Skip the crowds and explore these 15 amazing maine hidden beaches

Maine’s beaches draw big crowds; they are part of the allure but also part of a reason Vacationland can feel so crowded during those ephemeral summer months. With more than 3,500 miles of shoreline in Maine, you can head away from the crowds and discover Maine’s hidden beaches that still provide stunning views.

We’ve scoured the shoreline, including the islands and inlets, plus a few locations on Maine’s glacier lakes that still provide beachy scenes. Let’s look at the unique layout of Maine’s hidden beaches and how you can explore them if you’re up for an adventure.

Maine Coastline vs. Shoreline

It helps to know the difference between Maine’s shoreline and coastline, because they are not the same thing. The tidal shoreline is every place where land and water touch. That means ocean beaches, yes, but also tidal rivers, quiet coves, salt marshes, and winding inlets. Add in the thousands of islands, too. Basically, if saltwater meets land, it counts.

The coastline is the bigger-picture boundary where Maine meets the Atlantic Ocean. Think exposed ocean edges, rocky headlands, and island-dotted horizons.

• Maine’s Coastline: 3,478 miles
• Maine’s Shoreline: 228 miles

About 40% of Maine’s coastline sits on rocky bluffs, those signature Maine scenes like at Portland Head Light. Just 2% accounts for sandy beaches, in places like Old Orchard Beach and Ogunquit.

But before you pack a bag for a packed beach, consider one of these hidden beaches in Maine that are well worth the effort to explore.

Barred Island Preserve | Deer Isle

Head Downeast to South Deer Isle to Barred Island Preserve. To get to the beach, you’ll take the mile-long boardwalk through a boreal bog forest and have a granite overlook area before you reach the sandbar to Barred Island.

Timing this trip is crucial, since you can only walk the sandbar between three hours before and three hours after low tide. If you miss the window, access to the island is buried under six feet of water. The beach has more rock than sand, but plenty of room to stretch out, even if it’s atop pink granite outcroppings.

Parsons Beach | Kennebunk

Parsons Beach in Kennebunk has extremely limited parking and no flashy amenities, which helps naturally filter out the crowds. What you get in return is a half-mile stretch of soft sand, dunes, and marshland where the Mousam River meets the Atlantic.

The setting feels wild, quiet, and refreshingly untouched for southern Maine. It is privately owned but generously open to the public, which adds to its low-key charm. With only a handful of parking spots, access is limited to a lucky six or so cars, or those who want to walk from the main road to get there.

Fine Sand Beach | Swans Island

The solitude of Swans Island’s Fine Sand Beach makes the 40-minute ferry ride from Bass Harbor worth it. From the dock, Fine Sand Beach is about five miles away. While walking that distance might deter you, the ferry does allow cars, and bicycling is also popular on Swan’s Island.

A half-mile hike from the road through a pine forest takes you right to the wide expanse of Fine Sand Beach. Low tide offers the most beach access, along with some cool tidepooling options.

If you like the idea of staying longer on Swans Island, you should know that the Burnt Coat Harbor Lighthouse is one of the few lighthouses in Maine where you can rent the keeper’s house.

Jasper Beach | Machiasport

Deeper Downeast on the coast of Machiasport, you can see the “singing rocks” of Jasper Beach. Instead of sand, the mile-long shoreline is covered in smooth, colorful stones that click and hum as the waves move through them. It is one of the most unusual beaches in Maine, and somehow still flies under the radar. Don’t be surprised if you find some seaglass.

The beach sits inside a small town park with easy parking and a short walk to the water. Go at low tide to wander farther out along the stones and take in sweeping views of the open Atlantic, sea caves just out of reach, seabirds, and rugged Downeast coastline.

Jones Beach | Lubec

If you’re heading to Quoddy Head State Park and the easternmost point in the United States, you’ll drive by Jones Beach and likely not even notice it. It’s also listed as Carrying Place Cove in the brochure for the state park.

This rare sandy stretch of beach Downeast spans 1,200 feet and is prime birding territory. To get there, you’ll need to take the two-mile trek on the Coastal Trail until you reach the beach. Then it’s another two miles back, but feel free to explore the Thompson Trail as a less challenging route on the way back.

Barrett’s Cove Beach | Camden

Not all of Maine’s hidden beaches face the ocean. Camden’s Barrett’s Cove Beach is hidden in the shadows of Mount Battie, Mount Megunticook, and Maiden’s Cliff, on the shores of Megunticook Lake.

Barrett’s Cove Beach is a perfect family destination, with a designated swimming area, picnic tables, grills, and restrooms. Plus, you’ll get mobile service. Summer visitors might find the water warmer than they can get at the oceanfront beaches.

Seapoint Beach | Kittery

Kittery offers a two-for-one beach experience less than three miles from Fort Foster. Seapoint Road takes you right to the beach parking area, where there is room for about 15 cars.

Seapoint Peach and Crescent Beach are separated by a small rocky section, though there’s a trail to circle the rocks and get amazing views. Both beaches are best explored at low tide, since high tide takes up much of the sand real estate.

The limited parking, remote location, and lack of facilities makes thsi one of Maine’s best hidden beaches in Kittery.

