Maine has about 3,500 miles of coastline when you account for all its inlets, peninsulas, and islands, but genuine sandy beach is scarce. Most of that shoreline is rocky: ledge, cobble, and granite headlands that define the classic Maine coast image. Actual sand beaches are concentrated in the southern part of the state, roughly from the New Hampshire border up through the Portland area. North of Portland, sandy beaches become increasingly rare.
The tradeoff for visiting Maine beaches is the water temperature. Even in peak summer, Atlantic water temperatures in Maine rarely exceed 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit in the south and are often colder further north. Sand Beach at Acadia, considered Maine's warmest saltwater beach, typically tops out at 55 to 58 degrees in August. For most visitors, that means wading is comfortable but extended swimming requires either cold tolerance or a wetsuit.
What Maine does offer: long, uncrowded beaches by comparison to beaches in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and New Jersey; clear water with visibility often exceeding 10 feet; dramatic rocky headland scenery that most East Coast beaches lack; and a beach culture that tends toward quiet rather than loud.
The summer season runs from late June through Labor Day, with July and August being peak. Water temperatures are most tolerable in late July and August. Shoulder season (June and September) brings fewer crowds, similar scenery, and even colder water.
We ranked Maine beaches by real visitor ratings and review counts from our database. Here are the 8 that stand out.
1. Sand Beach, Bar Harbor, 4.8 stars (965 reviews)
Sand Beach is inside Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island, about 4 miles from the center of Bar Harbor. It is one of the few sandy beaches in the entire region north of Portland, which is part of why it draws so much attention with 965 reviews and a 4.8-star average. The crescent-shaped strand is about 290 yards long, backed by steep rocky headlands on both sides. The sand here is a mix of quartz and crushed shell that gives it a distinctive coarse texture and slightly pink tint.
Water temperature at Sand Beach peaks at around 55 to 58 degrees Fahrenheit in late August, making it the warmest saltwater swimming option on Mount Desert Island. That still qualifies as cold by most standards, but plenty of swimmers use it, particularly on days when air temperatures are in the 80s. The modest surf and relatively sheltered position behind Great Head on the east side make wave conditions manageable.
Access is via the Park Loop Road, and parking is in a designated lot that costs $35 per vehicle for a weekly Acadia pass (which also covers the rest of the park). The lot fills by mid-morning in July and August. Arriving before 9am or using the Island Explorer bus from Bar Harbor avoids the parking issue. The bus system is free with park admission and runs regularly in season.
The beach has changing rooms and restrooms. Lifeguards are on duty from late June through Labor Day. The Thunder Hole and Ocean Path trail are a short walk from the parking lot if you want to extend the visit.
Best for: Combining with an Acadia visit, dramatic scenery alongside swimming, families willing to handle cold water Watch out for: Water temperature rarely above 58F; parking fills early; $35 weekly pass required
2. Footbridge Beach, Ogunquit, 4.8 stars (739 reviews)
Footbridge Beach is the smaller, quieter alternative to Ogunquit Beach, separated from it by the Ogunquit River and accessed by a wooden pedestrian bridge off Ocean Street. With 739 reviews and a 4.8-star average, it draws a loyal following from people who find Ogunquit Beach too crowded. The beach itself is narrower and shorter, but the water conditions are similar: calm, relatively warm for Maine (reaching into the low-to-mid 60s in August due to the protected tidal estuary nearby), and gentle for swimming.
The footbridge crossing is the defining characteristic of this beach. It runs over the Ogunquit River estuary, and the view from the bridge looking inland toward the marsh is a commonly photographed scene. At low tide, the estuary creates tidal flats where kids can explore shallow channels and find crabs and small fish.
The Ogunquit Museum of American Art is adjacent to the beach access path. Parking is in the Footbridge Beach lot on Ocean Street, typically $5 to $10 per hour in summer. The lot is smaller than the main Ogunquit Beach lots, so arrival before 10am is wise in peak season. The village center, Marginal Way cliff walk, and the main Ogunquit Beach are all within a 15 to 20-minute walk.
