Isles of Shoals in Haunted New Hampshire

What are the Isles of Shoals?
Located around 7 miles off the coast of New England, the Isles of Shoals is a group of nine islands that straddle the borders of Maine and New Hampshire. Reachable by ferry, the group of islands were settled as a fishing port 400 years ago, and have been known as a famous summer getaway for almost 200 years. Cooled by ocean breezes, these small islands feel like the ends of the Earth. Authors and artists visiting the area have included Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and William Morris Hunt.

Are the Isles of Shoals Haunted?
Built in the 1800s, the Oceanic Hotel on Star Island is a charming getaway and retreat center where one can sit in a rocking chair on the seaside front porch and let stress melt into the waves. Unless you go up to the fourth floor, where you might hear people rummaging through drawers. Or maybe moving the furniture around. This wouldn’t be so strange in a hotel, probably, except the fourth floor is an empty attic space. On Smuttynose Island, you may encounter the ghost of Louis Wagner, keening with remorse over the two women he murdered in 1873. The Smuttynose Murders remain one of the most mysterious and grisly murders in New England history. Keep your eye out for the phantom ship Isidore, which wrecked in 1842. Be quick, though, legend has it the ship can only be seen for a moment before it disappears again. Or it may be be phantom wreck off Smuttynose that you spot, which took 14 men down with it in 1813. On the tiny Lunging Island, you may spot the ghost of one of Blackbeard’s wives, known as the Lady Ghost of the Isles of Shoals, predicting that “he will return.” Or you may spot the ghost of Blackbeard himself, who may be guarding his treasure.