Laudholm Beach | Wells

A Maine hidden beach in Wells is close to the tourist-focused locations, but requires enough of an effort to get there that crowds are usually small. You’ll enter through the Wells Reserve at Laudholm, which has seven miles of trails, wildlife, and vegetation to explore.

The Barrier Beach Trail is less than a mile from the parking area and leads to Laudholm Beach. Even though it looks like this beach is close to the town beaches, private property abuts the Reserve.

If you don’t like dogs on beaches, you’ll love Laudholm Beach, as dogs aren’t allowed.

Seawall Beach | Phippsburg

Full disclosure: the secret is out about the “hidden beach” of Phippsburg at Seawall Beach, but the crowds are still smaller than you’ll find at nearby Popham Beach.

As with most beaches on this list, you’ll need some legwork to get there. The beach is at the turnaround point on the Morse Mountain to Seawall Beach Trail. The Bates-Morse Mountain Conservation Corporation maintains the trail, which is wide and easy enough for the whole family.

The beach spans two miles, and you can get to Popham Beach from here if you don’t mind walking a little longer. Don’t let the Morse Mountain part intimidate you; the mountain is just 433 feet above sea level.

Roque Bluffs Beach | Roque Bluffs

Maine’s hidden beach in Roque Bluffs comes with a unique trait; it’s bordered by saltwater and freshwater, with just a road between the two. The two-mile stretch of sand on Englishman Bay comes with views of Simpson Pond.

Hikers can enjoy the six miles of trail that weave through Rogue Bluffs State Park. Kayaks are available to rent on site, and the pond is popular for anglers. It’s also worth noting that Roque Bluffs is on Maine’s Ice Age Trail, and you’ll see evidence of glacier activity at every vantage point. That includes the glacier sediment that makes up Roque Bluffs Beach.

South Sandy Beach | Matinicus

At what might be the most remote pubic beach in Maine, South Sandy Beach sits 23 miles offshore on Matinicus. The ferry ride to get there will take nearly two hours. You can also book a flight on Penobscot Island Air.

Once you’re on the island, it’s just 1.5 miles to South Sandy Beach. For those insistent on leaving the crowds behind, you’ll love that the island has a population of just 53 people. Few people make the trip out here, mostly because it’s so far away and amenities are rustic.

The crescent-shaped beach is about 1,600 feet long with sweeping views of the islands offshore and the wide-open Atlantic. Be prepared for the water to be chilly year-round.

Bailey Island Beach | Bailey Island

Head to the Land’s End portion of Bailey Island to access a small sandy beach surrounded by big, rocky headlands. At the entrance to the beach is a Lobsterman memorial that honors everyone who devoted their lives to the industry.

In addition to the plain-sight views, bring some quarters to feed the coin-operated view finders. You’ll spot passing ships on the horizon, nearby islands, and seabirds searching for food.

At the opposite end of the island, look for Cedar Beach, another Maine hidden gem, but you’ll want to get there at low tide to see the sandy expanse on Water Cove.

South Beach | Long Island

You’ll need to go island hopping to get to South Beach on Long Island. The ferry starts in Portland, about five miles from Long Island, and makes several stops along the way.

It’s about a mile from the ferry dock to the 2,000-foot expanse of sandy beach. Vaill Island, just offshore, provides enough shelter from wave action during calm seas. Plus, you get rocky headlands on both sides and plenty of driftwood to keep beachcombers interested.

Other hidden beaches on Long Island include Wreck Cove and Fowler’s Beach. When the waves are kicking, head to Wreck Cove, and you’ll understand how it got its name.

Trundy Point | Cape Elizabeth

While everyone else is packing the park around the Portland Head Lighthouse in Cape Elizabeth, head for the Trundy Point Preserve. A big selling point of Trundy Point is the five lighthouses in view from the rocky headlands.

Keep in mind that Trundy Point has a pocket beach, about 200 feet across. However, there’s still enough sand to relax and plenty of rocks to walk on when you’re ready for those jaw-dropping views.

Parking is limited, but it’s also close enough to the main attractions of Cape Elizabeth to take a bike ride to Trundy Point.

Webb Beach | Weld

Our last beach on the hidden beaches of Maine list is in the Lakes & Mountains region at Mt. Blue State Park. Webb Beach is part of the largest state park in Maine (except for Baxter State Park, which is not part of the state park oversight).

The beach takes up about 600 feet on Webb Lake. There’s a swimming area, kayak launch, picnic area, and nature center on site. You can’t beat the mountain views, with Blue Mountain rising nearly 3,200 feet above.

Nearby Tumbledown Mountain is another hidden beach area, if you like the rocky waterfront of an alpine lake.

Respecting Maine’s Hidden Beaches

A lot of locals would wonder why we’d share these hidden Maine beaches. What we’re trying to do is help visitors explore more unique parts of the state that aren’t overrun by tourists during peak seasons.

Plus, exploring Maine’s hidden beaches gets you into some lesser-known parts of popular areas. To that end, please respect all rules on Maine’s public lands and privately owned places with public access. Carry out your trash, leave no trace, and keep the noise down.

Our goal is to share the nuances of Maine with everyone, while giving plenty of new options to explore on your next Vacationland adventure.