beaches close to Yarmouth (Portland, Brunswick: condominium, school, place to live)

[eastcoast3]

Hi
We are relocating to Yarmouth (end of June). I wanted to know where the best beaches are to bring my 3 children to this summer. (8,6 and 4yrs) I am looking for a beach that has bathrooms, lifeguards and a family atmosphere. I am also interested in a beach pass since it looks like that will be our "summer fun" while waiting for school to start. It can't be too far away since young kids and travel don't mix all that well (20 or so minutes would be perfect)
Thanks for your help!

[MRVphotog]

Originally Posted by eastcoast3

Hi
We are relocating to Yarmouth (end of June). I wanted to know where the best beaches are to bring my 3 children to this summer. (8,6 and 4yrs) I am looking for a beach that has bathrooms, lifeguards and a family atmosphere. I am also interested in a beach pass since it looks like that will be our "summer fun" while waiting for school to start. It can't be too far away since young kids and travel don't mix all that well (20 or so minutes would be perfect)
Thanks for your help!

Yarmouth is a great place to live but beach central, at least the ones your describing, it is not. When we lived in Cumberland, next town south, we swam at the Yarmouth public landing which is on the island side of Cousins Island Bridge, not much of a beach, no facilities or lifeguards and very cold water. It was very refreshing LOL.

BTW the water doesn't warm up for temps your probably thinking of until mid-July til maybe August. There are some nice beaches(several state/town parks) with the facilities your looking for south of Portland or north of Brunswick. About an hour from Yarmouth either way. They have bathrooms but I don't remember too many lifeguards

The kids(all born in Maine) hated swimming in the ocean so we went to one of several lakes in the area for the beach experience.

[zoe456]

I live in Yarmouth; although I don't have little ones (my condominium has a pool so I don't often seek out other areas for summer relief) I have heard from friends who do who have mentioned the following locations:

Freeport/Yarmouth/Falmouth area - within a 20 minute drive - go to: Wolfe's Neck State Park (Freeport) / Cousin's Island (Yarmouth) / Mackworth Island (Falmouth) - none to my knowledge have the amenities that you're looking for (lifeguards/restrooms). Perhaps you can research more specifically for the locations that pique your interest.

[Maineah]

There are few beaches with those criterion you list in Maine let alone within 20 minutes of Yarmouth. Life guarded beaches are few and far between. Rest rooms and changing fascilities are even harder to find. Maine is not Florida. As the other posters have mentioned ocean swimming is not all that popular as the water doesn't really warm up enough to be comfortable. Most folks take an occasional quick dip to cool off and call it good. You might look at the lakes in the area which usually do have lifeguards and changing areas. The lake water is much more tolerable and the lack of salty residue on your skin after swimming is nice too. Still within 20 minutes of Yarmouth your choices are limited. Wolf's Neck does not have a beach, Cousin's Island beach is stony coarse, small and tidal. Mackworth is OK but again small and has no amenities. The Outlet at Sabbath Day Lake is OK but it's 40 minutes from Yarmouth. Old Orchard, Popham, Reid State and Ferry are popular but again longer than you would want to drive unless making a day of it.

[mainegrl2011]

Thomas Point Beach, Brunswick--haven't seen any lifeguards there, but the bathrooms are knotty pine and absolutely gorgeous (seriously). The water is a bit warmer than open ocean...approx. 25 minutes from Yarmouth. You will probably need to serve as lifeguard for your children at most beaches in Maine. Sometimes there's a lifeguard at Sand Beach in Acadia National Park, but it'll take more than 20 minutes to get there from Yarmouth.

Thomas Point Beach On-Line