Southern Maine is known for its miles of sandy beaches. Several communities have more than one beach and the town of Old Orchard Beach is named for its most notable feature – a seven-mile beach. The coastal towns and their beaches are listed from south to north.

 

NOTE: Most towns either do not allow dogs on the beaches, or have limited hours, such as before 10 AM and after 5 PM only, from mid-June to mid-September. Check with individual towns as to the rules. Never leave your animal unattended in a car.

 
Mermaid sculpture, Moody Beach

Kittery
Crescent Beach and Sea Point Beach are located just a few miles south of York Harbor and are each about 1/3-mile long. Parking is by permit for residents only. Leashed dogs belonging to Kittery residents only are allowed on both beaches, before 10 AM and after 5 PM from mid-June to mid-September. Neither beach offers facilities. FMI call Kittery Town Hall at 207-439-0452.


Fort Foster Park, located on Gerrish Island (connected to the mainland), has several beach/swimming areas, picnic spots and bathroom facilities. The 88-acre park has roads and pathways for biking and hiking, and there are military structures and batteries dating back to the late 1800s.


There is a park entry fee of $10 per vehicle that includes all passengers for a full day. Bicyclists, pedestrians and seniors are $5. Children under 12 are $1. Season passes are available for town residents at $20 per household; senior resident passes are $5; season passes for nonresidents are $60. Walk or bike in, adults $5 each, children $1.


Dogs permitted during all open hours, but they must be leashed. Dog waste must be picked up and carried out, as is all waste material. Exception: Dogs are prohibited from the east side of Pier Beach; watch for signs. FMI 207-439-0452.

 

York

The beaches of York include Short Sands, Long Sands and Harbor beaches.
Long Sands Beach allows surfing in designated areas, is handicap accessible, has lifeguards, restrooms and float and beach umbrella rentals. Food and beverages are available near Short Sands and Long Sands beaches.

A parking sticker is required for Harbor Beach from May 15 to October 15 (available to residents at the Town Hall for $40 or $20 for seniors). Short and Long Sands beaches use parking meters from 8 AM to 9 PM, at $1 per hour.
Dogs are permitted on the beach before 8 AM and after 6 PM, but they must be leashed at all times. There are no facilities at Short Sands or Harbor beaches. FMI 207-363-1000.

 

 
Ogunquit Beach

Ogunquit
One of southern Maine’s most popular beaches, Ogunquit Beach is a three-mile sand bar of beach and dunes bordered by the Ogunquit River and the Atlantic Ocean. Food and beverages are available adjacent to the main beach parking lot.

 

The beach has multiple parking areas; rates and schedules differ. Perkins Cove and Cottage Street are hourly, the others, daily.
Dogs are prohibited from the beach from April 1 to September 30. Main Beach has restrooms, lifeguards and excellent places to surf. FMI 207-646-5139.


At Footbridge Beach, beach-goers walk over a historic footbridge to get to this less-crowded section of beach. There are restrooms and a snack bar. Lifeguards are on duty.

 

Wells
Wells Beach is a seven-mile barrier beach separated from the mainland by the Webhannet River. There are several sections of public beach, which is broad even at high tide. The 4000-yard-long beach is edged with sand dunes and sea grasses. Nearby salt marshes provide habitat for many shore birds and waterfowl.
The town provides several metered parking lots near this beach: one is at the end of Mile Road, and one is at the end of Atlantic Avenue near Wells Harbor (turn left at the end of Mile Road). At the Mile Road parking area, there are restrooms, a restaurant with a take-out window, a playground and a viewing area with benches.


There is an arcade, shops and other eateries nearby. Besides metered parking, there are several privately owned parking lots. Resident beach stickers are $35 and are sold at Wells Town Hall. FMI, call Town Hall at 646-5113 or the Chamber of Commerce at 646-2451. Dogs are not permitted on the beach from 8 AM to 6 PM through September 15. Dogs must be leashed at all times after 6 PM and under the charge of a responsible person.


Crescent Surf Beach is a fine white sand beach with salt marshes, located between Wells Beach and Moody Beach. There are tidal pools that are great for children, and seals can be spotted offshore on Bucklin Rock.
Parking is available on Gold Ribbon Drive, and the beach entrance is just beyond the parking area. Porta-potties are available. Parking is metered and is limited. The best time to go to Crescent Surf Beach is between high tides, since the beach is very narrow at high tide.


Drakes Island Beach is quieter than other Wells beaches because it’s away from the main beach and abuts a much smaller residential neighborhood. The northern end of the beach borders Laudholm Farm Beach and a Rachel Carson bird sanctuary.


Drakes Island Beach has plenty of metered parking, and rates are posted. Beach-goers may use coins, credit or debit cards or may purchase tokens from the town hall, Monday through Friday between 8 AM and 5 PM. The beach has bathroom and changing facilities, lifeguards on duty and allows dogs on the beach from April 1 to June 15. After June 15, no dogs are allowed on the beach from 8 AM to 6 PM.

