Beaches in Maine have always been a popular summer destination in New England , given their close proximity and easy accessibility. Some beach towns have capitalized on this, building large resorts and hotels, while others prefer to remain as they have been for decades, small towns with small town charm.
Biddeford Pool Beach
Unlike many other beach town destinations, Biddeford Pool Beach has managed to withstand the modern chain hotel takeover, ensuring that their small town destination still feels like home.
Biddeford Pool Beach in Maine is home to year-round residents, and as a beachfront village it wraps around Biddeford with beach and small-town charm.
Biddeford Pool Beach is in no way a resort destination, so visitors to this location shouldn’t expect lavish bars, towel boys, and the like.
Instead they should come prepared for 1950’s American charm, small mom and pop stores, and the joy of walking, biking, and swimming the summer away. Biddeford Pool Beach Map
Birch Point Beach State Park
Situated away from mainstream traffic and crowds, Birch Point Beach State Park is pleasantly tucked away along Maine’s middle coastal region, just south of Ash Point.
Guests who take the time to find this hidden gem will be well rewarded with sweeping oceanfront vistas, a crescent-shaped oceanfront beach centered between a pair of extremely rocky areas, and unrivaled glimpses of the various islands alongside Penobscot Bay.
Unfortunately Birch Point Beach State Park is for day use only, so don’t bother packing overnight gear, but day use offers pleasantly chilly water, prime fishing spots, and a quiet beach to relax on. Birch Point Beach State Park Map
Cleaves Cove Beach, Maine
Visitors to any of Maine’s legendary beaches know to expect a variety of different circumstances, whether that be a lack of facilities and lifeguards, or an overcrowding at popular destinations. Cleaves Cove Beach is no exception. It is located a short trip down the road from the Bush Estate, and isn’t that well known or visited since it has little to no sand during high tide. Parking is extremely limited at this beach, which is a plus, since those who bike or walk to it will enjoy a far less busy beach than the surrounding spots.
There are no lifeguards, public services, or any facilities at this beach so be sure to come prepared.
Colony Beach
Bufflehead Cove, in Kennebunk, Maine, is a rather popular summer destination for summer tourists and locals alike. Because of this the beaches nearest the local inn are often overrun with tourists, screaming children, and summer activities. For those visitors who are looking for something a little less crowded and noisy, they should head down the road to Colony Beach.
It is a small and often overlooked destination beach that is defined by the harbor’s eastern jetty, and because of this parking is typically easy to procure.
Don’t expect any facilities at this beach, however, as only the most popular beaches tend to offer bathroom and lifeguarding services. Colony Beach Map
Crescent Beach State Park
When tourists think of Maine beaches, they typically imagine large oceanfront swathes of sand, saltwater coves, and possibly wooded areas nearby. All of these, and more, can be found at Crescent Beach State Park, which originally opened to the public in 1966 and is located a short eight miles south of Portland, Maine.
Guests to Crescent Beach can expect sand dunes to explore, crisp ocean breezes, picnic areas, swimming opportunities, and plenty of fishing boats to watch during the day. During the offseason this park is closed to vehicles, so plans should be made accordingly when visiting during the colder months. Crescent Beach State Park Map
Drake's Island Beach, Maine
Wells, Maine, is a beloved tourists destination during the summer time, and because of this the surrounding beaches often fill with ocean lovers during the warmer months. One such beach is Drake's Island Beach, which is located at the end of Drakes Island Road.
This beach has a parking lot available for guests willing to pay the small fee, but offers its beach without any entrance fee. There are lifeguards, public restrooms, and during the warmer months a local ice cream truck often stops by to sell ice cream to beach goers. Drake’s Island Beach is comprised of soft, white sand, and is the second largest of Wells’ three listed public beaches. Drake's Island Beach Map
Ferry Beach State Park
Contained within a preserved 100-acre area, Ferry Beach State Park has more to offer to visitors than just swimming and beach exploring. It is located near to Old Orchard Beach and Camp Ellis, and features a small grove of tupelo trees, more commonly known as black gum trees, which are rare at that latitude.
From Ferry Beach State Park guests can see for miles, both ocean views and views of sweeping white sand beaches. There is a picnic area, nature trails to explore, a changing room available, and even occasional guided nature programs on a rotating schedule. Ferry Beach State Park Map
Footbridge Beach, Maine
Praised by locals and tourists alike for being a smaller, quieter beach along the coast of Maine, Footbridge Beach is just a mile north of Ogunquit town center. During the peak of the season parking fees should be anticipated, sometimes costing $20 or more, and be warned that once leaving the lot cars cannot re enter without paying the fee again.
