Beaches in Southern Maine (Portland, South Portland: amusement park, houses, to buy)

[smitch250]

Ive been trying to find a great beach for the summer. Last year we found Higgins beach in Scarborough, which we love. I know there are other great, remote(non old orchard like) beaches out there to be found. Large waves is a plus.

Any Sugestions?

[K-Luv]

Large waves?

I usually go to Ferry Beach in Saco. It is on southern stretch of beach that comprises Old Orchard, but there are no (or very little) tourists and it is generally more secluded than OOB.

The waves are fairly puny, though, unless there is a storm or high winds.

[lrfox]

Pine Point Beach in Scarborough (Same stretch as OOB, but much further away from the crowd) is nice. Also, Scarborough Beach (off of Black Point Road) has waves and is away from the masses. There's a "Ferry Beach" in Scarborough (almost across the street from Scarborough Beach) that is quiet, but there are NO waves.

[dubthang]

Willard and Kettle Cove are good hidden spots. Two Lights is nice if you just want to lay out on the rocks. Not much for large waves though.

[moughie]

Check out Crescent Beach State Park in Cape Elizabeth.

Perfect beach, excellent parking, great lunch snack stand, lifeguards to keep an eye on the children and, best of all, restroom and changing facilities, if you need them.

[PChase]

I'll echo what everyone else said and add that Fort Williams in Cape Elizabeth is a nice, small beach. I can't recall the waves exactly, but the rip tides are strong so be careful. There's a little bit to explore along the shore, too.

I'm not sure if we're allowed to post links. If not, do a google search on Fort Williams Cape Elizabeth.

[DreamworksSKG]

SOme other beaches you should check out include:

OGUNQUIT
Footbridge Beach – Beachgoers walk over footbridge to get to this less crowded section of beach. Snack bar and restrooms. Lifeguard patrolled.



Crescent Beach - Lesser-known section of beach located between Wells and Moody. Parking at Gold Ribbon Avenue lot, from Webhannet Drive. Lifeguards.

KENNEBUNK-KENNEBUNKPORT AREA

Gooch’s Beach– Largest part of Kennebunk Beach, along Beach Avenue, with talcum powder sand. Parking sticker required, available at Town Hall. No snack bar. Portable toilets. Lifeguards.

Colony Beach – At the mouth of the Kennebunk River lies this 150-foot beach. Limited parking. No lifeguard.

Cleaves Cove Beach – Secluded and scenic beach off Ocean Avenue. No parking. No facilities. No lifeguards.

Goose Rocks Beach – Very soft sand, great for walking. Scenic and beautiful. Parking sticker required or trolley access. No facilities or lifeguard.



BIDDERFORD/SACO

Biddeford Pool Beach – Two mile sandy beach with gentle surf. Sticker required from Biddeford Town Hall. Bathhouse and Lifeguard

Fortune’s Rocks Beach – Small sandy beach. Lifeguards. Parking Fee

Ferry Beach State Park - Sheltered from wind, natural sand dunes. Facilities, picnic area and nature trails.

SCARBOROUGH

Pine Point Beach - The northern section of Old Orchard Beach, crosses over into the town of Scarborough. This section of beach is very wide in all tides, quiet and offers a huge of public parking area for a reasonable fee.

Scarborough Beach State Park – Off Rt 207 a large stretch of sand on Prouts Neck.

Crescent Beach State Park – 8 miles south of Portland. 1-mile of beautiful sand.

Higgins Beach – Off Rt 77 a large stretch of sand with little parking.

FREEPORT

Freeport:
Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park - Wolfes Neck Road, Freeport.

BATH ME:

Try POPHAM BEACH STATE PARK -
Popham Beach State Park - 3- mile long expanse of sand at the mouth of the Kennebec River. Sandbar and tidal pools. Never crowded, often windy

Georgetown:

Reid State Park - 1.5 miles of sand in 3 distinct beach sections. Choose from surf to protected swimming areas great for small children

PEMAQUID BEACH //BRISTOL

Pemaquid Beach - Route 130, Pemaquid. Beautiful beach but often windy.

If so, go to the more secluded but pebbly beach down the road a piece. Pemaquid Beach is owned by the Town of Bristol and run by the Bristol Parks Commission.

