10 Best Beaches in Maine: Coastal Stops You Need to Add to Your List
If you picture Maine and think lobster rolls and lighthouses, you're not wrong. But the state's coastline holds some of the best beaches in Maine, and most of them barely make it onto the typical New England road trip list.
Some of these stretches of sand you've probably driven right past without knowing what you were missing.
Key Takeaways
The best beaches in Maine run along the southern coast from Kittery up through Phippsburg, and each one has its own personality. You'll find lively boardwalk towns, quiet state park coves, and everything in between. Most beaches charge a small parking or entrance fee, and the water stays cool even in the middle of summer. Here's a quick look before you dive into the details.
Beach | Town | Best For | Key Detail |
Seapoint Beach | Kittery | Quiet mornings | Small lot, fills up fast |
York Beach | York | Families | Two beaches, one arcade strip |
Ogunquit Beach | Ogunquit | Scenic walks | Connects to the Marginal Way |
Wells Beach | Wells | Long walks | Miles of connected sand |
Kennebunk Beach | Kennebunkport | Charm and history | Near shops and dining |
Old Orchard Beach | Old Orchard Beach | Boardwalk energy | Amusement park on the sand |
Scarborough Beach State Park | Scarborough | Bird-watching | Marshland views |
Crescent Beach State Park | Cape Elizabeth | Swimming | Curved, calm shoreline |
Reid State Park | Georgetown | Solitude | Dunes and tide pools |
Popham Beach State Park | Phippsburg | Island views | Sandbar walk at low tide |
Quick Picker
Best for families: York Beach, Old Orchard Beach, Crescent Beach State Park
Best for charm and history: Kennebunk Beach, Ogunquit Beach
Best for solitude: Seapoint Beach, Reid State Park
Best for scenic walks and views: Popham Beach State Park, Scarborough Beach State Park
Wayback Tours helps you find and save spots like these so your next coastal trip practically plans itself.
What Makes Maine Beaches Different From Other East Coast Beaches
Maine beaches don't act like the wide, warm beaches you'll find further south. The water here rarely climbs out of the 60s, even in July and August, and the coastline tends to be rockier and more dramatic than the flat sand you'd find along parts of the East Coast.
That's part of the appeal. You get sweeping views, tide pools, and dune grass instead of packed boardwalks stretching for miles. If you're used to East Coast beaches further south, Maine's version feels a little wilder and a lot less crowded on an average weekday.
Most Maine beaches are also small compared to their southern counterparts, which means they fill up fast on sunny summer weekends. Getting there early isn't just a suggestion, it's basically required if you want a decent parking spot.
Fun Fact:
Maine's coastline is often said to stretch for thousands of miles once you count every inlet, cove, and peninsula, even though the state itself isn't especially wide.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Maine's Beaches
Late June through early September is when most people head to the coast, and for good reason. The water finally warms up enough to swim comfortably, and most beach facilities, snack shacks, and lifeguard stands are open.
September is a personal favorite for a lot of locals. The crowds thin out, the weather is still mild, and you can actually find parking without circling the lot three times.
If you're building out a bigger New England itinerary, an East Coast road trip through Maine works well from late spring through early fall. Just know that the water stays chilly no matter when you go. For a broader look at timing your trip around the region, this East Coast road trip guide breaks down the best windows season by season.
The 10 Best Beaches in Maine
These are presented in geographic order, starting in the south near Kittery and working north up the coast toward Phippsburg. That way, if you're road-tripping Maine's coastline, you can hit them in order without doubling back.
Seapoint Beach, Kittery
Tucked away from the main tourist strip, Seapoint Beach feels like a beach the locals would rather keep to themselves. It's small, it's quiet, and it doesn't have the crowds you'll find just a few miles up the coast.
What makes this stop different is the setting. Seapoint sits between two coves with rocky outcrops on either side, and low tide opens up a sandbar you can walk out on. It's the kind of place where you bring a book and don't check your phone for a few hours.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: Off Route 103 in Kittery
Parking: Small lot, no fee, but it fills early
Facilities: None, so bring your own supplies
Time needed: 1 to 2 hours
Worth it or skip it? Worth it if you want a peaceful morning away from the crowds, especially with an early start.
Want to remember this spot for later?
⭐ What is a Bucket List? Save places you want to visit and come back to later. Your Wayback Tours bucket list keeps track of stops you don't want to forget, perfect for planning future trips.
York Beach
York Beach is really two beaches, Short Sands and Long Sands, connected by a walkable strip of shops, arcades, and ice cream stands. It's the kind of beach town that feels lifted straight out of a summer postcard.