Best for: Quieter alternative to Ogunquit Beach, families with young children, tidal estuary exploration Watch out for: Small lot fills quickly; narrower beach than Ogunquit main; footbridge is the only access point
3. Little Beach, Ogunquit, 4.8 stars (19 reviews)
Little Beach is a compact cove on Ogunquit's rocky shoreline, less than a mile from the main beach but known primarily to locals and repeat visitors. The 19-review count reflects how rarely it gets searched out rather than any deficiency: its 4.8-star average matches Footbridge Beach and Sand Beach, and the experience here has a quality the larger Ogunquit beaches can't replicate.
At low tide, granite outcroppings frame a small sandy area with tide pools that contain sea urchins, hermit crabs, periwinkles, and occasionally small fish. The pool area is shallow and clear, making it excellent for children who want to look at marine life up close. The swimming area itself is limited and works best at higher tides when the cove fills with calmer water.
Access is via Marginal Way, the 1.25-mile cliff walk that runs along the shoreline from Perkins Cove to the main beach. Little Beach sits roughly at the midpoint. There is no dedicated parking for it; visitors typically park in Perkins Cove or at the main beach lots and walk along Marginal Way to reach it.
Best for: Tide pool exploration, intimate cove swimming, combining with the Marginal Way walk Watch out for: No dedicated parking; very limited sandy area at high tide; not suitable as a primary beach for a full day
4. Ogunquit Beach, 4.7 stars (558 reviews)
Ogunquit Beach is one of southern Maine's longest sandy beaches, stretching nearly 3.5 miles along a barrier beach between the Atlantic and the Ogunquit River. The width of the beach varies significantly with the tide: at low tide, wide flat sand extends far enough that the beach feels nearly empty even when there are hundreds of people on it. At high tide, that space compresses.
Water temperature here is warmer than Acadia because the river estuary alongside the beach absorbs solar heat. In late July and August, water on the river side reaches the low 70s Fahrenheit, while the ocean side runs cooler in the low-to-mid 60s. For families with children, the river side is the preferred swimming area.
The village of Ogunquit behind the beach has a dense cluster of galleries, restaurants, and shops that make it one of the more tourist-oriented beach towns in Maine. The Ogunquit Playhouse, founded in 1933 and one of the oldest summer stock theaters in the US, is half a mile from the beach. Parking at the main lots runs $5 to $10 per hour in summer. The Ogunquit trolley service ($2 per ride) connects the beach to the village and surrounding lots, which is worth using on busy summer weekends.
Best for: Long beach walks, families seeking warmest Maine ocean water, combining with village dining and the Marginal Way Watch out for: Heavy parking fees; very crowded in July and August; trolley is the best strategy on peak days
5. Echo Lake Beach, Mt. Desert Island, 4.7 stars (193 reviews)
Echo Lake Beach is on the west side of Mount Desert Island, about 7 miles from Bar Harbor via Route 198. It is a freshwater lake beach, which is a key distinction: water temperatures here reach the low 70s Fahrenheit in summer, substantially warmer than Sand Beach on the Atlantic side of the island. For visitors who want to swim in Acadia but find the ocean too cold, Echo Lake is the practical solution.
The beach is inside Acadia National Park and access requires the same $35 weekly pass as Sand Beach. The sandy shoreline is backed by birch and spruce forest, with views across the lake toward Bernard Mountain. The beach is small (about 100 yards of sand) and can fill on hot summer days, but it draws fewer visitors than Sand Beach, which most Acadia tourists prioritize.
Facilities include changing rooms, restrooms, and a lifeguard during summer months. The lake is about 64 feet deep at its deepest point, and the water clarity is good. Kayak and canoe rentals are available nearby from private operators during peak season.
Best for: Warmer swimming than Sand Beach, families with young children, kayaking Watch out for: Freshwater lake, not ocean swimming; $35 park pass required; small beach fills on hot days
6. Old Orchard Beach, 4.5 stars (132 reviews)
Old Orchard Beach is the most commercially developed beach town in Maine, about 12 miles south of Portland. The pier here extends 510 feet into the Atlantic and has stood in various forms since 1898. The boardwalk adjacent to it has arcades, carnival rides, fried dough, and souvenir shops, giving Old Orchard a character that is markedly different from the quieter beach towns further south.
The beach itself stretches for about 7 miles, which is exceptional by Maine standards. The sand is broad and gently sloping, making it one of the easier beaches in the state for casual swimming. Water temperatures run similar to Ogunquit (low-to-mid 60s in peak summer). Lifeguards are on duty in summer.
