Beaches in Maine

1. Biddeford Pool Beach

Unlike many other beach town destinations, Biddeford Pool Beach has managed to withstand the modern chain hotel takeover, ensuring that their small town destination still feels like home.

Biddeford Pool Beach in Maine is home to year-round residents, and as a beachfront village it wraps around Biddeford with beach and small-town charm.

Biddeford Pool Beach is in no way a resort destination, so visitors to this location shouldn’t expect lavish bars, towel boys, and the like.

Instead they should come prepared for 1950’s American charm, small mom and pop stores, and the joy of walking, biking, and swimming the summer away. Biddeford Pool Beach Map

2. Birch Point Beach State Park

Situated away from mainstream traffic and crowds, Birch Point Beach State Park is pleasantly tucked away along Maine’s middle coastal region, just south of Ash Point.

Guests who take the time to find this hidden gem will be well rewarded with sweeping oceanfront vistas, a crescent-shaped oceanfront beach centered between a pair of extremely rocky areas, and unrivaled glimpses of the various islands alongside Penobscot Bay.

Unfortunately Birch Point Beach State Park is for day use only, so don’t bother packing overnight gear, but day use offers pleasantly chilly water, prime fishing spots, and a quiet beach to relax on. Birch Point Beach State Park Map

3. Cleaves Cove Beach, Maine

Visitors to any of Maine’s legendary beaches know to expect a variety of different circumstances, whether that be a lack of facilities and lifeguards, or an overcrowding at popular destinations. Cleaves Cove Beach is no exception. It is located a short trip down the road from the Bush Estate, and isn’t that well known or visited since it has little to no sand during high tide. Parking is extremely limited at this beach, which is a plus, since those who bike or walk to it will enjoy a far less busy beach than the surrounding spots.

There are no lifeguards, public services, or any facilities at this beach so be sure to come prepared.

4. Colony Beach

Bufflehead Cove, in Kennebunk, Maine, is a rather popular summer destination for summer tourists and locals alike. Because of this the beaches nearest the local inn are often overrun with tourists, screaming children, and summer activities. For those visitors who are looking for something a little less crowded and noisy, they should head down the road to Colony Beach.

It is a small and often overlooked destination beach that is defined by the harbor’s eastern jetty, and because of this parking is typically easy to procure.

Don’t expect any facilities at this beach, however, as only the most popular beaches tend to offer bathroom and lifeguarding services. Colony Beach Map

5. Crescent Beach State Park

When tourists think of Maine beaches, they typically imagine large oceanfront swathes of sand, saltwater coves, and possibly wooded areas nearby. All of these, and more, can be found at Crescent Beach State Park, which originally opened to the public in 1966 and is located a short eight miles south of Portland, Maine.

Guests to Crescent Beach can expect sand dunes to explore, crisp ocean breezes, picnic areas, swimming opportunities, and plenty of fishing boats to watch during the day. During the offseason this park is closed to vehicles, so plans should be made accordingly when visiting during the colder months. Crescent Beach State Park Map

6. Drake's Island Beach, Maine

Wells, Maine, is a beloved tourists destination during the summer time, and because of this the surrounding beaches often fill with ocean lovers during the warmer months. One such beach is Drake's Island Beach, which is located at the end of Drakes Island Road.

This beach has a parking lot available for guests willing to pay the small fee, but offers its beach without any entrance fee. There are lifeguards, public restrooms, and during the warmer months a local ice cream truck often stops by to sell ice cream to beach goers. Drake’s Island Beach is comprised of soft, white sand, and is the second largest of Wells’ three listed public beaches. Drake's Island Beach Map

7. Ferry Beach State Park

Contained within a preserved 100-acre area, Ferry Beach State Park has more to offer to visitors than just swimming and beach exploring. It is located near to Old Orchard Beach and Camp Ellis, and features a small grove of tupelo trees, more commonly known as black gum trees, which are rare at that latitude.

From Ferry Beach State Park guests can see for miles, both ocean views and views of sweeping white sand beaches. There is a picnic area, nature trails to explore, a changing room available, and even occasional guided nature programs on a rotating schedule. Ferry Beach State Park Map

8. Footbridge Beach, Maine

Praised by locals and tourists alike for being a smaller, quieter beach along the coast of Maine, Footbridge Beach is just a mile north of Ogunquit town center. During the peak of the season parking fees should be anticipated, sometimes costing $20 or more, and be warned that once leaving the lot cars cannot re enter without paying the fee again.

The beach is accessed by crossing a wooden footbridge, hence the name, which spans a section of the Ogunquit River. This beach offers basic restroom facilities as well as a trained lifeguard during the entire season, and the sand is praised for being soft and clean with a low percentage of shells and rocks. Footbridge Beach Map

9. Fortune’s Rocks Beach

Situated in Biddeford, Fortune’s Rocks Beach entails a two-mile long expanse of soft, sandy beach that spans between Biddeford Pool and Fortunes Rocks. Given that the beach covers two miles, there is plenty of space for guests to spread out, relax, and swim without feeling crowded.

There is limited parking located at both the south and north ends of the beach, and although there is a lifeguard on duty there are unfortunately no other services provided. Given this beaches location along Maine’s coast it is often a destination for watersport lovers, so be prepared to share the water with surfers, bodyboarders, skimboarders, and even surf kayakers. Fortune’s Rocks Beach Map

10. Gooch's Beach, Maine

Often referred to as Kennebunk Beach, Gooch's Beach is an extremely popular summer destination for tourists, given its close proximity to town and parking accessibility. It is recommended to arrive earlier in the day to this beach in order to secure a paid parking spot, or if guests are arriving later in the day they may want to park in town and walk or bike. This beach is popular with morning joggers because of the long stretches of clean sand, the sand also offers ample opportunity for sunning and sandcastle building.

Guests to this beach will enjoy being safe while swimming thanks to a lifeguard and can use the onsite portable toilets at their leisure. Gooch's Beach Map