Gouldsboro is a town in Hancock County, incorporated on February 16, 1789 from Gouldsboro Plantation. It annexed land from township, later plantation, number 7 (1845, 1870, 1905) and set off land to form Winter Harbor in 1895.

Settled in 1700, the town occupies the upper portion of a peninsula stretching from Frenchman's Bay on the west to West Bay and Gouldsboro Bay on the east. Its harbors, such as Birch, Prospect and tiny Corea, offer welcome protection to coastal vessels.

Gouldsboro hosts two nature preserves. The Forest Pond Marsh sanctuary, managed by the town, is a resting and feeding area for migrating waterfowl as well as bald eagles, osprey and loons.

Long Porcupine Island is covered by a forest of mature spruce-fir and deciduous trees. The 125 acre island features sheer 100' cliffs, bald eagles, and other nesting birds. Difficult to penetrate due to the density of the forest and lack of trails, it is managed by the Nature Conservancy and is closed during nesting season.