The town draws a strong Canadian tourism contingent, particularly from Quebec, due to its proximity and direct bus connections from Montreal. French is widely spoken and posted in many businesses. Parking is plentiful but paid, running $2 to $5 per hour in the municipal lots.
Best for: Boardwalk atmosphere, long flat beach walks, families who want activities beyond the beach itself Watch out for: Very crowded in July and August; more commercial and noisy than other Maine beaches; parking costs add up
7. Surfside Beach, Old Orchard Beach, 5.0 stars (7 reviews)
Surfside Beach is a section of the Old Orchard Beach shoreline that gets consistent wave action relative to the calmer, pier-side sections. With only 7 reviews, the 5.0-star rating reflects a small sample, but the experience it describes is real: this part of the beach catches better surf than the protected sections near the pier.
For bodysurfers, boogie boarders, and beginner surfers, Surfside offers the most reliable wave breaks in the Old Orchard area. The waves are modest compared to dedicated surf beaches in New Hampshire or Massachusetts, but they're functional for learning. The beach faces southeast, which picks up swells from offshore systems better than the more sheltered sections of the 7-mile strand.
Parking and access are shared with the broader Old Orchard Beach area. No dedicated Surfside-specific facilities exist; restrooms and showers are at the main Old Orchard Beach facilities.
Best for: Beginner surfing, bodysurfing, boogie boarding; best waves in the Old Orchard area Watch out for: Small review sample; waves are modest rather than serious surf; access shared with main beach infrastructure
8. Little Hunters Beach, Mt. Desert Island, 4.8 stars (98 reviews)
Little Hunters Beach is on the southeast side of Mount Desert Island, off the Park Loop Road between Sand Beach and Seal Harbor. Unlike Sand Beach, it is a cobblestone and pebble beach rather than a sandy one. The stones here, rounded granite and basalt in various shades of gray, pink, and rust, have been shaped by centuries of wave action and create a visual texture that draws photographers and artists.
The beach is small and sees relatively low foot traffic compared to Sand Beach, which is just a few miles north. The tidal pools at the edges of the cove hold the same marine life found throughout the Acadia coastline: urchins, periwinkles, mussels, crabs, and occasionally small fish trapped in the rock pools as the tide recedes. The sound of waves rolling and receding over the smooth cobblestones is distinctively different from a sandy beach and is something visitors often mention in reviews.
Swimming here is uncomfortable due to the cobblestones underfoot. The beach is best visited at low tide for tide pool exploration and photography. It sits directly on the Park Loop Road with a small pullout for parking, and it is accessible with the $35 Acadia weekly pass.
Best for: Tide pool exploration, photography, combining with the Park Loop Road drive, geology interest Watch out for: Not suitable for swimming or sunbathing; limited parking; $35 park pass required
Practical Notes for Maine Beach Visits
Water temperature: Southern Maine (Ogunquit, Old Orchard Beach) peaks at 62 to 66 degrees Fahrenheit in late July and August. Acadia and Mount Desert Island beaches peak at 55 to 60 degrees. Echo Lake, a freshwater alternative, reaches 70 to 72 degrees in summer.
Season: The practical swimming season runs from early July to Labor Day. Outside that window, the beaches are accessible but water is cold. Shoulder seasons (June and September) offer excellent conditions for walking and hiking but not comfortable swimming.
Parking: Most Maine beach parking is paid, running $2 to $10 per hour at the major beaches. Acadia requires a $35 weekly vehicle pass. Old Orchard and Ogunquit both have large municipal lots, but they fill by late morning in July and August.
Getting there: Ogunquit is 70 miles north of Boston (about 80 minutes). Old Orchard Beach is 12 miles south of Portland. Bar Harbor and Acadia are 280 miles north of Boston (4.5 to 5 hours). The Downeaster Amtrak train connects Boston to Portland (about 2 hours, $25 to $50) with bus connections to some beach towns.
Beach access: Maine has a strong public trust doctrine for tidal zones, meaning the public generally has the right to use the intertidal zone (between high and low tide marks) on any beach, even those backed by private property. Above the high tide mark, access depends on permission or public easements. Most named beaches in this list have dedicated public access points.