Why it's worth stopping here comes down to variety. Short Sands has a lively, boardwalk-adjacent feel with games and food right off the sand, while Long Sands stretches out for a quieter, more traditional beach day. Kids tend to love the arcade strip, and parents tend to love that everything is walkable.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: York, along Route 1A
Parking: Metered lots and street parking
Facilities: Restrooms, food vendors, shops nearby
Time needed: Half a day or more
Worth it or skip it? Worth it for families who want a beach day that includes more than just the beach.
Save this to your bucket list so you don't forget
Ogunquit Beach
Ogunquit Beach is one of the most photographed stretches of sand in the state, and it earns the attention. Soft, wide sand runs for a few miles, backed by dunes and framed by the famous Marginal Way cliff walk just around the bend.
The quick pitch is simple: this is the beach to pick if you want scenery along with your sand. Walk the cliffside path before or after your swim, grab something from the shops in town, and you've got a full day without ever getting in a car.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: Ogunquit, off Beach Street
Parking: Paid lots, fills quickly in summer
Facilities: Restrooms, food nearby, footbridge access
Time needed: Half a day to a full day
Worth it or skip it? Worth it, and honestly one of the best all-around beach days in southern Maine.
Don't let this one get away
Wells Beach
Wells Beach connects to a longer stretch of sand that includes Moody Beach and Drake's Island Beach, giving you miles of walkable coastline without a lot of interruption. It's quieter than Ogunquit but still has enough nearby shops and restaurants to keep you fed and entertained.
Don't skip this if you like long, uninterrupted beach walks. The dune grass and low-key vibe make it feel more residential and relaxed than some of the busier towns nearby.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: Wells, off Route 1
Parking: Paid lots near the main beach entrances
Facilities: Restrooms, seasonal food stands
Time needed: 2 to 4 hours
Worth it or skip it? Worth it if you want beach time without the boardwalk crowds.
Add this to your list before you forget where you saw it
Kennebunk Beach
Kennebunk and its neighbor Kennebunkport are known for charm as much as sand, and Kennebunk Beach fits right into that reputation. The beach itself is broken into a few smaller sections, each with a slightly different feel.
Why this one stands out is the setting around it. You're a short drive from historic streets, well-loved restaurants, and some of the best shopping in the region. It's an easy pairing of beach day and town day in one trip.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: Kennebunk, off Beach Avenue
Parking: Seasonal parking permits required
Facilities: Limited, mostly street-side
Time needed: 2 to 3 hours, plus time in town
Worth it or skip it? Worth it if you want to combine a beach stop with a walk through one of Maine's most charming towns. For more towns like this along the coast, these East Coast beach towns are worth a look.
Save this one for your next trip north
Old Orchard Beach
Old Orchard Beach is the loud, fun cousin in this lineup. Seven miles of sand meet an actual amusement park right on the beach, complete with a pier, arcade games, and a boardwalk buzzing with activity.
The quick pitch: if you want energy, this is where you'll find it. Old Orchard Beach has drawn visitors for generations, and it's widely considered one of the liveliest beach towns in the state. It's not the spot for peace and quiet, but it's a lot of fun if that's what you're after.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: Old Orchard Beach, downtown area
Parking: Paid lots and metered street parking
Facilities: Full amenities, food, arcade, pier
Time needed: Half a day or more
Worth it or skip it? Worth it for families and anyone who wants a beach day with a little more chaos built in.
Your bucket list is missing this one
Scarborough Beach State Park
Scarborough Beach State Park sits in an easygoing beach town known for wide open coastline and quiet stretches of shore. It's less about crowds and more about space to breathe.
What makes this stop different is the mix of sandy beach and saltwater marsh nearby, which makes it a solid pick for bird-watching along with your usual beach activities. Swimming conditions here also tend to be some of the more comfortable in the area during summer.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: Scarborough, off Route 207
Parking: Small fee for entry
Facilities: Restrooms, lifeguard areas in season
Time needed: 2 to 4 hours
Worth it or skip it? Worth it if you like your beach days a little quieter with room to spread out.
Don't lose track of this stop
Crescent Beach State Park, Cape Elizabeth
Cape Elizabeth stretches out into the Atlantic and forms the entrance to Casco Bay, and Crescent Beach State Park is the reward at the end of that headland. The curved, mile-long beach is a favorite for families thanks to its calmer swimming conditions.