The beach is accessed by crossing a wooden footbridge, hence the name, which spans a section of the Ogunquit River. This beach offers basic restroom facilities as well as a trained lifeguard during the entire season, and the sand is praised for being soft and clean with a low percentage of shells and rocks. Footbridge Beach Map
Fortune’s Rocks Beach
Situated in Biddeford, Fortune’s Rocks Beach entails a two-mile long expanse of soft, sandy beach that spans between Biddeford Pool and Fortunes Rocks. Given that the beach covers two miles, there is plenty of space for guests to spread out, relax, and swim without feeling crowded.
There is limited parking located at both the south and north ends of the beach, and although there is a lifeguard on duty there are unfortunately no other services provided. Given this beaches location along Maine’s coast it is often a destination for watersport lovers, so be prepared to share the water with surfers, bodyboarders, skimboarders, and even surf kayakers. Fortune’s Rocks Beach Map
Gooch's Beach, Maine
Often referred to as Kennebunk Beach, Gooch's Beach is an extremely popular summer destination for tourists, given its close proximity to town and parking accessibility. It is recommended to arrive earlier in the day to this beach in order to secure a paid parking spot, or if guests are arriving later in the day they may want to park in town and walk or bike. This beach is popular with morning joggers because of the long stretches of clean sand, the sand also offers ample opportunity for sunning and sandcastle building.
Guests to this beach will enjoy being safe while swimming thanks to a lifeguard and can use the onsite portable toilets at their leisure. Gooch's Beach Map
Goose Rocks Beach
Goose Rocks Beach is, without a doubt, one of the Kennebunk regions most popular beaches, and is often considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the area. It is comprised of soft white sand, and offers plenty of room for visitors to roam and spread out.
The name for the beach comes from offshore rocks, aptly known as goose rocks, that protect this beach from rough sea conditions and tend to ensure pleasant swimming. Fishing is also quite popular during the summer months, the key fish to set bait for is striped bass during the summer months. This beach offers no lifeguard services and has very limited parking, but even with these downfalls it is more than worth a visit. Goose Rocks Beach Map
Harbor Beach, Maine
Harbor Beach is extremely family friendly, and its local nickname--Mothers’ Beach--comes from its child-friendly atmosphere and facilities, considered to be ideal for toddlers and young children. This beach doesn’t have a ton of available parking, but there is a trolley which stops here which is a huge perk. Harbor Beach is bordered by Hartley Mason Park, which provides shade thanks to all the trees, and has benches situated within the shade.
There is handicap access to public restrooms, an outdoor shower for patrons to wash saltwater and sand from themselves with, and shops as well as food all within walking distance to the beach.
Harbor Beach, 1 Stonewall Lane, York, Maine 03909
Higgins Beach
Higgins Beach proper, and the accompanying town, work in conjunction to make vactationing in Maine during the summer time an easily accomplished feat. Higgins Beach has all the key ingredients for the ideal beach vacation, places to stay, plenty of activities, and family friendly destinations. Some of the activities patrons can expect while visiting Higgins Beach include kayaking, surfing, sand dollar treasure hunting, sunrise beach strolls, sunbathing, swimming, and more. Parking is limited but available on a first come, first served basis, and there are restaurants and shops within close proximity to Higgins Beach.
Little Hunters Beach Acadia National Park
Located on the southeast side of Mount Desert Island, which is the beautiful Acadia National Park, Little Hunters Beach is a secluded spot that is sought after by painters, rock collectors, and people seeking peace and quiet. It is hidden from view of the road and accessed by a stairway that takes guests down to beach level.
This beach isn’t covered in sand, but rather in pebbles that have been rounded and smoothed over thousands of years by ocean currents. There is no lifeguard present at this beach, nor are there any facilities, but guests probably wouldn’t find swimming here too enjoyable anyway given that water temperatures hardly ever exceed 55 degrees fahrenheit.
Long Sands Beach
White sand, great surf, and two miles of scenic oceanside await visitors at Long Sands Beach, which is aptly named for the experience it provides. Long Sands Beach is extremely popular during peak beach season, but even during Maine’s off-season visitors can still be seen enjoying the sands while surfers shred the waves. It is conveniently situated within a short walking distance to hotels, cottages, resorts, restaurants, shops, and more. Guests can stock up for a picnic lunch at a nearby convenience store, and even rent floats and beach umbrellas right from shops on the sand.
