Southern Maine Beach Hop: 3-Day Coastal Escape

Southern Maine’s beaches are the state’s warmest and sandiest, perfect for a classic beach vacation without the trek to the Midcoast. This 3-day itinerary hits the best beaches, charming seaside villages, and iconic Maine experiences—all within an hour of Portland.

Day 1: Kittery to Ogunquit - The Classic Coast

Morning: York

• Nubble Lighthouse (9am) - Pull into Sohier Park, Maine’s most photographed lighthouse
• Short Sands Beach (York Beach) - Walk the beach, arcades nearby
• Brown’s Ice Cream (10am) - Local institution since 1940

Late Morning: Cape Neddick & Ogunquit

• Cliff House (drive-by) - Dramatic oceanfront resort views
• Arrive Ogunquit (11am)
• Marginal Way walk (11am-12:30pm) - 1.25-mile paved clifftop path, spectacular views
• Perkins Cove - Finish walk at this picturesque harbor

Afternoon: Ogunquit Beach Time

• Lunch at Barnacle Billy’s - Waterfront seafood at Perkins Cove
• Ogunquit Beach (2-5pm) - Wide, sandy, beautiful (arrive by trolley from town)
• Beach walk, swim, relax - Maine’s best sandy beach

Evening

• Dinner at MC Perkins Cove - Upscale waterfront dining
• Ogunquit Playhouse (Optional, $50-80) - Professional summer theater
• Drinks overlooking the cove - Several bars with ocean views

Lodging: Ogunquit (many options from motels to boutique inns)

Day 2: Wells to Kennebunkport - Beaches & Bush

Morning: Wells Beaches

• Breakfast at Maine Diner - Featured on Food Network, worth the hype
• Wells Beach (9:30am) - Less crowded than Ogunquit, great for families
• Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge (11am) - 1-mile nature trail, salt marshes

Late Morning: Kennebunk Beaches

• Drive to Kennebunk (15 min)
• Parsons Beach or Middle Beach - Quieter beaches
• Or: Goose Rocks Beach - 3 miles of sand, locals’ favorite

Afternoon: Kennebunkport

• Lunch at The Clam Shack (1pm) - Bridge location, best lobster roll debate
• Dock Square (2pm) - Shopping, galleries, boutiques
• Ocean Avenue scenic drive (3pm) - Walker’s Point (Bush compound), Spouting Rock

Late Afternoon: More Beach or Activities

• Colony Beach - In front of Colony Hotel, postcard perfect
• Or: Coastal kayak tour - 2-hour guided paddle ($60-80)
• Or: Bike the Bridle Path - Scenic coastal trail

Evening

• Dinner at Port Lobster - Casual, waterfront, BYOB
• Ice cream at Rococo - Artisanal flavors
• Sunset at Colony Beach - Bring a blanket

Lodging: Kennebunkport area (or stay in Ogunquit and day trip)

Day 3: Old Orchard Beach & Portland

Morning: Old Orchard Beach

• Drive to Old Orchard (30 min)
• Old Orchard Beach Pier (9:30am) - Classic boardwalk, arcade, nostalgia
• Beach time (10am-12pm) - 7 miles of sand, warmest water in Maine
• Palace Playland - Amusement park if traveling with kids

Late Morning: Scarborough

• Lunch at Ken’s Place - Scarborough, old-school lobster pound
• Scarborough Beach State Park (Optional) - Another beautiful beach option

Afternoon: Portland

• Drive to Portland (20 min)
• Check out of beach lodging, check into Portland hotel (2pm)
• Eastern Promenade (3pm) - Walk the trail, Casco Bay views
• Fort Williams Park & Portland Head Light (4pm) - Lighthouse, beach, park

Evening: Portland Old Port

• Dinner at Eventide Oysters - Brown butter lobster roll, oysters
• Old Port walk (7pm) - Historic architecture, shops, galleries
• Drinks at Novare Res - Belgian beer bar
• Or: Live music - Check listings for shows

Lodging: Portland (end trip here or depart)

Beach Comparison Guide

Best for Swimming: Old Orchard Beach (warmest water) Best for Beauty: Ogunquit Beach (pristine, wide) Best for Families: Wells Beach (gentle, facilities) Best for Solitude: Goose Rocks Beach (residential, quiet) Best for Scenery: Kennebunk beaches (rocky outcrops) Best for Waves: Higgins Beach (surfing)

