitors typically bring provisions or visit seasonal community establishments, embracing the island's remote, conservation-focused atmosphere eight miles offshore from Mount Desert Island.