Bar Harbor:

Sand Beach - Acadia National Park. Not a very large beach but with rock walls on two sides and a perfect southern exposure one of the most beautiful you will ever encounter - as long as you do not mind 50-degree water temperatures

You can get more info here
The Maine Beaches Association - Biddeford/Saco, Kennebunk & Kennebunkport, Ogunquit, Old Orchard Beach, Sanford, Springvale, Wells and The Yorks

Hills Beach in Biddeford is one of the local Maine beaches popular with the town's residents. It is located next to the University of New England. Since it is in a residential area, you will need to pay the town for a parking permit. Hills Beach is also a popular bird watching location.

Goose Rocks Beach. This Maine beach is devoid of amusement park rides, tee shirt shops or carnival games. However, you will find two pristine, crescent–shaped beaches with soft, silvery white sand. If you enjoy searching for sea shells, you can find silver dollar shells along the southern half of this Maine beach.

Maine Healthy Beaches

Andrews Beach in Cumberland County, Maine is a tremendous spot for getting out. Andrews Beach is not an enormously congested segment of coast, and it is a cool site for East End Beach is practically right here; you must pop by Shark Cove when you're here. Enjoy a lazy day on the beach
at West Shore Sandy Beach, and Mariner Ledge is a fine place to pop by. From Andrews Beach you obtain a brilliant panorama of Hunger Hill; while you're here you must stop by Andrews Nubble. LOCATION: LONG ISLAND
MAINE
(Take ferry to get to Long Island)

LUDHOLM BEACH WELLS ME
Laudholm and Drakes Island Beaches, Maine - Before and After Beach Nourishment - Figure 1

REID STATE PARK in GEORGETOWN
would be a good choice for quieter beaches

As well as Crescent Beach in Cape Elizabeth

The very best of our beaches | Portland Press Herald

Fort Foster, Kittery

Fort Foster is something of a hidden treasure, primarily known to residents of southern York County, and a wonderful family destination with a variety of activities appealing to children.

This inlet beach has white sand, clear water and no significant undertow. The sand slopes out very gradually, so children and adults can wade a good distance before hitting deeper water. The gradual slope also helps warm the water.

Next to the beach are restrooms, picnic tables, walking trails and a playground, and close by are the remains of military fortifications dating as far back as 1899. The only downside is the lack of lifeguards; however, for adequately attentive parents this can be a plus, as it often means a less-crowded beach.

MID COAST MAINE BEACHES

Birch Point State Park
South Shore Road
Owls Head, ME 04854
Phone: 207-941-4014, seasonal


See Map

Sand beach with salt water swimming in gentle surf with beautiful views of Penobscot Bay. No lifeguards. Picnicking and fishing


Reid State Park
375 Seguinland Road
Georgetown, ME 04548
Phone: 207-371-2303


See Map

Salt water beach, bathhouses, showers, restrooms. Picnic areas with tables and grills, snack bars in season.


Thomas Point Beach
Meadow Road (off Route 24)
Brunswick, ME 04011
Phone: 207-725-6009


See Map

Beautiful 85 acre Park overlooking Thomas Bay. Salt water swimming, picnicking, playground, snack bar, gift shop, camping area. Home of the Maine Highland Games and Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival.


Holbrook Island Sanctuary
Cape Rosier
Brooksville, ME 04617
Phone: 207-326-4012


See Map

Pebbly beach on Smith Cove of Penobscot Bay, no lifeguard, launch for canoes and kayaks, open pit toilets, picnic area, walking trails, parking. No admission or parking fees

Popham Beach State Park
10 Perkins Farm Lane (Route 209)
Popham Beach, ME 04562
Phone: 207-389-1335


See Map

Spacious sand beach is located on the south side of the mouth of the Kennebec River. Big rollers attract both swimmers and surfers. Lifeguards on duty during the summer. Swimmers should be wary of strong surf and rip tides and stay near lifeguards. Visitors can walk to Fox Island at low tide. Shell collecting is a popular pastime. Facilities include bathhouses, freshwater showers, picnic area with charcoal grills, trails.


Roque Bluffs, Maine
Sand Color (Pebble beach)
Length 1/2 mile
Average Summer Water Temp 68
Location 75 miles NE of Bar Harbor
Getting to Roque Bluffs is half the fun. From Route 1 in Machias, follow Roque Bluff Road for 6 miles, past lobster-trap-scattered blueberry barrens, dense stands of boreal fir trees, and finally through a thicket of fragrant beach roses, where you’ll access one of Maine’s hidden gems. The park consists of a freshwater kettle pond and an ocean-facing pebble beach, both of which provide pristine but chilly swimming (thanks to the Labrador current). Facilities include picnic tables, grills, changing rooms, and bathrooms, but the real draw is the solitude of the beach and the pure cobalt waters on Englishman’s Bay.

