East End Beach--Portland, Maine
East End Beach is the City of Portland's only public beach. Located at the Eastern Promenade, the pebbly beach offers great views of Casco Bay. There are changing rooms and restrooms and a few picnic tables, but no lifeguard or food. Parking is limited (70 cars).
Willard Beach--South Portland, Maine
Nearly a mile long, Willard Beach, with its view of Spring Point Lighthouse and Fort Preble, also appeals to families because of its fine sand and gentle surf. There are restrooms, lifeguards, and parking for 75 cars.
Crescent Beach--Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Located eight miles south of Portland on Route 77, mile-long Crescent Beach (part of the State Park) is popular with families due to its gentle surf. The beach is rocky towards the water but sandy at the top. The park has a snack bar, picnic tables, bike racks, restrooms, cold water showers, lifeguards, and plenty of parking. 207-799-5871
Higgins Beach--Scarborough, Maine
There's limited public access to this very walkable sandy beach off Route 77 in Scarborough. The large waves attract surfers. Parking is a problem because the beach is in a residential area that allows no parking on the side of the street except for a few spots right along the beach. No lifeguards.
Scarborough Beach--Scarborough, Maine
This beautiful white sand beach with low sand dunes, good surf, and warm water is located on Black Point Road (Route 207) near Prouts Neck, 15 minutes south of Portland, and connects with Higgins Beach. Changing rooms, toilets, lifeguards, and 500 parking spaces. 207-883-2416
Ferry Beach/Western Beach--Scarborough, Maine
There are two Ferry Beaches, this small Scarborough town beach off Black Point Road, and Ferry Beach State Park in Saco (see below). You can look across the Bay on a clear day and see a long stretch of white sand that makes up Pine Point, Old Orchard, and Saco beaches. The beach is sheltered from ocean winds. No lifeguard.
Pine Point Beach--Scarborough, Maine
On the northern end of 7-mile long Old Orchard Beach lies Pine Point Beach on East Grand Avenue in Scarborough, with soft white sand, dunes, and dune grasses. At low tide, the hard-packed sand is great for walking or jogging. A snack bar, toilets, and parking are available at the 5th Street entrance.
Old Orchard Beach--Old Orchard Beach, Maine
Old Orchard Beach, minutes south of Portland, is Maine's number one beach and is most popular with tourists. The seven miles of sand is soft and white, there's good surf, and the carnival atmosphere and many take-out, pizza, and fast food places around the pier attract young people and families. The beach is wide enough to provide plenty of room for beach games and sports. During the summer months, the town offers free concerts, street dances and weekly fireworks displays over the beach. There's a bath house on West Grand Avenue across from Palace Playland, showers, plenty of parking (for a fee), and lifeguards. To park at Memorial Park across from the Chamber of Commerce, take Route 5 to Staple Street. The fee is $4 to $7 per day. Prices at private lots in the area range from $5 to $10.
Ferry Beach State Park--Saco, Maine
Off Maine Route 9 on Bay View Road between Old Orchard Beach and Camp Ellis in Saco, this State Park offers views of miles of white sand beaches between the Saco River and Pine Point, swimming, changing room, picnic area, nature trails, and guided nature programs. The park is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with lifeguards, and there is parking for 120 cars. The standard fee for admission to State parks applies. 207-283-0067