Why it's worth stopping here goes beyond the sand. You can search tide pools for hermit crabs, spend the afternoon swimming, and swing by nearby Portland Head Light, one of Maine's oldest lighthouses, before you leave the area.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: Cape Elizabeth, off Route 77
Parking: Small entrance fee
Facilities: Restrooms, picnic areas
Time needed: Half a day
Worth it or skip it? Worth it, especially if you're traveling with kids who'll enjoy the tide pools as much as the swimming.
Add it to your bucket list before you head out
Reid State Park, Georgetown
Reid State Park feels like a step away from the more populated southern beaches. Rock formations, tidal pools, and a stretch of dunes give it a wilder, more untouched feeling than a lot of the other stops on this list.
Don't skip this if you like quiet coastline and a bit of exploring. This is widely considered one of the more tranquil beach parks in the state, and it's a good pick if you're trying to escape the busier summer crowds.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: Georgetown, off Route 127
Parking: Small entrance fee
Facilities: Restrooms, changing areas
Time needed: Half a day
Worth it or skip it? Worth it for anyone who wants scenery over crowds.
Save this quiet stop before it slips your mind
Popham Beach State Park, Phippsburg
Popham Beach State Park wraps up this list at the northern end, and it might be the most scenic stop on the entire route. Long sand stretches, sweeping views of nearby islands, and a sandbar that appears at low tide make this one worth timing your visit around.
The quick pitch: check the tide schedule before you go. At low tide, you can walk out toward Fox Island, which is one of the more memorable things you can do at any beach in the state. High tide covers that sandbar completely, so timing really does matter here.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: Phippsburg, off Route 209
Parking: Small entrance fee, fills early in summer
Facilities: Restrooms, changing areas
Time needed: Half a day
Worth it or skip it? Worth it, and arguably the best finish to a southern Maine beach tour.
This one's worth saving before you plan your route
Family-Friendly vs. Quiet Beaches: How to Choose
Not every beach on this list fits every trip. If you're traveling with kids, you'll want somewhere with lifeguards, restrooms, and something to do besides swim. If you're after a quiet reset, you want the opposite.
For families, York Beach, Old Orchard Beach, and Crescent Beach State Park all have the amenities and activity level to keep everyone entertained for a full day.
For solitude, Seapoint Beach and Reid State Park both trade amenities for peace and quiet, which is exactly the point.
If you're planning a longer trip and want more family-focused stops along the way, this East Coast family resort guide has additional ideas worth pairing with your beach days.
What to Pack and Know Before You Go
Maine beach days require a little more planning than a typical beach trip further south. The water is genuinely cold, the weather can shift fast, and a lot of these beaches charge small parking or entrance fees.
Bring layers, even in summer, since coastal weather changes quickly
Pack water shoes if you're planning to explore rocky areas or tide pools
Check tide schedules before visiting Popham Beach or any sandbar-dependent stop
Bring cash or a card for parking fees, since not every lot takes both
Arrive early on weekends, since small lots fill up fast
Building a bigger trip around this coastline? Wayback Tours makes it easy to save every stop along the way and build out a full itinerary before you ever hit the road.
If you're extending your trip beyond the beaches themselves, Maine's coast also connects well to inland stops. Places like Maine's lake vacation spots make a nice detour if you want a mix of saltwater and freshwater on the same trip.
Fun Fact:
Maine's nickname, Vacationland, is said to date back nearly a century, long before the state's beaches became a summer staple for New England travelers.
Ready to start planning your own coastal route? Wayback Tours makes it simple to map out stops, save favorites, and build the trip as you go.
Conclusion
The best beaches in Maine aren't all about wide sand and warm water. They're about tide pools, quiet coves, lively boardwalks, and everything in between, and that variety is exactly what makes this coastline worth exploring one stop at a time.
Save these stops, build your own road trip bucket list, and keep track of every place you want to visit, all in one place with Wayback Tours.
FAQs
Is the ocean water warm in Maine during summer?
Not really. Even in July and August, water temperatures usually stay in the 60s, so most swimmers describe it as brisk rather than warm.
Do Maine beaches charge for parking?
Most do, though the fee is usually small, often a flat rate or a few dollars per hour depending on the location.
Are dogs allowed on Maine beaches?
It depends on the beach and the season, with many locations restricting dogs during peak summer hours but allowing them in early morning or off-season visits.
What's the best month to visit Maine beaches?
Late June through August is peak season, but many locals prefer September for warmer weather with smaller crowds.
Can you camp near Maine's beaches?
Yes, several state parks along this list, including Reid State Park, have nearby camping options, and there are also private campgrounds throughout the southern coast.
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