How rough is the water around bear island?

[RyanDe]

That island is back on our list. :laugh: Curious what the water is like throughout the year. The west looks pretty protected, how's the east part of the island? What about boat traffic around the island?

[Barney Bear]

The waves coming against our dock on East Bear Island from the southeast yesterday varied from two to four feet at the height of the blow. We had planned to leave yesterday afternoon, but decided to leave early in the morning. Today, we left at 6:50 AM. The lake was fairly calm and the rain had passed on to the east. A strong northwest breeze is forecast for later today. Boat traffic on the east side of Bear Island is not heavy. There is plenty of open water for all to enjoy. 🎣 ⛵️ 🛥 🌊 🐻

[RyanDe]

The waves coming against our dock on East Bear Island from the southeast yesterday varied from two to four feet at the height of the blow. We had planned to leave yesterday afternoon, but decided to leave early in the morning. Today, we left at 6:50 AM. The lake was fairly calm and the rain had passed on to the east. A strong northwest breeze is forecast for later today. Boat traffic on the east side of Bear Island is not heavy. There is plenty of open water for all to enjoy. 🎣 ⛵️ 🛥 🌊 🐻

2 to 4 foot swells? That seems really big, is this normal? :eek: Is that travel weather or is that too rough thus why you stayed?

[MAXUM]

East side - It can get a little rough at times but it's nothing like the broads side of Rattlesnake. Yesterday for example it got a little rough during the day - but 6:00 it was settled enough to take the run into shore with my smaller 14' boat. 99% of the time it's not bad and quite frankly the view is worth the occasional times where it can be a little rough. Boat traffic is not bad at all most of it is well off shore.

West side, not as rough from the wind, BUT there is a lot of traffic through there from boats so it's a bit of a trade off. Also the views are not quite as nice. One thing to keep in mind on the west side is anywhere near the NWZ at the BI post office is a pinch point where lots of boats coming on and off plane makes it rough, same can be said down near cattle landing where there is another bit of a pinch point.

Either way you go it's not that bad and manageable. Like anything it's just a matter of getting used to where you end up.

[MAXUM]

2 to 4 foot swells? That seems really big, is this normal?

No that's unusual for it to be that bad, the wind was blowing hard from the east which is opposite the prevailing wind. The one thing to keep in mind is that usually even on a windy day, by late afternoon it'll lighten up and things will settle down. Keep in mind there was a cold front that came through which tends to kick the wind up similar to when thunderstorms blow through.

[RyanDe]

Great. How's the sun on the east side? Is it mostly morning sun and shade in the afternoon?

Anyone on bear familiar with this place and location on the island?

http://www.nancydeporter.com/listing/4495863/143-bear-island-meredith-nh-03253/

[MAXUM]

Great location, killer views, and the listing agent is the best in the business. Sent you a PM with more details.

[RyanDe]

Also, while I'm on Bear how's the guest parking situation?

[Barney Bear]

The property in question, located on the southeast side of Bear Island, enjoys a great view of the Ossipee and Sandwich mountain ranges, and a view of Mt. Washington over the distant "saddle" in one of these ranges. The open space adjacent to this location is locally called the Mayo Green. The shore front is somewhat protected from the south by the point and breakwater, and less so by the distant point to the north. The present owner has been been a member of the East Bear community for many years. 🐻

[Bear Islander]

We are on the northern tip of Bear. Very windy today but nothing that would stop me from going out in the boat. We have a slip at Shep Browns that is a short trip. Parking on summer weekends can be a problem but you can always find a space up the hill and walk down.

That house on 143 Bear has great views but will be a longer trip from a marina. The west side of the island is more protected and easier to access but it doesn't have the views.

The stores in Center Harbor are a nice run by boat.

The island has a lot of history and miles of private trails to walk or run on. We have a moose and lots of dear this summer.

[Barney Bear]

We have several dears at our place on East Bear Island, particularly Mama Bear. 🐻

[codeman671]

From where that one is located you would be better off heading down the shoreline towards Mink and Mark then coming around the south end of bear and back up around.

It is fairly protected going that way. If you are coming out of sheps it's a much easier ride, and really not bad crossing to gilford where there are a lot more docking options.