It's seems like Mainers crave "secret beaches" more than ever before. With so many tourists in the…read moresummer time, the usual haunts can be overcrowded and offer limited parking and costly fees (because tourists are actually willing to wait in lines and fork over cash for an authentic coastal exeprience). Because going to the beach is sacred for me (I'm a mermaid, afterall) I am one of those locals looking for a spot where I can sun in splash in peace. I had heard of Laudholm Beach in passing, and decided one hot Friday to seek it out. Just a fortyish minute drive from Portland brought me to the Wells Reserve where you can access this beach after walking the Barrier Beach Trail (stay on it until it brings you out of the woods and over a wooden staircase). It's a dream come true: impressive and expansive views of sparkling Atlantic Ocean, piping plovers, waves, (comparatively) warm water, lobster boats, and limited people (and most of that small number are just here to walk the length of the beach before returning whence they came). There are quite a few rocks to navigate past at first, but that's what keeps most people at bay. You can pull up a patch of sand and spend hours uninterrupted here, or you can explore a bit and find mud flats and salt marshes that help protect various beach life (birds, fish, plants). Just be warned... at high tide there is little to no beach . Not an exaggeration. My walk back to the trail was partially in water (and back over those aforementioned rocks making it a bit dangerous...what's life without adventure though?!). Happy to know this place exists for when my other "secret" spots are overtaken by the loud, rude, non-mermaid believers.

We visited the Wells Reserve at Laudholm and decided to hike to this beach which lacks the crowds…read moregenerally found at Maine beaches. Unless your are private landowner near the beach, this is the only way to access the beach.

The nicest beach that we visited in the Kennebunkport area. Clean and spacious. Parking is limited.read more

Beautiful and private (at least in late September). So happy to have randomly discovered!read more

This may be one of my favorite areas in Wells next to the Estuarine. But def my fav beach. Plenty…read moreof space and tho popular not over crowded. There is town parking 1/3 mi from the beach at $5/hr or just ride your bike. We actually had a whale pod sighting today!

If you want a quieter beach than the madness of Ogunquit, then come to Drake's Island beach,…read morequieter, more locals and very laid back, I spent a whole day here by myself. Kennebunkport, Wells, Ogunquit and York are all side-by-side seaside communities along the Maine coast and they all have their own beaches as well. It really depends on what you're looking for but if you want a locals-only beach then this would be it. Also if you plan on swimming and not just dipping in quickly, try to find a spot on the estuary side as opposed to the ocean side, the water is easily 20 degrees warmer on the estuary side. Parking here is at about $5 /30 minutes and paid by machine and credit card only.

This quarter-mile long crescent-shaped beach is not far from the Nubble Lighthouse though you can't…read moresee it from here. The park has public restrooms (closed because of the pandemic), seasonal lifeguards, metered parking, a playground, basketball courts and a gazebo. A walkway follows the beach and includes several benches if you'd like to have a seat and look at the water. [Review 14906 overall, 408 of 2021, number 88 in Maine.]

After seeing and hearing how busy Ogunquit Beach is we were pleased to hear from a local about York…read moreBeach (about a 15 drive from Ogunquit). The parking lot is by permit only but there is plenty of free street parking around (apparently the 2 Hour Parking signs are not enforced). The beach is very deep/wide (not sure the right descriptor for distance from sand to waterline) - a few 100 feet at low tide but only 10 feet or so at high tide. There are free restrooms and an outdoor shower head/foot wash station. Lifeguard on duty as well. There are some large kelp beds in the water but if you go out past them, the water is clear - we saw various clam shells and a few stripped bass swimming.

every five seconds the water was barely above my ankles and the lifeguards kept whistling at me…read morewhen there was like seven year-old were more deep than me. They weren't surfboarders. Just normal kids this has happened every single time I've been there. The waves were not high. They weren't. strong

Mother's Beach in Kennebunk is a small, quiet, and sandy spot that is wonderful for a peaceful day…read moreby the water. The calm waves and gentle slope make it an ideal place to relax and enjoy the coastal views. It has a cozy neighborhood feel and is located right near a nice playground for kids. This lovely little beach is a hidden gem for anyone looking to escape the busier crowds.

This is a beautiful beach, parking can be tough though. Otherwise the beach is great for walks and…read morea short swim!

This inn has a back to the past feel that is perfect for those quiet travelers who can appreciate…read morethe solitude and peace of nature. It is a block away from the Atlantic Ocean and beach. It is operational seasonally and closes the end of October. After reading recent reviews, the facts in them are true! This is not a HOTEL, there are no elevators, minibars, pools, daily maid service and plenty of stairs to climb. The place is a couple of hundred years old but pretty well maintained and my room was very clean. I booked a larger room on the first floor that was pretty quiet and very clean. The furniture was basic, had a minifridge and large bathroom. Coffee and muffins were put out for all at 7 AM and coffee and cookies at 2 PM. There is a restaurant on premises that serves breakfast starting at 8 AM and dinner from 4 to 9 PM. The bar is open during dinner hours only. So, this is a basic B&B in an out of the way beach town. DO NOT come here if you need modern furniture/wall art, minibars, pools, in room coffee or need pampering. Do not bring kids. Stay at one of the chain motels along the highway. You'll be happier!

(SIDE NOTE: I usually come to Higgins during the off season, so I can't speak to what it's like in…read morethe height of summer.) I always like walking Higgins. There's a shipwreck from 1897 there! I don't know if any other locals have noticed, but it seems like it's less and less exposed (the sands seem to be shifting a lot) these past few years. But the last time we came at low tide, it *was* there with its incredible ecosystem that exists in its adjacent tide pools! Higgins is super popular with: 1. Surfers! 2. People walking their doggos! 3. Plovers! There is an incredible amount of signage here in spring/summer educating and informing folks about where they can't bring their dogs because of the nesting area of our endangered/near-threatened shorebirds. If you're visiting: please, please pay attention to this and respect where both you and your four-legged friend can't run around in. It's tough parking here (from May 1st to September 15th if you park on the road you have to pay an hourly fee; there's also a public lot a few blocks away that's $10 a day), but it's a beautiful space with an expansive stretch of sand with a tidal river to the left.

Beautiful clean water and sand... I think the cost is ridiculous.. they should adjust that. $5 for…read moreevery adult and $3 for kids is crazy it cost me $38 for my family alone not to mention what the others in my party paid just to go to the beach. There are not any food stands so you must bring your own food. So why such a high cost? It was a great day though, I love lake water and this lake was definitely one of the nicer ones

This beach is fine for launching the boat. I WON'T swim here. The beach is covered with goose/duck…read morepoop. You can't walk without stepping in it! It's gross. a They have a nice playground for the kiddos that is located outside of the beach gates. They charge enough to get in, you would think they would do more to keep it free of birds.