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    Higgins Public Beach

    4.5 (20 reviews)

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    Kids at the beach
    Jordan S.

    Loved the beach! So beautiful!!! Parking was difficult with limited availability near the beach. Paid parking was about two blocks away. Bathrooms were also not available nearby.

    Jordyn B.

    Great find! Clean, quiet beach, lots of surfing (we don't surf but it was fun to watch!). I would love to spend a full day here basking in the sun, playing in the waves, and enjoying the day.

    If you want to surf you better bring a wetsuit
    Brian S.

    Cool water cool views cool people but no parking Higgins Beach is a little local beach tucked away in an area that is difficult to find if you don't know exactly where you are going. That's fine because although the beach is free there is virtually no parking. Just a little loading and unloading zone to dump people off or pick them up. There are several other extremely nice beaches in the area but they all have have steep parking fees. This is a beach for the local people, you either have to have a house nearby, know someone with a house nearby or find a place to park and then ride your bike down here. The beach is pretty small, only a couple of hundreds yards in either direction but because it is rather sheltered and shallow is the water temperature isn't bad by Maine standards. That means the ocean is only cold and not absolutely freezing like many other Maine beaches. However you see lots of people in the 60 degrees water because the people up here are use to it. The beach is typical Maine, plenty of rocks and some great views in the distance. This is definitely not a crazy party beach like Old Orchard and some of the other ones nearby. Lots of quiet families and very polite and friendly people. I suspect stupid and rude behavior will not be tolerated A cool, quiet beach that hasn't changed over the decades. Still has lovely views and some very, very nice and special people. Not easy to find and and you are delusional if you think you are going to locate a place to park. If you are lucky enough to have access to this beach you are a very lucky person. The cool ocean water and great views are something special

    Trying to catch some waves!
    Laura M.

    Nice waves for surfing and a nice beach for relaxing. During high tide it's crazy small, but if you are lucky enough to time your visit during low tide the beach is huge! If you come in the evenings you can park 2 blocks away for free at the welcome center. There are showers and restrooms there as well. You can also park for free for an hour on the street (if there is any).

    Holly B.

    Beautiful beach for hanging out ANY time of year! I bundled up with a book yesterday and watched people playing with their dogs. Great long walk along the surf, as well as a great spot for surfing (so I hear).

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    9 years ago

    It can be a hassle to park, but the beach is beautiful. Great place for kids and families. The water is clear.

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    Review Highlights - Higgins Public Beach

    I suspect stupid and rude behavior will not be tolerated A cool, quiet beach that hasn't changed over the decades.

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    Ferry Beach

    Ferry Beach

    4.8(4 reviews)
    6.8 mi

    My first and last time at the beach in 2020. It was also my first time at a Maine beach and I had…read moreno idea how clean and serene they were. I guess I'm just used to all the garbage and crowds along the Jersey Shore. The only downside is that parking is a bit pricey, at $20 a pop. But if you are an early bird and can make it there before I think either 8 or 9, then parking is only $5. Since we came on a Tuesday (at around noon), there weren't much people around, which was super nice. The weather for that day was only forecasted at the low 70s with some clouds, but it turned out to be a great beach day. It was warm, but not sweltering. Warm enough to go in the water - but only if you're brave. The water was icy cold. But after a while, you just become numb and don't even notice it (lol). There aren't really any waves but there is a very strong current so you definitely don't want to mess around with that. I never went out further than past my stomach, especially since I don't swim very well. Even just standing there with the water up to my waist, I could feel the currents pulling me. The best part of this beach is that it's only a 20-minute drive from Portland. We were visiting for the week and staying in Downtown, and didn't want to drive far to get to a beach so Ferry Beach was perfect for us. If I lived in the area, I would totally get a season pass.

    Very nice small protected beach. The parking lot is also small but I've never had a problem getting…read morea spot. If you live in Scarborough get a beach pass for $40 at city hall. Very nice at low tide with a tidal pool for kids to play in. You can walk the beach all the way to the Black point Inn.

    Photos
    Ferry Beach - Low tide

    Low tide

    Ferry Beach - Low tide

    Low tide

    Ferry Beach

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    Scarborough Beach State Park - Beach

    Scarborough Beach State Park

    4.4(16 reviews)
    2.0 mi

    $10 dollars a person, and an amazing beach! Great waves, plenty of space, and nice staff. Only con…read moreis unless you're here really early, expect to park far away.