If you love this beach, try Jasper Beach in Machiasport. It’s much rockier, but just as quiet, and easier to find

Guide101s (http://www.shermanstravel.com/guide101s/Great_American_Beaches_101/Best_Secluded_Beaches - broken link)

WILLARD BEACH
WILLARD ROAD
SOUTH PORTLAND

Insiders' Guide to Portland, Maine - Google Books

Thomas Point Beach
Brunswick, Maine
This is a 290 yd beach with sheltered swimming and play areas. Is a privately operated beach and can be reserved by groups.

Sandy Point Beach
Stockton Springs, Maine
Picturesque pocket beach, 290 yds long between rocky headlands. Features unique sand of shell fragments. Partly closed in summer. No facilites and limited parking.

Lincolnville Beach
Lincolnville, Maine
Popular swimming beach at summer colony. Limited parking.

Head Beach
Phippsburg, Maine
Fine Sand Crescent Beach, 360 yds. Parking at nearby campground.

Birch Point Beach (Lucia Beach)
Ash Point, Maine
Small pocket beach, rocky headlands, freshwater marsh. Limited Parking.

Hunnewell Beach
Popham Beach State Park
Bath, Maine
3- mile long expanse of sand at the mouth of the Kennebec River. Sandbar and tidal pools. Never crowded, often windy.


Reid State Park
Georgetown, Maine
1.5 miles of sand in 3 distinct beach sections. Choose from surf to protected swimming areas great for small children.

Pemaquid Beach State Park
Route 130, Pemaquid, Maine
Beautiful beach but often windy. If so, go to the more secluded but pebbly beach down the road a piece.

Barrett's Cove Beach
Megunticook Lake
Beaucaire Ave., off Rte. 52
Camden, Maine
Ph: 207-236-3353.
Despite Camden's heavy tourist traffic, life at the beach isn't all that crowded, especially on weekdays. The lake temperature is warm by July, and shallow water at the modest sand beach is great for keeping an eye on children. There's a grassy area nearby and picnic tables for lunch. There are portable bathrooms, but it's a good idea to get into your swimsuit before you arrive.

Crescent Beach
Damariscotta Lake State Park
8 State Park Rd.
Jefferson, Maine
Ph: 207-549-7600.
One of the most popular—and sometimes most crowded—day-use beaches in the state park system (with approximately 30,000 visitors per year), Damariscotta Lake's broad, flat, no-nonsense sandy beach provides a wide-angle view of the viridian Kennebec Valley. The soft sand and shallow water make it feel almost like the ocean. A shaded grassy area in the back is a great spot for an afternoon picnic or barbecue.

Mid Coast Maine Beaches Public Swimming Guide beaches in Maine ME State Parks beaches pools and swimming holes, All about Maine.

Birch Point Beach State Park
Majestic views of Penobscot Bay and the islands that lay past Mussel Ridge Channel. You can enjoy fishing or picnicking while taking in the view, or during gentle surf conditions, take a quick swim in the Atlantic Ocean. The Park has a wonderful sandy beach, which is very inviting. Off Route 73, Dublin Road to Ballyhoc Road. Approximately 7 miles from downtown Rockland.

Owls Head Light State Park
High on a promontory, this short, brick tower offers stunning views. The keeper's house is a residence for a Coast Guard family, but it sits in a forested state park open to the public with restrooms, trails, and a small beach. Good birding spot. North Shore Drive off Route 73 and follow signs

Marshall Point Light
Remember the scene in the 1994 movie Forrest Gump when Tom Hanks ended his cross-country run at a lighthouse? That was Marshall Point. The lighthouse is still an active Coast Guard aid to navigation. You can visit the lighthouse and grounds all year; the museum is open from May to October. You can also view Marshall Point Light from the Port Clyde-Monhegan Island ferry

Monhegan Island
“The island that time forgot” is undoubtedly the most famous island in Maine, thanks in large measure to the art of George Bellows, Edward Hopper, Rockwell Kent, Jamie Wyeth, and many others who have been drawn to paint its dramatic cliffs—the highest on the New England coast. There are no roads or cars and most of it is a nature preserve with 17 miles of trails, breathtaking walks and plenty of vistas you’ll want to sketch or capture with your camera. For those of you less inclined to clamber, there’s an artists' colony, a museum, a swimming beach (for hardy souls who like cold ocean water), and yet another lighthouse to make this a more than memorable trip. Daytrips to Monhegan by boat from Port Clyde

Down East & Acadia Maine Beaches & Lake Swimming


Sandy Point Beach
Stockton Springs, Maine
Beach and nature area. No facilities, limited parking.

