5 Best Beaches in Maine for Families
*This post presents the best beaches in Maine for families. It may contain affiliate links, meaning we may receive commissions for purchases made through those links, at no cost to you.
Planning a family getaway to Maine this summer? We’ve got you! Keep reading to discover my handpicked selection of the best beachse in Maine for families – plenty of fun guaranteed!
Maine is one of our favorite destinations for summer vacations with the kids. It’s a true vacation paradise offering some of the prettiest and family-friendly beaches. No matter which ones you end up picking, you won’t be disappointed. With a longer coastline than California, every beach and little beach towns have something unique to offer. Whether you are looking for a quiet spot to relax or a busy beach full of activities, Maine beaches have it all for families.
In this post, we share our top 5 best beaches in Maine for families.
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Is Maine a Great Destination for a Family Beach Vacation?
YES! With miles of pristine shoreline, picturesque seaside towns and breathtaking views, Maine is an absolutely great destination for a family beach vacation. As well as the beautiful beaches, there’s a great holiday atmosphere in the heart of the small towns by the ocean. Ice cream stands, mini-put, arcades, souvenir shops and pretty terraces – there’s everything you need for an unforgettable family holiday.
What’s more, there are plenty of family-friendly accommodation options. There are several hotels located along the main road that links the majority of towns visited by holidaymakers. Most of these hotels have a swimming pool.
Condo and cottage rentals are also very popular with families who come to Maine for their summer holidays. The advantage of this type of accommodation is that families have access to a small, fully-equipped kitchen – which means that they don’t have to eat out for every meal, and therefore cut costs.
Finally, there are also several magnificent campgrounds located in popular Maine towns. We love camping – so we’ve always opted for this type of accommodation on our family trips to Maine. We’ve stayed at Sea-Vu Campground and Sun Outdoors Wells Beach. These two campgrounds are ideally located and are perfect for families camping with kids (swimming pools, kiddie pool, play areas, mini-golf, arcades and much more).
5 Best Beaches in Maine for Families
Let’s move on to the list of the best family beaches in Maine. Here are our 5 favorites – be sure to add them to your Maine family summer holiday itinerary:
1. Ogunquit Beach, Ogunquit
Ogunquit is one of the most popular beach destination in Maine for families for a good reason: Ogunquit Beach is one of the 10 best beaches in the U.S. This 3.5-mile-long beach offers crystal clear water. This beach gets really crowded during summer: you’ll see plenty of families building sandcastles, digging tide pools, and looking for seashells.
There is a big parking lot right at the back of the beach, making it easy to access the beach. However, during the peak season, the parking lot usually gets full really early (this summer, we were the last car allowed to go in at 9:00 AM). Additional private parking lots are available withing walking distance. If you don’t want to walk with all your beach gear, make sure to show up early!
Within walking distance from the beach, you’ll find homemade ice cream shops, family-friendly restaurants and many souvenir shops. There are lifeguards stationed at Ogunquit Beach, making it safer for families to enjoy their day at the beach.
On a more personal note, Ogunquit is without doubt our favourite family beach in Maine. It’s also our kids’ favourite. It’s lively and offers spectacular scenery.
This way, we avoided the rush to find a parking spot and were ready for a great time at the beach with the family.
Family Travel Tip for Ogunquit:
Make sure to arrive early and pick a spot at the back of the beach so you don’t have to move all your stuff during high tide (it happens really quickly!).
➡️ Read Next: Your Guide to The Best Ogunquit Restaurants for Families
2. Short Sands Beach, York
Short Sands Beach is one of the best beaches for families in Maine. Located in the city of York, this beach is a must for families travelling to Maine. The landscape of this beach is magnificent: it is surrounded by rocks on which sumptuous residences are perched. The beach is small (hence the name), but perfect for families searching for sea glass and play in the waves.
Short Sands Beach features a huge playground overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Kids can run free and have fun in this fenced beautiful playground.
This beach was our 5-year-old daughter’s favourite during our last summer trip to Maine. She loved playing in the park, climbing to the top of the structure and imagining pirate games as she looked out over the ocean. She also loved looking for crabs and shells in the rocks by the ocean.
Ease of access to nearby restaurants, shops and attractions make it easy and fun for families spending the day at Short Sands Beach.
