This past week and a half delivered nice, hot, humid weather to the Lakes Region. The beaches were full with lots of boating activities on Lake Winnipesaukee, and I thought I would turn my attention to the islands on the “Big Lake.”
The Fascinating Scope of Lake Winnipesaukee’s Islands
What makes Winnipesaukee’s 72 square miles of immense beauty so interesting is the scope of its islands. How many islands are dotted on New Hampshire’s largest lake is a matter of debate. One source states there are 253; another says there are 274. The disparity is due to the uncertain criteria for differentiating an island from a large rock such as Becky’s Garden, which is about 10’ wide.
There are six islands connected to the mainland by bridges:
Long Island
Governors Island
Black Cat Island
Oak Island
Worcester Island
Christmas Island
The largest island is Long Island at 1,186 acres followed by:
Bear Island: 780 acres
Cow Island: 522 acres
Governors Island: 504 acres
Rattlesnake: 368 acres
Welch: 187 acres
Little Bear: 143 acres
Stonedam: 141 acres
Timber: 136 acres
Sleepers: 113 acres
Mark: 102 acres
There are approximately 226 islands with less than 10 acres.
The Rich History of Winnipesaukee Islands
When you look at how these islands have transitioned from their early years and how their rich history has changed, it leaves us all to wonder. For example, Bear Island, so named by Native American and explores who were shocked to come face to face with four ornery bears during a surveying expedition in early 1772, has transformed from its roots as an austere farming community to a seasonal vacation haven complete with a post office, summer camps, a church, and 192 seasonal homes. Some families have been on the island for multiple generations. Cow Island likewise has a colorful history, having served as home to the first herd of Guernsey Cattle imported to America, as the site of a wind-powered Grist Mill, and as the home to Camp Idlewild, the longest continuously running private boys camp in the United States, which operated from 1891 until 1975. The Guernsey Cows were brought out to the island in 1831, and at one time, there was a herd of 40 Guernseys. Even Bob Montana, who was the brainchild behind the Archie Comic Strips, spent the summer on the island putting together his comic strips. Today, there are approximately 133 seasonal residences on Cow Island.
Gilford Island Life: No Cars, Just Tranquility
According to Heidi Kephart of Roche Realty Group, Inc. and Treasurer of the Gilford Island Association:
“There are 240 seasonal homes within the Gilford Islands comprising 19 unbridged islands. The best part of island living is that there are no cars. Once you step onto your boat and head to the island, the rest of the world goes away.”
It’s hard to say how many island residences have been constructed over the years. I know there are 66 homes on Welch, 30 on Lockes, 57 on Barndoor, 66 on Black Cat, 21 on Diamond, and one individual estimated there are 826 residences on 206 non-bridged islands.
Island Living on Lake Winnipesaukee
Island living on Lake Winnipesaukee is a magical experience with cool breezes, gorgeous views, and a sense of escaping everyday life. Whether you’re soaking in a red sunset or watching the sunrise, the island lifestyle creates lifelong memories.
What resonates most… the sense of being on a mini-vacation, just far enough away to make even simple obligations fade from the back of our minds.
My personal interest in Lake Winnipesaukee island properties commenced in 1977, a year after I started in real estate. During that year, I listed the stone castle on Sleepers Island, which was built in the early 1900s. William Hale constructed the castle after having been to Europe and seeing castles along the Rhine. The craftsmen who built the castle were the same as those who built the Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough. The property also had a barn that housed horses. I remember the barn was in pretty tough shape; however, the stone castle with its five fireplaces was a unique property. John Brady owned it at the time. I listed the property for $74,000 and put together a black and white marketing brochure with the heading “Who wants to be king?” Needless to say, it generated lots of interest, and my old steel craft boat shuttled many clients back and forth to view the property.
Over the years, I would sell many island properties, but one day John Goodhue took Nancy Clark and me over to Windswept Island in Tuftonboro. A close friend of his was thinking of selling the adorable wood shake cabin once owned by Bob Montana, who created and wrote the “Archie” comics. It was said that many of his comic strips were created in the one-room, whimsical cottage with a stone fireplace. I loved the tiny island with blueberry bushes surrounded entirely by crystal clear water, looking over the entire broads and Belknap Range with westerly breezes and blazing sunsets and sunrises.
That day put the bug in Nancy and my ears to locate an island property, and after scouting around for a month, we found a small camp on Welch Island, which has become a family treasure for 26 years. The constant cool breezes, lapping along the shore, and the gorgeous views are wonderful, but what resonates most…the sense of being on a mini-vacation, often just for a night, just far enough away to make even simple obligations fade from the back of our minds. All of the kids and grandkids have lasting memories of what it’s like to live on an island…it’s an idyllic lakefront experience.
What to Expect: The Realities of Island Ownership
Living on a Lake Winnipesaukee island requires planning and logistics,:
Use is generally limited to late summer through fall
Boats replace cars; transportation and trash removal must be managed
Most properties rely on lake water for showers and cooking
Drinking water is brought from the mainland
Peace, views, and privacy are unmatched with large undeveloped centers of the island providing an ideal environment for hiking and exploring are definite pluses
Larger islands may include:
Underwater electrical and phone service
Common parking/launch areas on the mainland
Access to town facilities like in Gilford
Here’s a comparison of island property sales on Lake Winnipesaukee during the past two years:
1/1/2023 – 12/31/2023 (12 months closed sales)
19 island waterfront sales, average sales price: $958,883, median sales price: $699,000, median days on market: 9, lowest sales price: $410,000, highest: $2,500,000, total volume: $18,218,791
1/1/2024 – 12/31/2024 (12 months closed sales)
19 island waterfront sales, average sales price: $906,257, median sales price: $865,000, median days on market: 12, lowest sales price: $387,000, highest: $1,525,000, total volume: $17,218,900
1/1/2025 – 7/30/2025 (7 months closed sales)
4 island waterfront sales, average sales price: $720,000, median sales price: $712,000, median days on market: 11, lowest sales price: $525,000, highest: $980,000, total volume: $2,880,000
Active Island Waterfronts for Sale (as of 7/300/2025)
7 for sale, average price: $1,420,285, median price: $799,000, median days: 79, lowest price: $695,000, highest: $3,600,000, total listed: $9,942,000
This article was written by Frank Roche. Frank is president of Roche Realty Group located in Meredith and can be reached at (603) 279-7046. Sales Data was pulled from PrimeMLS and is subject to change. Please feel free to visit www.rocherealty.com to learn more about the Lakes Region and its real estate market.
Dreaming of Island Life? Here’s Where to Begin
Did this article put a bug in your ear about island living? Whether you’re picturing a cozy island cabin or a year-round lakeside retreat, here’s a helpful guide on where to start your search for the perfect lake property.