 

 
Gooch's Beach, Kennebunk

Kennebunk

The Kennebunk beaches consist of one mile of sandy and pebble beaches that includes Gooch’s, Middle and Mother’s beaches. The longest stretch of sandy beach is Gooch’s. Public parking is available along Beach Avenue and side streets, as well as at a small lot at Mother’s Beach; however, all parking is by permit only from June 15 to September 15.


Beach parking permits can be obtained at Kennebunk Town Hall. Resident passes are free for first vehicle; $5 for second and $10 for the third; residents may purchase passes for guests at $25 each. Non-residents pay $25 a day, $100 a week, or $200 for the season.

 

Surfing is permitted at all of the three beaches. Dogs are not allowed on the beach from 9 AM to 5 PM from June 15 through Labor Day. All dogs must remain on leashes, and pooper-scooper laws are always in effect. FMI, www.kennebunkmaine.us or call Kennebunk Town Hall at 207-985-2102.

 

Kennebunkport

Goose Rocks Beach in Kennebunkport is located three miles east of Cape Porpoise off Route 9. Known for its secluded setting and warm, shallow tidal pools, Goose Rocks Beach is a well-kept secret among residents. Parking stickers are required for parking between 8 AM and 6 PM, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Stickers are sold at the Town Office from 8 AM to 4:30 PM. They are also available at the Police Department any time and at the Goose Rocks General Store. Cost for residents and taxpayers is $5, nonresidents is $15 per day, $50 per week and $100 for the season.


On-street parking is available on King’s Highway from 8 AM to 6 PM. Dogs are only permitted on the beach before 8 AM and after 6 PM from June 15 to September 15. Surfing is allowed, but there are no lifeguards on duty. FMI, www.kennebunkportme.gov or call the Kennebunkport Chamber of Commerce at 207-967-0857.

 
Fortunes Rocks Beach

Biddeford

Fortunes Rocks Beach, accessible from Route 208 (off Route 9) in the southern part of Biddeford, is about a half-mile of sandy beach. Lifeguards are on duty during the season, and porta-potties are available. Parking stickers, available at Biddeford City Hall, are required. Resident stickers are $25, first vehicle; $15, additional vehicles at the same address; $15 seniors 65 and older.. Non-resident stickers are $20 a day, $40 for 3 days, $65 for 7 days and $125 for the season. FMI 207-284-9307.


Biddeford Pool Beach is a two-mile sandy beach with gentle surf on the tidal basin side of Biddeford Pool, accessible from Route 208. A sticker, available at Biddeford City Hall, is required to park. After 5 PM, parking is free. The beach has a bathhouse, and lifeguards are on duty.


Hills Beach is more than 500 yards of beautiful sandy beach along Saco Bay facing Portland to the north. It’s located next to the University of New England on Hills Beach Road. Parking is very limited. In addition to swimming, this area is popular for bird watching. Dogs are allowed before 9 AM and after 8 PM.

 

Saco

Ferry Beach, part of Ferry Beach State Park, is located off Route 9 on Bayview Road between Old Orchard Beach and Camp Ellis in Saco.


The nearly mile-long beach continues to the north as Ocean Park Beach, then Old Orchard Beach, ending with Pine Point Beach in Scarborough. There are lifeguards on the beach late June to mid-September, 10 AM to 5 PM, daily. From May 15 to Labor Day no dogs permitted from 9 AM to 5 PM, and from dusk to dawn. Dogs are permitted on a leash from dawn to 9 AM and from 5 PM to dusk. There are restrooms and changing rooms. The 117-acre state park has wooded areas, nature trails, picnic tables and a play area. Admission is $5 per person for residents; $7 non-residents; children ages 5 to 11, $1; free for residents over 65 and children under 5, and $2 for non-resident seniors. Groups are $5 per person.

 

Old Orchard Beach

With seven miles of wide sandy beach, Old Orchard Beach is the longest in the state and one of the longest on the Atlantic coast. It is also one of Maine’s most popular recreational areas, with a large amusement park, arcade games, food vendors and plenty of nighttime entertainment as well.


The beach offers good surf and is wide enough for beach games. Lifeguards are on duty. Dogs are allowed on the beach before 10 AM and after 5 PM. Most of the beach utilizes parking meters. Parking is limited, however, and car-pooling for beach-goers is recommended. Across from the entrance to Palace Playland, there are bathrooms and changing facilities. FMI call 207-934-2500.

 

Surf’s Up!

 
Catching a wave at Kennebunk Beach

Surfing is an increasingly popular sport along Maine beaches. It is allowed at most times at most beaches but surfers are always asked to be considerate of those nearby enjoying other aquatic activities, such as swimming, kayaking and fishing, and to be aware of motor boating activity in the vicinity. Visitors should check with local surf shops to find the best, safest and most fun surfing areas.

 

Remember that Maine is known for its rockbound coast; even on the outskirts of wide sandy beaches, there can be rocky ledges just below the surface. Also, Maine water is cold, even in the summer. Wet suits are used by many Maine surfers year-round. Several Web sites include information about surfing in Maine (and elsewhere); www.surfline.com includes details about surfing sites along the New Hampshire and southern Maine coasts, and www.surfingmaine.com is a compendium of articles and pictures about surfing in Maine dating back to the mid-1960s.
 

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