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Best Sandy Beaches in Maine 2024-2025

Find Maine's hidden gems - the BEST sandy beaches for families! Build memories & escape the ordinary. Plan your trip today!

By Cruise Booking Team

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Maine, the northern state in the east of the US, has some wonderful beaches and a rugged coastline. Although most beaches are quite beautiful and renowned here. We have some of the top-rated sandy beaches in Maine with their idyllic beauty, listed right here for you.

10 Best Sandy Beaches in Maine

Some of the best family friended and Sandy beaches in Maine are:

Ogunquit Beach

Ogunquit Beach
Photo Courtesy: Pixabay

The expansive beach offers plenty of activities, such as swimming and wave body surfing, sunbathing, and strolling on the broad sandy expanse. On the southern tip of the beach, there is a huge open area for parking (paid), and toilets, showers, and picnic benches have been installed. There is also a hotel, some gift shops, a snack bar, and a few restaurants. A footbridge across the Ogunquit River joins Footbridge Beach to the central part of Ogunquit Beach. A lifeguard is present when the summer period is on. There are a lot of parking spaces available (charges are applicable), a boat ramp and toilets. There is a large one with toilets at the north beach, which is at the end of Ogunquit beach.

Old Orchard Beach

Old Orchard Beach
Photo by nick7634 at Freepik

A seven-mile-long stretch of the beach, constituting soft sands, made Old Orchard Beach the hotcake of all beach resorts in the state of Maine. Such a place is well known at the very end of the beach, which also includes an arcade and is home to a large amusement center called Palace Playland. The facility has been expanding almost 500 feet into the water since 1898. Thus, it is an iconic oceanfront structure. Some sections are set aside for surfers. In the town, there is a carnival-like atmosphere, where there are arcades, amusement rides, restaurants, hotels, gift shops, clubs, and The Pier. The strip offers food, offers for souvenirs, rides, fares, free concerts, street dancing, and fireworks almost every Thursday.

Sand Beach, Acadia National Park

Sand Beach, Acadia National Park
Photo by f11photo at Freepik

The Sand Beach is in the Acadia National Park. The view is stunning, thanks to rugged granite ridges and tall fir trees. It is a shell-fragment beach that covers about 300 yards of an unusual pot. Even in summer, the ocean water temperature is only 55 degrees Fahrenheit. There are lifeguards present at Sand Beach during the summer. Beaches at this location are pet-free from June 15th to September 8th. While it is possible to go to Sand Beach on foot along Park Loop Road, one will first have to obtain a park entrance pass. Bar Harbor downtown is about 5 to 6 miles from the beach.

Goose Rocks Beach

Goose Rocks Beach
Photo by lifeforstock at Freepik

A day of leisure at Goose Rocks Beach, located in Kennebunkport in the state of Maine, is one of a kind, thanks to the fine sand and serenity offered. The place has clear waters and soft waves, making it suitable for strollers, sunbathes, and nature lovers. The expansive stretch of open sands at Goose Rocks Beach creates a peaceful and spacious feel, alleviating the need to go back to the crowded beaches of the area. Also, this easygoing and scenic beach located on the coastline of Maine allows tide pooling, swimming, and beachcombing in shallow waters off of the beach.

Popham Beach State Park

Popham Beach State Park
Photo by wirestock at Freepik

Breathtaking seascape and smooth sandy beaches appeal to Popham Beach State Park to tourists and visitors from different parts of Maine. There are tidal pools in this park in Phippsburg, which is excellent for kids, beach lovers, and nature enthusiasts. This beach provides intense views of Fox and Wood Islands, which makes it another quiet and beautiful beach that is fully enjoyed during a beach day. Other visitors can also partake in more activities, such as fishing and picnics. Popham Beach State Park is one of the best places to enjoy a calm day out with loved ones.

You May Also Like: Things to do in Portland, Maine

Wells Beach

Wells Beach
Photo by BiZkettE1 at Freepik

Wells Beach stretches around 1.5 miles in the southern part of Maine and is sandwiched between Crescent Beach and the Wells Beach Jetty. Here, you will get the traditional New England beach experience, with plenty of dunes and seagrass. This beach is also ideal for kids as they can explore tidal pools and marshes for fun.

However, if you want to be adventurous, you can have access to boats and kayaks. Besides this beach, you can also explore Crescent, Moody, and Drake's Islands to add a little adventure to your beach trip.

Kennebunk Beach

Kennebunk Beach
Photo by EyeEm at Freepik

Kennebunk Beach, also known as Mother's Beach, is a small sandy beach with stunning views and protected waters. The sand is soft and snowy, which will feel gentle on your feet. It is also a kid-friendly beach, and while you enjoy the sun, your kids can enjoy the playground. Dogs are welcome on this beach before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m.

Harbor Beach

Harbor Beach
Photo by Nick Fox at Freepik

Harbor Beach is undoubtedly one of the five best beaches in Maine and provides some of the best views of this state. It also has gentle surf in York Harbor and is great for walking and exploring the rocks during low tide. Enjoy a scenic view from York Harbor Inn to Hartley Mason Reserve on a walk.

Crescent Beach, Cape Elizabeth

Crescent Beach, Cape Elizabeth
Photo by kopgzdevth at Freepik

Among all the beaches in Maine, Crescent Beach is one of the delightful ones. It has saltwater coves, a sandy oceanfront, and hiking trails visible along the edge of the waters. For adventurous people, this beach provides excellent facilities for water sports. Apart from it, this beach also provides an opportunity for sunbathing, birdwatching, and fishing.

Higgins Beach, Scarborough

Higgins Beach, Scarborough
Photo by kocamir at Freepik

The quirky scenic experience makes Higgins Beach an archetypal place for taking photos. During low tide, you will discover the part of a boat exposed directly from the sands that contributes to nature’s beauty palette. However, those who are looking to drive into this place must note that finding a parking spot can be tricky here. Besides great scenic beauty, you can also find multiple dining spots, which, woven with the milieu, become memorable.

Ready to explore more of Maine's stunning coastline? Check out these additional beaches:

What to Expect?

Some of the top-rated beaches in Maine are exceedingly beautiful and offer plenty of exploration opportunities. During the summer months, the beaches are lively and bustling with visitors who flock here for refreshments. Some beaches also offer dining options that serve luscious food and refreshing drinks to uplift spirits.

Your Guide to Maine's Beaches: FAQs

What is the prettiest beach in Maine?

Ogunquit Beach is the prettiest beach in Maine, with powdery sand, sweeping views, and beautiful scenery. A walking path has also been constructed and runs along Marginal Way, where the oceanfront can be viewed, adding to the appeal of the region.

What beach in Maine has the clearest water?

Sand Beach of Acadia National Park is a clear-cut beach framed by high cliffs and mountains. It is clear largely because the water is from the Atlantic Ocean, which is freezing.

Are Maine beaches swimmable?

The beaches in Maine, although quite cold, especially on the northern end of the state, can be swum in. Swimming is enjoyed more during the warm months at the southern ends of the beaches, like Old Orchard Beach and Wells Beach.

Does Maine have white-sand beaches?

It admits that the very soft white sand at Popham Beach and Higgins Beach make them ideal locations for long beach strolls or sunbathing.

Where is the Sea Glass beach in Maine?

A Popham the Beach sea glass beach is known to be located within the state of Maine at Fort Popham. Many collectors love the rough coast due to the availability of sea glass in plenty in most cases.

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