Beaches
Maine's Beaches - South Coast Region
12 listings
Biddeford, ME
Fortune's Rocks Beach
Fortune's Rocks Road 207-284-9307This two-mile expanse of sandy beach in Biddeford, ME extends along the open ocean from Biddeford Pool to Fortunes Rocks, offering beach-goers lots of room to stretch out, relax, swim and play in the summer sun on a weekend getaway or a family vacation. Wave sports such as surfing, body boarding, and surf kayaking are popular here, and the hard-packed sand is great for walking and jogging. Lifeguards are on duty from late May to early September. There are no facilities at Fortunes Rocks Beach.
Parking: Limited parking is available at the south and north ends of the beach, accessed from Fortunes Rocks Road. Parking is by permit only, available from Biddeford City Hall, City Clerk’s office.
Saco, ME
Ferry Beach State Park
95 Bayview Road - ME Route 9 207-283-0067Ferry Beach State Park is located off Maine Route 9 on Bay View Road between Old Orchard Beach and Camp Ellis in Saco. This is a sweet little park with sandy beach for swimming. A picnic area, nature trails, guided nature programs, and changing room are available. Dogs are not allowed on the beach from April 1 to September 30. Park is open daily from Memorial Day to Columbus Day, 9am - Sunset. Visitors may enter the park in the off season by parking outside the gate and walking in. Note that facilities are closed during the off season. - Trail Maps
York, ME
Long Sands Beach
Route 1A 207-363-1040This wide sandy beach is 1.5 miles long. It is a big favorite for everyone from families to sun bathers to surfers. There are designated surfing areas. Views of the famous Nubble Lighthouse from the beach. Lots of food shacks, motels, beach stores and general stores are located in easy walking distance along Route 1A.
Facilities: Beach is handicap accessible with ramps. Public rest rooms are at the Bathhouse near Oceanside Avenue. Lifeguards are on duty from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Rentals of rafts and beach umbrellas. Trolley service.
Ogunquit, ME
Ogunquit Beaches
Beach Street 207-646-2939This long peninsula of sandy beach and grassy dunes stretches for three and a half miles, forming a barrier between the Atlantic Ocean from the Ogunquit River. Great for swimming and body surfing in the waves, sunbathing, or walking the wide sands, amid big ocean views. At the south end of the beach there is a large parking lot (fee charged), public restrooms, showers, and picnic tables. There is also a hotel, gift shops, snack bar and restaurants.
The midsection of Ogunquit Beach is known as Footbridge Beach, reached by a footbridge across the Ogunquit River. Lifeguards are on duty in-season. There is ample parking (fee charged), a boat ramp , and restrooms. The far end of Ogunquit Beach is called North Beach, where there is a large parking area (fee) and restrooms.
Kittery, ME
Fort Foster Beach
Pocahontas Road 207-439-2181Located on Gerrish Island in Kittery Point, Fort Foster offers three small but sandy beaches, an extensive trail system, rest rooms in season, picnic areas, and old military fortifications to explore, and a long pier. Park is handicapped accessible. Scuba diving and small non-motorized water craft allowed in designated area. Fires in grills and fire pits only.
Hours: Open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day, 10am - 8pm.
Dogs: Dogs allowed on leash; owners must pick up dog waste.
Kennebunk, ME
Kennebunk Beaches
Beach Avenue 207-967-0857There’s almost a mile of oceanfront at Maine's Kennebunk Beach, which includes three distinct beaches. All beaches require parking permits, which are available at Kennebunk Chamber of Commerce, Town Hall and Police Department.
Tucked into the rocks south of Lords Point is Mother’s Beach, a sandy pocket beach about 750 feet long. There’s a playground and restrooms; a lifeguard is on duty.
Just to the north is Middle Beach, quarter-mile of black pebbly beach. A sidewalk extends along the seawall.
Farther along is the main and most popular beach area called Gooch’s Beach. This is a crescent of fine sand more than 3,300 feet long. Lifeguards are on duty in summer and there are portable toilets nearby.
York, ME
Cape Neddick Beach (also call Passaconaway Beach)
U.S. Route 1A 207-363-1040Very small Maine beach when low tide exposes sandbar and tidal pools. Very limited parking, no facilities, and no shade.
Hours: Open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
Dogs: Between May 20 and September 20, no dogs are allowed on the beach from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dogs may be on the beach on a leash from 6 p.m. to sunrise. Dogs may be on the beach unleashed, but under voice control, from sunrise to 8 a.m. Between September 20 and May 20, dogs may be on the beach with owner, under voice control, with leash in hand.
York, ME
Harbor Beach (ME)
U.S. Route 1 207-363-1040Sheltered, sandy Maine beach nestled against rocky shoreline. Open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Limited parking, handicap accessible, walking trails, lifeguards, restrooms.
Between May 20 and September 20, no dogs are allowed on the beach from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dogs may be on the beach on a leash from 6 p.m. to sunrise. Dogs may be on the beach unleashed, but under voice control, from sunrise to 8 a.m. Between September 20 and May 20, dogs may be on the beach with owner, under voice control, with leash in hand.
Old Orchard Beach, ME
Old Orchard Beach
Grand Avenue (Route 9) 207-934-2500Old Orchard Beach is Maine’s most popular beach resort because of its 7-mile long continuous stretch of wide, sandy beach. The centerpiece of the beach is the Palace Playland amusement park, which hosts an arcade area. The Pier is a famous oceanfront icon since 1898 that extends nearly 500 feet out offshore. The beach is perfect for sunbathing, swimming and body surfing, and building sand castles. Lifeguards in season. Handicap accessible. Surfing is allowed at designated areas.
The streets of the town have a carnival atmosphere, with arcades, amusement rides, restaurants and food stands, hotels and motels, gift shops, clubs and The Pier. On the strip you can find food, souvenir shops, rides, festivals, fairs, free concerts, street dances and fireworks on most Thursday nights.
Facilities: Parking is available at street meters and several lots. There are public restrooms and showers just off the strip on West Grand Avenue.
York, MA
Short Sands Beach
Ocean Avenue (Route 1A) 207-363-1040Family-friendly, sandy, "pocket" beach. Limited shade. Summer evening concerts.
Facilities: Large metered parking area and private lots, restrooms, outside showers, and playground & basketball courts. Handicap accessible, lifeguards, shops & food within walking distance, benches along boardwalk.
Dogs: From May 20 to September 20, no dogs are allowed on the beach from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dogs may be on the beach on a leash from 6 p.m. to sunrise. Dogs may be on the beach unleashed, but under voice control, from sunrise to 8 a.m. Between September 20 and May 20, dogs may be on the beach with owner, under voice control, with leash in hand.
Kennebunkport, ME
Goose Rocks Beach
Kings Hwy. off Route 9 207-967-0857Goose Rocks Beach has nearly three miles of wide sandy beach. A barrier reef offshore known as Goose Rocks, visible at low tide, helps protect the soft, white sands of the beach. This beach has no lifeguard.
Parking: Parking permits are required (Kennebunk Beach permits cannot be used here) and are available at the Kennebunkport Police Department, Town Hall, Goose Rocks General Store and some accommodations.
Dogs: Dogs are allowed, but only before 8 a.m. and after 6 p.m. from June 15 to September 25. They are allowed on the beach all day the rest of the year. Leash and pick-up laws apply.
Wells, ME
Moody Beach
Ocean Avenue 207-646-2451Mile-long beach between Ogunquit and Wells, ME. Public parking at end of Ocean Avenue. Restrooms. Numerous access points for kayaks and boats. Bourne Avenue in Moody.