Maine’s Best Beaches
 Other
beaches have playgrounds, ice cream stands, lobster shacks, lifeguards, and
parking within easy reach. And a few Maine beaches are remote, secluded and
remarkable for their dramatic setting.Here are some of the top beaches in Maine Sand Beach in Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island is just 300 yards long, but what Sand Beach lacks in length it makes up for in spectacular scenery. The soft sand is surrounded by rocky Maine coast on both sides. The views from Sand Beach out to sea are superb. Warning: the salt water at Sand Beach can be bone chilling cold even in peak July and August. Mainers call it “refreshing.”  Old
Orchard Beach is famed for its 7 mile (no typo - seven mile) stretch of
sand, with a centerpiece Pier in the middle. If you like the calming sound
of the surf and rustling dune grass, then head north to Pine Point or south
to Camp Ellis to get away from sand castle building, Frisbee tossing and
typical beach play on a sunny day. Otherwise plunk your beach chair and
umbrella by the Pier near Palace Playland and all the amusement that is Old
Orchard Beach. You can even walk barefoot to buy salty delicious Pier fries
or a slice of hot fresh pizza. Goose Rocks Beach in Kennebunkport doesn’t make everyone’s list, which makes it ever the more special. This three mile stretch of white sand offers gentle surf and room to spread out, with great views of the Goose Rocks -  hence
the name, and Timber Island. Goose Rocks is located in a protected bay,
between Cape Porpoise and Biddeford’s Fortune’s Rocks.Kennebunkport has one other very scenic beach, Colony Beach – located in front of the namesake grand hotel. From this short but easy to access beach you can watch the yachts and lobstermen enter and exit the breakwater that guards the Kennebunk River, and you can see spectacular sunrises, sunsets and fireworks on the 4th of July. Across the River lie the rest of the beaches of the Kennebunks’. Kennebunk features three beaches; the sandiest is Gooches Beach, Middle Beach and Mother’s Beach – which offers a playground and tidal pools. These Kennebunk beaches are all connected by sidewalk and make for a nice oceanfront stroll.  Long Sand Beach in York is two miles long, with views of The Nubble Lighthouse – the most photographed lighthouse in the country. Nearby Short Sands Beach is walking distance to ice cream parlors, shops, restaurants, and The Golden Rod where saltwater taffy is made. Short Sands is the more happening beach, a playground of sand and sights and sounds, but their proximity to each other makes it easy to enjoy both Long and Short Sands beaches. Ogunquit Beach is three miles long from the southernmost section, near the village of Ogunquit where the Ogunquit Rivers flows out to the sea, to Footbridge Beach and Moody Beach at the northeastern most reach. Ogunquit Beach has a broad, rather flat stretch of sand, especially during low tide, making it ideal for families or a pickup game of beach ball or Frisbee. From Ogunquit Beach you can walk the famed Marginal Way, a three mile path along the coast to Perkins Cove – a charming fishing village with shops, eateries, boats and a working drawbridge.  Nearby
are Wells Beach and Drake’s Island Beach,
both ideal for sunning, walking, and surfing when the waves are right. These
beaches are popular come summer time, with lifeguards on duty.Scarborough Beach State Park on Prouts Neck is also a beautiful protected beach, located on Black Point Road. And Ferry Beach, also on Prouts Neck Point offers a protected stretch of sand directly on the Scarborough River. In Portland’s Casco Bay region just south of Portland are several sandy beaches. Higgins Beach, Crescent Beach and Willard Beach are each almost a mile long with soft sand and extraordinary sea views. Popham Beach State Park off Perkins Farm Road, Phippsburg in Maine's Mid-Coast Region is a 3 mile long sand beach at the mouth of the Kennebec River. Many consider this Maine's finest most beautiful unspoiled beach. Those are just a few of the best sandy spots along the Maine coast, but there are plenty more to explore and some of the best Maine beaches remain a secret (and that’s even better). Maine’s inland lakes and rivers offer beautiful sand beaches as well. Enjoy discovering Maine’s beaches, see our Maine Beaches page for a Maine beaches guide and view our Maine Beach Photo Gallery.
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