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It’s summer in Maine, and this year, it’s already extremely hot. With thick humidity and abundant sunshine, there is one thing I want to do: have a beach day.

I was surprised when I discovered that Maine has some amazing beaches where you can cool off.

Best Beaches In Maine For A Beach Day

Here are my picks for the best beaches in Maine, from someone who has had a beach day at each of them.

1. Old Orchard Beach

Location: Old Orchard

Cost: Free

Some love it, some hate it, but Old Orchard Beach is one of my favorite places for a beach day.

It has that boardwalk charm of the Jersey Shore, with arcade games, boardwalk fries, and pizza slices.

The beach was very crowded when we visited. First, we laid out and caught some waves.

I would say this beach has some of the best boogie board waves because of where they break near the pier.

After laying out, visit the pier, and enjoy an ice-cold blueberry beer. We gazed out at the beach from the window and watched the surfers below.

Don’t miss out on grabbing a slice and exploring the food options as well. And, as always, keep an eye out for the seagulls.

2. Crescent Beach State Park

Location: Cape Elizabeth

Cost: Adult Maine residents: $4.50 – Adult non-Maine residents: $6.50

There are a few beautiful beaches in Maine’s state parks, and Crescent Beach is one of them. This Maine state park is in the picturesque Cape Elizabeth area, just an 18-minute drive south of Portland.

Crescent Beach State Park is known for its sandy crescent-shaped beach, hence the name.

The beach is well-maintained and offers a picturesque setting for visitors to sunbathe and swim in the summer.

Want to know more? Read my Guide To Crescent Beach State Park In Maine.

Cape Elizabeth is also home to one of the best lobster shacks in the state.

You can read all about that in my Guide To The Lobster Shack At Two Lights. I recommend grabbing some seafood here after your day at Crescent Beach.

3. Ogunquit Beach

Location: Ogunquit

Cost: Free

Ogunquit Beach is one of the most popular beaches in the state, and it’s easy to see why.

First, it is one of the best beach towns in Maine, packed with restaurants, shops, and much more.

The beach is clean and stretches for miles, making it a perfect place for a beach day. It is important to note that parking can be quite challenging here.

Once the main lot fills up, you’ll have to find parking farther away at one of the lots around town.

We found a lot for $10, which was on someone’s lawn.

If you are walking from town, you’ll have to take the long road in, which can be cumbersome when carrying coolers and chairs.

Parking at the beach is expensive, around $25 per car.

There are a bunch of places to eat here, too!

My favorite place is Brix & Brine, which has creative cocktails, freshly shucked oysters, and amazing seafood dishes.

Read more about Brix+Brine: The Best Lunch Spot In Ogunquit!

4. Reid State Park

Location: Georgetown

Cost: $6 for Maine residents, $8 for non-residents

Located in Georgetown, Maine, is another beautiful beach away from the hustle and bustle of the coastal beaches we just talked about.

Reid State Park has three beaches, including Mile Beach and Half Mile Beach, which are wide and sandy.

Mile Beach is considered one of the best surfing spots in New England, and the beaches are also great for swimming, boogie boarding, bodyboarding, and walking.

The beach itself is beautifully maintained and earns a spot as one of the best beaches in Maine.

5. Pemaquid Beach

Location: Bristol

Cost: $5 Per Person

Located past Daramascottia, down the peninsula of Bristol, is Pemaquid Beach.

We chose Pemaquid Beach to have a beach day when visiting Boothbay Harbor.

I was surprised by how nice this beach was, and while you won’t find big waves, it is a nice place to go for a swim and float around.

You have to grab a ice-cold lemonade from Mimi’s on the Beach, which is the restaurant on site.

It came in a huge bucket and was the perfect way to cool off at the beach.

After you are done with your beach day, head over to Pemaquid Seafood! Their lobster roll was out of this world.

6. Sand Beach in Acadia

Sand Beach stands out in Acadia National Park due to its unique geology.

The beach is between two rocky headlands, Great Head to the east and the Beehive to the west.

The sand is made from crushed shells and granite particles, giving it a soft texture and a slightly pinkish hue.

We laid out our towels and soaked up the sun when visiting Acadia!

You can even take a dip in the chilly water to cool off on a hot day. Sand Beach is an amazing place to have a beach day.

After you’ve soaked up the sun, try The Most Delicious Lobster Rolls Near Acadia National Park.

You can also check out all of my Acadia National Park Guides!

7. Scarborough Beach

Location: Scarborough

Cost: $7 per adult and $6 per child to visit the State Park for the day.

This state park is all about the beach!

Scarborough Beach State Park offers many recreational activities for visitors to enjoy!

Including swimming, sunbathing, beachcombing, picnicking, hiking, birdwatching, and wildlife observation.

Walk where the sand meets the ocean for the best views of the State Park. During low tide, you can also search for seashells and rocks!

Explore More of Maine

Beach season has just kicked off in Maine, and I’ll be exploring more beaches throughout the summer.

Be sure to pin this post and check back for updates.

You should also pair your beach day with a lobster roll! Here are A Local’s Guide to the Best Lobster Rolls in Maine 2025!

Read all of my Maine Travel Guides!

Do you have a favorite beach in Maine? Share it in the comments below!