Boothbay Harbor, Maine Short-Term Rental Market
Boothbay Harbor STRs averaged $202/night at 49.1% occupancy in April 2026, with an intense July-August peak reaching 77% occupancy.
Quick Answer: Boothbay Harbor, Maine is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Maine Midcoast market area is 63%. average monthly revenue in the Maine Midcoast market area is $4,204. average daily rate in the Maine Midcoast market area is $312. the top operator in the Maine Midcoast market area is Vacasa with 265 listings. market score is 51/100 (grade D).
Market data reflects the Maine Midcoast regional market, which includes Boothbay Harbor. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Boothbay Harbor.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Boothbay Harbor is one of Maine’s premier coastal tourism destinations, drawing visitors to its working harbor, lobster dining, whale watching, and summer arts scene. The STR market is tightly seasonal, with a pronounced summer concentration. As of April 2026, the average daily rate is $202, occupancy is 49.1%, and RevPAR is $99. Year-over-year, occupancy rose 5.2 percentage points and ADR grew 5.8%, though the combined revenue effect was nearly flat at +0.4% versus April 2025.
The market operates in a highly permissive regulatory environment: Boothbay Harbor has no local STR ordinance as of mid-2025, and the only compliance requirement is Maine’s state lodging tax. This absence of local regulation makes it one of the most accessible coastal markets for operators in New England.
The supply base is small and specialized, with Vacasa leading the market at 265 listings and serving the broader Boothbay-Linekin Bay corridor. The for-sale inventory is extremely tight at only 11 units, reflecting the scarcity of property in this small coastal community with a population of approximately 2,085.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 37% |
| Feb | 50% |
| Mar | 47% |
| Apr | 51% |
| May | 55% |
| Jun | 66% |
| Jul | 76% |
| Aug | 78% |
| Sep | 55% |
| Oct | 52% |
| Nov | 38% |
| Dec | 47% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Boothbay Harbor are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Maine Midcoast market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Maine Midcoast market as a whole, which includes Boothbay Harbor, so these counts are not Boothbay Harbor-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vacasa | 265 | 8,460 | ★ 4.61 |
| 2 | Tides To Pines | 189 | 3,158 | ★ 4.56 |
| 3 | Evolve | 61 | 2,488 | ★ 4.76 |
| 4 | Your Island Connection | 51 | 1,073 | ★ 4.77 |
| 5 | On The Water | 49 | 23 | ★ 4.71 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Boothbay Harbor?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Boothbay Harbor are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 41.2% |
| vrbo | 14.4% |
| both | 44.4% |
Home Value Trends (Boothbay Harbor)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Boothbay Harbor are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Insights
Booking-window and length-of-stay analysis for Boothbay Harbor — how far ahead guests book and how to price around it — is available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Boothbay Harbor has no local short-term rental ordinance as of mid-2025. STRs operate without a local permit, registration requirement, or zoning restriction. The town’s selectboard discussed a proposed registration program (annual fees of $100 for properties rented 6 or more months per year, or $195 for properties rented less than 6 months per year) but this had not been adopted as of the most recent profile update. Lincoln County imposes no additional county-level STR permit or tax layer.
The only mandatory compliance requirement is Maine’s 9% state lodging tax, which applies to all rentals under 28 consecutive days. Operators must register with Maine Revenue Services to obtain a Retailer’s Certificate and remit the 9% tax on all qualifying stays. There is no owner-occupancy, primary residence, or maximum nights-per-year requirement at either the state or local level. Enforcement is rated minimal.
Investors should monitor Boothbay Harbor’s annual town meeting agenda, as a local registration requirement could be enacted and would add operational obligations.
Market Comparison
Boothbay Harbor’s April 2026 ADR of $202 is slightly below the US STR median of approximately $220, while occupancy at 49.1% is below the national median of approximately 55%. These figures understate the market’s summer strength: August occupancy of 77.5% and revenue of $5,151 substantially exceed most US coastal benchmarks.
Vacasa leads with 265 listings and 8,460 reviews (4.61 average rating). Tides To Pines follows with 189 listings and 3,158 reviews (4.56 rating). Evolve holds 61 listings with 2,488 reviews (4.76 rating). Your Island Connection manages 51 listings (4.77 rating). On The Water rounds out the top five with 49 listings (4.71 rating).
Vacasa and Tides To Pines together dominate the professionally managed segment with 454 combined listings. The presence of a strong regional specialist (Tides To Pines) competing with Vacasa reflects the importance of Maine Coast knowledge in managing this highly seasonal market effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions About Boothbay Harbor, Maine
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