Beaches on the South Coast of ME

Old Orchard Beach

Grand Avenue (Route 9) Old Orchard Beach, ME, 04064 Phone: 207-934-2500

Old 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.

Harbor Beach in York, ME - Photo Credit Christina Richards via Google Maps

Harbor Beach York

U.S. Route 1 York, ME, 03909 Phone: 207-363-1040

Sheltered, 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.

Ogunquit Beaches

Beach Street Ogunquit, ME Phone: 207-646-2939

This 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.

Fortune's Rocks Beach

Fortune's Rocks Road Biddeford, ME, 04005 Phone: 207-284-9307

This 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.

Rainbow over Gooch's Beach - Kennebunk, ME - Photo Credit Google Maps

Kennebunk Beaches

Beach Avenue Kennebunk, ME, 04043 Phone: 207-967-0857

There’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.

Short Sands Beach

Ocean Avenue (Route 1A) York, MA, 03909 Phone: 207-363-1040

Family-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.

Ferry Beach State Park

95 Bayview Road - ME Route 9 Saco, ME, 04072 Phone: 207-283-0067

Ferry 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

Long Sands Beach

Route 1A York, ME, 03909 Phone: 207-363-1040

This 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.

Fort Foster Beach

Pocahontas Road Kittery, ME, 03905 Phone: 207-439-2181

Located 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.

Cape Neddick Beach - York, ME - Photo Credit Union Bluff Hotel

Cape Neddick Beach (also call Passaconaway Beach)

U.S. Route 1A York, ME, 03902 Phone: 207-363-1040

Very 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.

Goose Rocks Beach

Kings Hwy. off Route 9 Kennebunkport, ME, 04046 Phone: 207-967-0857

Goose 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.

Moody's Beach

Ocean Avenue Wells, ME, 04090 Phone: 207-646-2451

Mile-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.

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Northern Maine

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Western Lakes Mountains

Maine's Beaches - South Coast Region