13 Best Maine Beaches To Catch Sunrises
Maine is home to one of the longest coastlines in the United States with a tide coastline (which includes all of the inlets and bays in Maine) of 3,478 miles. Among the many miles of coastline are dozens of beautiful beaches which are well worth seeking out. Thousands flock to the beaches of Maine every day in the summer months to enjoy swimming, boating, kayaking, and sunbathing. In the offseason, the beaches are great places to enjoy lowkey walks. But, any time of the year is a good time to catch a sunrise at a Maine beach.
This blog post features the 13 best beaches to see the sunrise in Maine:
Colony Beach
- Town: Kennebunkport
- Length: 150 ft
- Directions: Here
Colony Beach in Kennebunkport, Maine is located at the mouth of the Kennebunk River. The beach is very small and has limited parking, but the beach is beautiful and the views are stunning. In the summer, the beach is great for fishing, sun bathing, swimming and boat watching. In the off-season, the beach is a great place for walking and relaxing. One cool feature to check out is the jetty which can be walked on when the weather is calm,
Crescent Beach
- Town: Cape Elizabeth
- Length: 1 mile
- Directions: Here
Crescent Beach is located in the town of Cape Elizabeth within Crescent Beach State Park. The park was opened in 1966 and it has since become one of the most popular beaches in the state. The beach boasts white sand, boardwalks, grass-studded sand dunes, herring gulls, picnic areas, and views of fishing boats and offshore islands. The mile-long beach does resemble a crescent, hence its name.
Drake’s Island Beach
- Town: Wells
- Length: 2,800 ft
- Directions: Here
Drake’s Island Beach is located just north of Wells Harbor in Wells, Maine. The beach stretches nearly 3,000 feet and it is a great place to visit any time of the year. There is paid parking during the summer months and dogs are allowed after 6pm in the summer (or anytime in the off-season).
Gooch’s Beach
- Town: Kennebunk
- Length: 0.6 mile
- Directions: Here
There are three Maine beaches in the Kennebunk Area and Gooch’s Beach is the largest and most popular. Gooch’s Beach is located just south of the mouth of the Kennebunk River and is shaped like a crescent. The sand is soft and the surf is good. Gooch’s is popular year-round. There are swimmers, sunbathers, and fishers in the summer along with walkers, dogs, and surfers in the winter.
Goose Rocks Beach
- Town: Kennebunkport
- Length: 3 miles
- Directions: Here
Goose Rocks Beach is the largest beach in Kennebunkport as it stretches for over 3 miles. The beach features soft sand, gentle surf, and views of nearby islands. The beach is actually named for Goose Rocks barrier reef that lies offshore. The reef is visible at extreme low tides.
Higgins Beach
- Town: Scarborough
- Length: 0.6 miles
- Directions: Here
Higgins Beach in Scarborough, Maine is a great beach to visit any time of the year. The beach is just 7 miles south of Portland and measures about 0.6 miles long. This makes it a perfect place to catch sun and surf in the summer or take a walk on in the winter. One really cool thing to check out is a shipwreck from 1897 which can be viewed at low tide!
Long Sand Beach (York Beach)
- Town: York
- Length: 2 miles
- Directions: Here
Long Sand Beach, also called York Beach, is a lovely 2 mile beach in York, ME. The beach features white sand, rocks, and good surf. In the summer you will find the beach packed with people, but in the off-season there are still plenty of people walking and surfing. One of the coolest features of the beach is the beautiful ocean vista that includes views of Cape Neddick and Nubble Light. Long Sand Beach provides amazing views for photographers.
Ogunquit Beach
- Town: Ogunquit
- Length: 3.5 miles
- Directions: Here
Ogunquit Beach is another beach in southern Maine that is a must-visit. The beach is located in Ogunquit, ME and stretches for about 3.5 miles. There is white sand, gentle surf, and footbridges to enjoy. The Ogunquit River can be found at the southern end of the beach which is a fun fresh water spot.
Old Orchard Beach
- Town: Old Orchard Beach
- Length: 7 miles
- Directions: Here
Old Orchard Beach, commonly referred to as “OBB”, is an amazing 7-mile beach in Old Orchard, Maine. The beach has been an extremely popular spot for nearly 200 years among summer tourists. One of the key features of Old Orchard Beach is its pier that extends well-over 1,000 feet over the ocean. The pier features shops, restaurants, and even a casino where Frank Sinatra once visited. If you are looking for good views and good fun, Old Orchard Beach is your spot!
Popham Beach
- Town: Phippsburg
- Length: 0.5 mile
- Directions: Here
Popham Beach is a uniquely situated beach in Phippsburg, Maine. On the south side of the beach is the mouth of the Kennebec River, while on the north side of the beach is the Morse River. Aside from its unique geography, Popham Beach features white sand and stunning views of offshore islands, including Fox and Wood island. Popham Beach State Park also boasts 500 acres which means there is plenty to explore!
Scarborough Beach
- Town: Scarborough
- Length: 2 miles
- Directions: Here
Scarborough Beach is a long beautiful beach that offers some of the best swimming in New England. The beach features water temperatures in the high 60’s throughout July and August. Be sure to get to the beach early in the summer because the parking lot fills up very early.
Wells Beach
- Town: Wells
- Length: 7 miles
- Directions: Here
Wells Beach because is a beautiful beach to visit anytime of the year. In the summer, you will find plenty of people enjoying the sun and surf. In the off-season, people flock to the beach to walk and surf. The low tide at Wells Beach can be pretty dramatic and extend the beach to become around a half mile wide! Wells, Maine is home to many amazing beaches and Wells Beach is surely one to check out!
Willard Beach
- Town: South Portland
- Length: 0.5 mile
- Directions: Here
Willard Beach is a small sand and pebble beach tucked between Fisherman’s Point and the campus of Southern Maine Community College in a quiet neighborhood of South Portland. Although it’s just four acres in size, the beach hugs Simonton Cove and is enjoyed immensely by visitors and locals alike. Beachgoers can enjoy the sand, surf, and sun while watching ferries and lobster boats go by. Be sure to check out the old fishing shacks too!
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