Essential Beach Info

Water Temperature

• June: 55-60°F (chilly!)
• July: 60-65°F (tolerable)
• August: 62-68°F (warmest)
• September: 60-65°F (still swimmable)

Beach Passes & Parking

• Most beaches: $5-15 parking
• State parks: $8 adults, $2 kids
• Arrive early: Beaches fill by 11am on hot days
• Metered parking: Have quarters ready

Beach Amenities

All Beaches Have:

• Bathrooms/changing areas
• Snack bars/restaurants nearby
• Lifeguards (summer season)
• Chair/umbrella rentals ($15-30/day)

Dining Highlights

Must-Try Lobster:

• The Clam Shack (Kennebunkport) - Bridge location, iconic
• Ken’s Place (Scarborough) - Old-school lobster pound
• Barnacle Billy’s (Ogunquit) - Waterfront views

Breakfast Favorites:

• Maine Diner (Wells) - TV famous, huge portions
• Congdon’s Donuts (Wells) - Since 1945, whoopie pies
• Amore Breakfast (Ogunquit) - Cozy, excellent

Casual Seafood:

• Bob’s Clam Hut (Kittery) - Fried seafood institution
• Lobster Shack at Two Lights (Cape Elizabeth) - Scenic
• Port Lobster (Kennebunkport) - BYOB, casual

Budget Estimate (per person, 2 sharing)

Lodging: $400-700 (3 nights, varies wildly by season/location) Meals: $200-300 (mix of casual and nice dinners) Beach parking: $30-45 Activities: $50-100 (optional kayak, theater, etc.) Gas: $40-60 (minimal driving) Total: $720-1,205 per person

Budget Tips:

• Stay in Wells or Saco (cheaper than Ogunquit/Kennebunkport)
• Pack beach lunch (supermarket supplies)
• Visit in June or September (half price lodging)
• Free beaches: Wells Harbor, Colony Beach

What to Pack

Beach Essentials:

• Swimsuit(s) - multiple, takes time to dry
• Beach towels (hotels often don’t allow pool towels on beach)
• Sunscreen (SPF 50+ and reapply!)
• Beach umbrella or pop-up tent
• Cooler with drinks/snacks
• Beach chairs (or rent)
• Water shoes (some rocky areas)

Clothing:

• Cover-ups
• Sun hat/sunglasses
• Light layers (evenings cool)
• Casual dining attire
• Rain jacket (just in case)

Other:

• Books/magazines
• Waterproof phone case
• Sand toys (if with kids)
• Camera

Best Time for Beach Vacation

July-August: Warmest water, busiest, most expensive Late June: Lower prices, slightly cooler water, less crowded Early September: Still warm, emptier beaches, prices drop Avoid: Before Memorial Day (too cold) or after Labor Day (chilly water)

Extend Your Trip

Add a Day For:

• Portland exploration - Museums, food scene, islands
• Portsmouth, NH - Just across border, excellent restaurants
• More beaches - Higgins Beach, Crescent Beach, Pine Point
• Inland adventure - Sebago Lake (swim in warmer water!)

Combine With:

• Acadia trip (add 3 days north)
• White Mountains NH (2 hours west)
• Boston visit (90 min south)

Pro Tips

1. Arrive Early: Best parking before 10am
2. Tide Times: Low tide = more beach to spread out
3. Umbrella Essential: Shade limited on sandy beaches
4. Reapply Sunscreen: Every 2 hours, after swimming
5. Evening Dining: Make reservations for nicer restaurants
6. Trolleys: Ogunquit has trolley system, skip parking hassles
7. Weather: Check surf forecast for calmest water days
8. Cool Water: Even August water is 65°F, not Caribbean!

Family-Friendly Additions

With Kids:

• Palace Playland (Old Orchard) - Amusement rides
• York’s Wild Kingdom - Zoo + amusement park
• Funtown Splashtown - Water park (Saco)
• Mini golf - Literally everywhere
• Arcade at York Beach - Classic

Teens:

• Surfing lessons (Higgins Beach)
• Paddle boarding rentals
• Kayak tours
• Whale watching (Portland departure)

Why Southern Maine Beaches?

If you want sandy beaches, warm(er) water, and easy access, Southern Maine beats the Midcoast. The beaches here are actually sandy (not rocky), the water reaches tolerable temperatures, and you’re never more than 90 minutes from Portland’s airport.

This isn’t wilderness Maine—it’s vacation Maine, where families have been coming for generations to rent cottages, eat fried clams, and collect seashells. It’s nostalgia, ice cream cones, and the smell of sunscreen. And sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.