Lamoine Beach
Lamoine, Maine
Popular swimming beach. 2740 yds long.

Sand Beach
Acadia National Park
Bar Harbor, Maine
Not a very large beach but with rock walls on two sides and a perfect southern exposure one of the most beautiful you will ever encounter - as long as you do not mind 50-degree water temperatures.


Roque Bluffs State Park
Roque Bluffs, ME
This 300 acre park features fishing, picnic areas, and a scenic stretch of beach with ocean swimming.


Echo Lake, Acadia National Park
Off Rte. 102
Mt. Desert Island. ME
Ph: 207-288-3338
The milder water temperatures at Echo give it a big edge over the characteristically frigid ocean beaches on the island. The beach area is as long as it is wide, and slopes gently into the shallow water. There are plenty of shaded areas if you'd like to escape the sun or settle in with a book. Put on your swimsuit ahead of time.

Mid Coast Maine Beaches Public Swimming Guide beaches in Maine ME State Parks beaches pools and swimming holes, All about Maine.

SOUTHERN MAINE

OGUNQUIT
MOODY BEACH
Moody Beach
Bourne Avenue in Moody. Parking $7 per day

Drakes Island Beach
Limited parking at lot on eastern end of Drakes Island Road. Toilet facilities and lifeguards
(WELLS ME)

KENNEBUNK/KENNEBUNKPORT

Mother's Beach
Short sandy section of perfect sand beach which is well protected. Playground. Stickers required, available at Town Hall. No facilities. Lifeguard on duty.

Gooch's Beach
Largest part of Kennebunk Beach, along Beach Avenue, with talcum powder sand. Parking sticker required, available at Town Hall. No snack bar. Portable toilets. Lifeguards

Colony Beach
At the mouth of the Kennebunk River lies this 150-foot beach. Limited parking. No lifeguard.

Cleaves Cove Beach
Secluded and scenic beach off Ocean Avenue. No parking. No facilities. No lifeguards.

Goose Rocks Beach
Very soft sand, great for walking. Scenic and beautiful. Parking sticker required or trolley access. No facilities or lifeguard.


BIDDEFORD/SACO

Fortune's Rocks Beach
Small sandy beach. Lifeguards. Parking Fee.

Ferry Beach State Park
Sheltered from wind, natural sand dunes. Facilities, picnic area and nature trails.


KITTERY ME
Seapoint Beach
Crescent beach on North side of a tiny peninsula backed by marsh. Beach length: 550 yds. Good birdwatching. No facilities, limited parking. Dogs allowed on leash after 5:00 pm

Hope this helps !

[bigounets]

Wow, that's a treasure for someone moving to Southern Maine. Thank you for all the details!

[Moxie]

We like going to Popham, near Phippsburg. Just make sure you get there early. They open at 9 am. Parking is limited and when the tide comes in you lose your sandy beach in the PM. Some folks fall asleep and wake up when they are wet! They just put in new bath house which was really a nice surprise. Nice lifeguards too.
We forgot to buy ice and were happy to find it for $2 at the store a bit further down the beach. You can easily walk to it down the beach.

Just remember to guard your sandwiches from the gulls as they'll snatch them right out of your hand as you are eating!!!

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by Moxie

We like going to Popham, near Phippsburg. Just make sure you get there early. They open at 9 am. Parking is limited and when the tide comes in you lose your sandy beach in the PM. Some folks fall asleep and wake up when they are wet! They just put in new bath house which was really a nice surprise. Nice lifeguards too.
We forgot to buy ice and were happy to find it for $2 at the store a bit further down the beach. You can easily walk to it down the beach.

Just remember to guard your sandwiches from the gulls as they'll snatch them right out of your hand as you are eating!!!

We used to go there when we were kids. It was always a nice place. It was no where near as crowded then as it is now. Gulls are becoming more brazen these days. I saw on steal a guys hotdog in Portland as he was opening his can of soda.