Where to Hunt for Sea Glass Along the Maine Coast | The guide nobody wants us to print

Maine’s coastline is a treasure trove of surprises, from seashells to sand dollars to sea glass. However, finding a shiny gem of colorful seaglass takes a little luck, a lot of planning, and a lobsterboat full of patience. We want to give you the best odds of finding sea glass in Maine, so we’ve rounded up some of the most likely spots.

Now, we need to keep this secret just between us, okay? Mainers aren’t known for sharing the most secret spots, but we’re trying to shine some light on the best places to find seaglass on a Maine vacation. Or at least the places that give you the best chance of finding a free souvenir.

What Is Sea Glass?

Sea glass is what happens when time, tide, and a whole lot of patience turn yesterday’s trash into today’s treasure. Broken bottles and glass get tumbled around by waves, sand, and rocks until the sharp edges wear down and the surface turns smooth and frosty.

In Maine, that process can take decades thanks to cold water, strong tides, and rocky beaches that do the heavy polishing. The result is those soft, colorful gems people love to hunt for at low tide. Think of it as nature’s recycling project, with a salty, coastal glow-up.

In Maine, the most common sea glass colors you’ll find are clear, brown, and seafoam green, leftovers from old bottles, jars, and fishing floats. The real brag-worthy finds are cobalt blue, deep purple, bright red, and the occasional piece of yellow or pink piece.

11 Best Sea Glass Beaches in Maine

Let’s clarify what “best seaglass beaches in Maine” really means. First, seaglass is never guaranteed. Second, a lot of the top spots will get picked clean. What’s a great beach for seaglass today could yield nothing during the peak of summer visitation.

Third, going at low tide is the best time to search for sea glass. Ideally, you visit just after a big storm that churned up a lot of wave action.

Finally, some of these locations are remote or require quite a haul to get there. One even requires that you’re a guest of a rather expensive resort.

Let’s get into it.

The Not-So-Secret Sea Glass Beach | Kennebunk

Move away from the crowds in Kennebunk between Gooch’s and Mother’s Beaches. Plan to visit the rocky section connecting the two beaches at low tide. This is a well-known treasure chest of sea glass, but that popularity might make finding it more elusive.

Lands End | Bailey Island

Harpswell Islands Road dead ends at Bailey’s Island Beach, but this area is known locally as Land’s End. In fact, Lands End Gift Shop (open seasonally) is right by the water. Walk the sandy beach here at low tide, and you might come up with colorful collectibles.

You also have a slew of Harpswell Heritage Land Trust locations to search for sea glass, with Strawberry Island and Potts Point being one of the locals’ favorites. Given how many locations there are to find sea glass here, you might want to stay a while.

Hulls Cove | Bar Harbor

Skip Sand Beach in Acadia National Beach if you’re looking for sea glass on Mount Desert Island. Instead, head about 3.5 miles north of Bar Harbor to Hulls Cove. Park where you can find a spot near Bar Harbor Road and Crooked Road. Go at low tide to find seaglass, but also know that high tide leaves very little beach access, anyway.

Belfast Beach | Belfast

Thanks to a former bottling plant that was once located here, Belfast’s waterfront is one of the luckiest beaches in Maine to find sea glass. Focus around Heritage Park or Steamboat Landing Park — anywhere between the marina and boathouse, and scour the rocks for shiny sea glass selections.

Mowry Beach | Lubec

The drive to Lubec is worth it for Mowry Beach, not just for the sea glass potential, but also to see an ancient forest underwater at low tide. The nearly 50-acre preserve provides serenity and solitude, meaning a sea glass selection that isn’t too picked over. Plus, wouldn’t you love to say you found sea glass along the Maine Ice Age Trail?

Pebble Beach | Monhegan Island

Head to the art colony of Monhegan Island, a 10-mile ferry ride from Stonington. Start by searching the rocky beach near the ferry drop-off point. Otherwise, make your way to Pebble Beach on the north end of the island. The walk spans about 2.5 miles out and back. Be sure to buy a map at the dock.

Stay away from the shoreline on the backside of Monhegan. The surf is row and currents are extreme.

If you’d rather not take the ferry to an island, try searching around the rocks near Marshall Point Lighthouse in Port Clyde.

Jonesport Beach | Jonesport

As you get closer to the Bold Coast of Maine, you can try your sea glass luck at Sandy River Beach in Jonesport (or any beach area in this water-wrapped peninsula). No luck, keep the road trip going to Beals Island. The town park has a sandy stretch of beach known to produce some beachcombing gems.

Torrington Point Beach | Peaks Island

If you’re already hopping the ferry to Peaks Island, Torrington Point Beach is worth the extra steps. This rocky stretch on the island’s eastern edge is a solid spot for sea glass, especially after storms and during low tide.

Follow the Centennial Trail or the quiet neighborhood roads toward Torrington Point, then work the cobble and ledge along the shoreline. Fewer people make it out this far, which means better odds.

Also, check Centennial Beach and Sandy Beach for more sea glass potential.

Jasper’s Beach | Machiasport

Searching the shoreline of Jasper’s Beach can feel like trying to find a needle in a stack of needles. That’s because this unique beach is made up of smooth, rounded stones. However, you will get the benefit of experiencing the “singing stones” while you use your eagle-eyed beachcombing skills.

Sea Glass Beach | Great Diamond Island

Don’t let the Portland address fool you; Great Diamond Island is still a ferry ride away, with at least one stop before you arrive at the dock. Here’s the kicker for getting to Sea Glass Beach—it’s only accessible for those staying at the Inn at Diamond Cove.

The Inn is a former military base, and that’s the reason there’s so much sea glass to be found at the adjacent beaches.

Spring Point Beach | South Portland

You can try your luck at the busier Portland beaches, but one sea glass hot spot is at Spring Point Beach in South Portland. Look for Willard Beach on the map, but then head for the rockier stretch of beach before you reach Spring Point Lighthouse. It’s right behind Southern Maine Community College and along the Spring Point Shoreway Trail.

Seaglass Lovers Unite

While we’ve spilled some seaglass secrets in this article, it’s important to know that many Mainers won’t share their favorite beachcombing location any more than they’d share their favorite fishing hole.

We do want to let you know that there are many stores throughout Maine’s coastline that offer seaglass treasures crafted into pictures, jewelry, and other keepsakes. Search the Maine Made website before your next trip to find one along your route.

However, if you head Downeast to Lubec and cross over to Campobello Island, you can time the trip for the Campobello Island Seaglass Festival every summer. This could also be a great time to explore the Quoddy Loop!