A parking lot is located right next to the beach. It tends to fill less quickly than the Ogunquit one but is still pretty popular. Other parking options are available within walking distance.
It’s only a 10-20-minute ride from Ogunquit Beach (depending on traffic).
➡️ Read Next: 10 AWESOME DAY TRIPS FROM BOSTON WITH KIDS
3. Old Orchard Beach, Old Orchard
Old Orchard Beach is probably the most famous beach in Maine and is another family favorite. This beach is extremely popular, especially with families looking for a fun day at the beach. Old Orchard Beach offers a long stretch of 7 miles of sand where you can relax, sunbath, build castles and play.
However, the main attraction for families at Old Orchard Beach is the famous amusement park. At Palace Playland, you’ll find rides to please your children – there are rides for little ones too. The arcade section, right next to the rides, is also a must for a fun family time. In fact, this is where our daughter chose to celebrate her 5th birthday this summer! Old Orchard Beach is a good mix of beach fun (playing in the sand and waves) and attractions (rides and arcades).
Another thing that people are looking for at Old Orchard Beach is its amazing pier. The pier features many restaurants, bars and shops. In our opinion, teenagers are a better audience than young children for these restaurants and shops because of the party atmosphere. Surrounding streets are also filled with family-friendly restaurants and shops.
Old Orchard Beach is a busier and louder beach destination in Maine. It’s ideal for families looking for more than just sunbathing and relaxing on the beach.
Many parking options are available withing walking distance. Old Orchard is a 30-minute drive from Ogunquit.
4. Wells Beach, Wells
Wells Beach is another amazing beach for families in Maine. This beach tends to be quieter than its popular neighbor in Ogunquit. Wells Beach stretches over a mile and half and features sand dunes, seagrass and tidal pools to jump and swim in. The northern point of Wells beach overlooks Maine Harbour – it’s a great spot to look at boats coming in and out from the Harbour to the ocean.
Plan to visit Wells Beach at low tide to be able to fully enjoy this spacious beach.
This is also a great beach to observe some wildlife. You may be able to spot a variety of birds and even some seals, if you are lucky.
There are lifeguards on duty during summer, which makes it a safe beach for families.
At one of the beach’s entry points, you can access a few restaurants, shops and restrooms.
Wells Beach is the best option for families looking for beautiful beach landscapes, but in a quieter atmosphere.
Two parking lots are located within walking distance so you can easily access the beach. The northern parking lot – which is also the one to access the harbour – tends to fill less quickly. It’s your safest bet if you want to go to the beach later in the day.
The city of Wells is just a short drive from Ogunquit. Many restaurants and shops can be found on Route 1 – there is something to please everyone in the family.
5. Birch Point Beach State Park, Owls Head
Birch Point Beach State Park is a perfect secluded spot for families looking for peace and quiet. It definitely is one of Maine’s most beautiful hidden gem. You will find the beach down a dirt road, amidst vacation rentals. This beach is ideal for picnic and fun family times. Make sure to bring all the snacks, food, drinks, and beach gear you’ll need while you’re at the beach as no restaurants or shops are accessible nearby. Also note that no restrooms are accessible at this site.
Conclusion – the Best Family Beaches in Maine
Maine’s coastline is full of family-friendly beaches that offer more than just beautiful views. Whether you’re looking for calm waters for little ones to splash in, scenic picnic spots, or tide pools for exploring, these beaches provide the perfect setting for a fun-filled day by the ocean.
From the iconic shores of Ogunquit Beach to the hidden gems like Birch Point Beach State Park, there’s a beach for every type of family adventure. With easy access, amenities like restrooms and snack bars, and plenty of space to spread out, Maine’s beaches make family trips stress-free and enjoyable.
So pack up the sunscreen, sand toys, and snacks, and head to one of these top family beaches for a perfect summer day. No matter which one you choose, you’re sure to enjoy Maine’s coastal beauty and create some great memories along the way.
PLANNING BEACH GETAWAY IN MAINE? READ THESE POSTS NEXT:
– 7 Best Beach Toys for Toddlers Your Kids Will Love
– BABY BEACH ESSENTIALS: 19 MUST-HAVES FOR BABIES AT THE BEACH
– Your Guide to The Best Ogunquit Restaurants for Families
– 10 AWESOME DAY TRIPS FROM BOSTON WITH KIDS
