Southwest Harbor, Maine Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson
Last updated August 23, 2023
Southwest Harbor Short-Term Rental Regulations
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Short Term City Rating4.5
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Competition
2.7 -
Real Estate Cost
N/A -
STR Regulations
N/A -
Seasonality
2.6 -
Rental Rates
8.3
Southwest Harbor, Maine Quick Stats
Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.
- Population
- 1,756
- STR License Required
- No
- Tourist Season
- County
- Hancock
- Airports
- Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport (BHB)
- Bangor International Airport (BGR)
Want to learn more about Southwest Harbor?
Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.
Check out our Southwest Harbor rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Southwest Harbor rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Southwest Harbor.
The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.
Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.
What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Southwest Harbor guests.
Interested in other Maine cities?
Check out the Maine Airbnb rules directory
What makes Southwest Harbor a great place to invest?
- Charming Coastal Village: Southwest Harbor, Maine is a picturesque coastal village located on Mount Desert Island, offering a serene atmosphere that embodies the quintessential charm of New England. The village's historic architecture, waterfront views, and quaint streets lined with local shops, galleries, and eateries create an enchanting environment for visitors seeking an authentic Maine experience.
- Acadia National Park: As the gateway to the renowned Acadia National Park, Southwest Harbor provides easy access to the park's breathtaking natural beauty, encompassing granite peaks, dense forests, and stunning coastline. The park boasts over 120 miles of hiking trails, including the iconic Precipice Trail, Jordan Pond Path, and Cadillac Mountain Summit – perfect for adventurers of all skill levels.
- Outdoor Recreation: In addition to exploring Acadia National Park, visitors can enjoy an array of outdoor activities in Southwest Harbor, such as kayaking, sailing, fishing, and birdwatching. Paddle the tranquil waters of Somes Sound, charter a sailboat for a scenic cruise, or join a whale-watching tour for a chance to spot these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.
- Lobster Dining: No trip to Southwest Harbor would be complete without indulging in its famous Maine lobster. Visit one of the area's waterfront restaurants to savor a delicious lobster dinner, complete with locally-sourced ingredients and traditional sides. Enjoy the fresh catch of the day while taking in stunning views of the harbor and surrounding natural beauty.
Southwest Harbor Nearby Cities
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13 miles away
- Rating: 4.6
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52 miles away
- Rating: 7.3
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The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Southwest Harbor, Maine
Common terms for Southwest Harbor short term rental listings.
When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.
Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:
- Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
- Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
- Informative: The average listing in Southwest Harbor has a description approximately 1,672 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.
After reviewing more than 624 listings in Southwest Harbor, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Acadia National, Cottage, Southwest Harbor, Deck, Bar Harbor, View, Desert Island, Island, Mount Desert, and Acadia.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Southwest Harbor?
Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Southwest Harbor involve Hiking, Swimming, Sailing, Cycling, and Whale Watching. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.
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Hiking
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Swimming
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Sailing
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Cycling
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Whale Watching
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Mountain Climbing
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Mountain Biking
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Adventure Activities
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Boating
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Antiquing
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Kayaking
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Marina
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Southwest Harbor, including Acadia National Park, Acadia National Park's Visitors Center, Cadillac Mountain, Bar Harbor Whale Watching, and Village Green. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.
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Well Known Attraction
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Acadia National Park
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Acadia National Park's Visitors Center
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Cadillac Mountain
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Bar Harbor Whale Watching
Included on 86% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Village Green
Included on 33% of listings
What’s the weather like in Southwest Harbor, Maine?
The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 53°, while the average low is about 38°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 37 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall can be rather heavy, averaging less than 47 inches per year. The humidity levels in Southwest Harbor are generally lower than the national average, and the city tends to be a bit cloudy for most of the year.
Winter
December through February
18° Low 33° High
Spring
March through May
35° Low 51° High
Summer
June through August
56° Low 73° High
Fall
September through November
42° Low 56° High
Cities Near Southwest Harbor
Southwest Harbor, Maine, is located in Hancock County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
