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 is 49%. average monthly revenue is $2,231. average daily rate is $202. the top operator is Vacasa with 265 listings. market score is 51/100 (grade D).
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex 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 | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 37% | $182 | $1,974 |
| Feb | 50% | $184 | $2,002 |
| Mar | 47% | $177 | $2,103 |
| Apr | 51% | $186 | $2,088 |
| May | 55% | $211 | $2,181 |
| Jun | 66% | $250 | $3,444 |
| Jul | 76% | $261 | $4,848 |
| Aug | 77% | $264 | $5,151 |
| Sep | 55% | $232 | $3,399 |
| Oct | 51% | $212 | $2,873 |
| Nov | 38% | $185 | $2,030 |
| Dec | 47% | $191 | $2,237 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Boothbay Harbor
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | 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 pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 1,407 |
| 2 bed | 1,196 |
| 3 bed | 1,087 |
| 4 bed | 465 |
| 5 bed | 281 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $207 |
| Luxury | $366 |
| Professionally Managed | $283 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $1,749 |
| Entire Place | $2,306 |
| House | $2,398 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 41.2% |
| vrbo | 14.4% |
| both | 44.4% |
Investment Analysis
Boothbay Harbor presents a high-ADR, low-inventory investment case with strong seasonal upside. At a typical home value of $517,900 and April 2026 average monthly revenue of $2,231, the annualized revenue run rate of approximately $26,776 implies a gross revenue yield of roughly 5.2%.
The yield appears modest against a $517,900 entry point, but this figure is pulled down by the April shoulder-month data. Peak summer months (July and August) average $4,848 and $5,151 respectively, and a property performing at historical averages would generate approximately $40,000 to $45,000 in the peak 3-month window alone.
ADR tiers show significant upside for better-positioned properties: entire-home listings average $207 versus $202 overall, professionally managed properties average $283 (a 40% premium), and luxury-tier listings reach $366 per night. Houses generate $2,398 per month versus apartments at $1,749, a 37% gap. The professionally managed premium of 40% suggests that Vacasa and Tides To Pines operators substantially outperform independent self-managers, particularly in capturing peak summer bookings from out-of-state visitors.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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Booking Insights
Boothbay Harbor bookings average a 45-day lead time, roughly six weeks in advance. This is longer than many drive-market coastal destinations, reflecting the deliberate summer vacation planning of guests who travel from Boston, New York, and other Northeast markets to spend a week in Maine.
Average length of stay is 3.9 nights, typical for a Maine coastal market that blends multi-night lobster-and-harbor vacations with extended weekend getaways. The concentrated July-August peak means that operators who fill their calendar at peak rates in those two months can anchor annual revenue. Minimum stay requirements of 4 to 7 nights during peak summer weeks are common and appropriate given the strong demand and the logistical overhead of turnover in a small coastal community.
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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