    I've only ever been to Scarborough Beach during the "off season" - which to them is around November…read more16th to March 31st - because it's not a part of the Maine State Parks Pass. A note on that: - A Maine State Parks Pass is $55 for an Individual Season Pass, $105 for a Vehicle Season Pass. It gets you into dozens and dozens and dozens of parks across Maine, and most of those parks only really check passes from maybe the beginning of May to the end of September. - For Scarborough Beach State Park, which is operated in a public/private partnership with Black Point Resource Management LLC, from April 1st to October 1st it costs $7 per person per visit for residents/$9 for non-residents; from October 1st to November 15th it costs $6 per person per visit for residents/$8 for non-residents; it's $105 for an Individual Season Pass, $140 for a Vehicle Season Pass, $155 for a 24-hour Season Pass. So... it's *not* one of the cheaper options for beach access in the state. Is it glorious in the summer? I don't know. But according to the folks who own this beach: "Scarborough Beach offers some of the best swimming in New England with water temperatures in the high 60's throughout July and August." Is it glorious in the off season? Yes, but... The "yes": it's a long, sandy beach with uninterrupted views of the ocean. It makes for exceptional strolling and thinking and taking in blue space! Know that you have to park on the street, and it's a little bit of a walk to the beach itself, but it's so worth it. The "but": this is one of the most dog-walked beaches I've ever been to (and I rarely see them leashed). Every time I visit there is *a lot* of dog waste bags; one time I found 16 bags of dog poop and 2 used diapers. Yikes.

    Photos
    Scarborough Beach State Park - USLA Lifeguards

    USLA Lifeguards

    Scarborough Beach State Park
    Scarborough Beach State Park - New boardwalk makes getting onto beach easy

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    New boardwalk makes getting onto beach easy

    Old Orchard Beach - Almost every stall is closed

    Old Orchard Beach

    3.6(119 reviews)
    5.8 mi

    I visited Old Orchard Beach in the off-season, so most of the shops, restaurants, and amusements…read morewere closed; but I actually found that to be part of the charm. Without the summer crowds, the beach felt quiet and serene. I could walk for miles along the sand with only the sound of the waves and the gulls for company. The pier was closed, but it was still nice to see it up close and I can imagine how lively it must get in the warmer months. A few local spots were still open and the locals I met were friendly and welcoming! The chilly air gave the town a calm, coastal feel that was really refreshing. If you're looking for the classic seaside excitement, definitely come back in the summer. But if you enjoy peaceful walks, ocean views, and a slower pace, Old Orchard Beach in the off-season has its own quiet beauty.

    Old Orchard Beach is the perfect mix of relaxation and fun, whether you are visiting as a couple or…read morewith the whole family. The West Grand area is especially nice with clean bathrooms, easy access to the sand, and plenty to do nearby. Staying right on the beach at places like Ocean House or Beechwood is ideal. It is so much better than commuting in and out each day. There is something for everyone, big kids, little kids, and kids at heart. From the water to the boardwalk, you will never be bored. Just remember, like at any beach, keep a close eye on the little ones in the waves. If you are not staying overnight, be prepared for parking fees ranging from 20 to 40 dollars per day. But once your feet hit the sand, it is worth every penny. Old Orchard Beach has that classic seaside charm that makes you want to come back year after year like we do.

    Photos
    Old Orchard Beach
    Old Orchard Beach
    Old Orchard Beach - Lifeguard

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    Lifeguard

    Portland Head Light - Portland Head Light

    Portland Head Light

    4.8(365 reviews)
    5.3 mi

    Definitely visit this if you are in Portland, especially on a sunny day. As much as the Lighthouse…read moreis iconic, the scenery around it is mind blowing. You can also take a walk along the cliff to enjoy the view from multiple directions. It is a good spot for picnic as well, and there are a couple of locations which are close to the water as well. Plenty of parking available, there are multiple parking lots along the property. Definitely recommend it.

    While in Portland for lunch, we stopped in some small shops in the area and the lovely lady at the…read moreshop recommended that we check out the lighthouse. She said it was only about 15 minutes from the shop and we decided we would go check it out. The Portland Head Light is one of their most famous light houses according to the locals. It was very cold there but what a sight! We walked round the light house, checked out the cliff sides and walked on the trail. It was a gorgeous day (freezing but beautiful) with the perfect skies for photos of the light house. We were able to read the historic plaques, see the cliffs and the water crashing below us. After visiting the Head Light, we went over to the other portion in Fort WIlliams Park and checked out the old house, military storage areas and I even went down and touched the ice cold Atlantic ocean water that was crashing on the beach. If you are in the area I would highly suggest visiting the Portland Head Light. We were there in the late evening about an hour prior to closing so the coffee truck wasn't open but they do have a coffee & gelato stand right near the Light House. It was an amazing experience and much different than light houses I have seen on the West Coast.

    Photos
    Portland Head Light - Portland Head Light

    Portland Head Light

    Portland Head Light - Lighthouse view

    Lighthouse view

    Portland Head Light - Portland Head Light

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    Portland Head Light

    Higgins Public Beach - beaches - Updated May 2026

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