Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

The Isles of Shoals: Just Off the Coast of Rye, NH

If you have ever driven along Ocean Boulevard in Rye on a clear day and looked out toward the horizon, you have probably noticed a small collection of islands sitting several miles offshore.

The Isles of Shoals are the islands you see offshore.

Living in Rye and selling real estate throughout the New Hampshire Seacoast, I spend a lot of time talking with people about our coastline — our beaches, Rye Harbor, the marshes, the different neighborhoods and, of course, the views. But one of my favorite pieces of local history is something many people don't realize:

Part of the Isles of Shoals actually belongs to Rye.

The Isles of Shoals are a group of nine islands located off the New Hampshire and Maine coastline. Five are part of Maine, while four — Star, Lunging, White and Seavey Islands — are part of the Town of Rye, New Hampshire.

They are one of those things we see from shore all the time, but there is so much more history behind them than you might expect.

A Little Isles of Shoals History

The history of the Isles of Shoals goes back hundreds of years.

Native peoples visited the islands long before European settlement, and by the early 1600s, the surrounding waters had become important fishing grounds. Captain John Smith mapped the islands in 1614, and the Shoals eventually developed into a thriving fishing community and commercial outpost.

By the 1800s, their story began to change.

The islands became a popular summer destination, attracting writers, artists and visitors looking for an escape along the New England coast. Hotels were built, and the Shoals developed a reputation as a wonderfully remote summer retreat.

That sense of being somewhere completely different still exists today.

You can be just a few miles from Portsmouth and Rye, yet once you are out there, it feels like another world.

Star Island

Star Island is probably the best-known of the Isles of Shoals and one you can actually visit.

It is the second-largest island in the group and is part of Rye. It is home to the historic Oceanic House, one of the last surviving grand hotels from that era, as well as Gosport Chapel and a collection of historic buildings.

During the warmer months, visitors can take a boat to Star Island, spend the day exploring, or stay on the island as part of one of its conferences and retreats.

If you live here and have never made the trip, I think it is one of those Seacoast experiences worth doing at least once.

Seeing the Isles of Shoals From Rye

You certainly don't have to get on a boat to appreciate them.

One of the things I love about the Rye coastline is how much the view changes depending on where you are - and even depending on the day.

Sometimes the Isles of Shoals are incredibly clear. Other days, they almost disappear into the horizon.

When I am working with buyers looking at oceanfront and coastal homes in Rye, I encourage them to look beyond the words "ocean view."

What do you actually see?

Can you see the Isles of Shoals? Rye Harbor? The sunrise? Fishing boats heading out in the morning? Are you looking directly at the Atlantic, across the marsh, or perhaps both?

Those details matter.

Two homes can be located relatively close to one another along the Rye coastline and offer completely different experiences.

A Perfect Example: 1681 Ocean Boulevard

One of my current listings, 1681 Ocean Boulevard in Rye, is a perfect example.

Known as Calhau, the home has a particularly unique setting because it sits between the Atlantic Ocean and Awcomin Marsh.

From the front of the home, you look across Ocean Boulevard toward the Atlantic, and on a clear day, you can see the Isles of Shoals on the horizon.

Behind the property, the experience is completely different, with expansive views across Awcomin Marsh and toward Rye Harbor.

It is something that is difficult to fully appreciate from photographs alone.

And it is also a good example of why, when I am helping someone evaluate a coastal property in Rye, I look at much more than the house itself. Elevation, orientation, beach access, marshland, harbor proximity, privacy and exactly what you see from the property all contribute to how you will actually live there.

It's Part of Living Here

For me, the Isles of Shoals are part of the backdrop of living in Rye.

You notice them when you're walking the beach. You see them driving along Route 1A. You spot them from certain homes along Ocean Boulevard. And once you know a little about their history, I think you look at them differently.

That's one of the things I enjoy most about the New Hampshire Seacoast.

There is history everywhere, but it doesn't feel preserved behind glass. It's simply part of everyday life.

You see it in Portsmouth's historic homes, in Rye's stone walls and old farm properties, in our working harbor, along the beaches and even on those little islands you can see sitting on the horizon.

The Isles of Shoals are another small piece of what makes Rye such a special place to call home.

Considering a Move to Rye or the New Hampshire Seacoast?

If you're considering a home in Rye, Rye Beach or elsewhere along the New Hampshire Seacoast, I'd love to help you get to know the area. Having lived in Rye for years and worked with buyers and sellers throughout our coastal communities, I can help you understand not only the homes, but the nuances of the different neighborhoods, beaches and locations that make this area so special.

Sometimes the things that make a property — or a community — special aren't necessarily the things you'll find on a listing sheet.

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