Part One of "Beaches of Southern Maine" covered Maine's beaches from Portland to Saco. Part Two covered Maine beaches from Saco to Kennebunk, and Part Three covered Maine beaches from Kennebunk to Wells. Part Four covers Maine beaches from Wells to Kittery.
Ogunquit Beach--Ogunquit, Maine
Just south of the beaches of Wells is three-and-a-half miles of white sandy beach in Ogunquit. The public beach is 1620 yards of white sand and warm surf. The northern end is called Foot Bridge Beach because beachgoers walk over a footbridge to reach it. Toilets and a snack bar are available and there are lifeguards in season. The southern end of the beach, accessible by turning onto Beach Road from Route 1 in the center of town, is referred to as Ogunquit Beach. Much of the long strip of sand has no hotels or houses directly on the beach, which is separated from the mainland by the Ogunquit River, creating a protected sand bar on the river side with no surf--perfect for parents with young children. The main beach faces the Atlantic Ocean.
Limited parking areas are available for a fee but the best way to get around in Ogunquit is via the Trolley, which runs through town every 15 to 20 minutes and stops right at the beach (at both ends). Lifeguards, several snack bars, lockers, restrooms, and changing areas are available at the main beach.
Short Sands Beach--York, Maine
Short Sands beach is a small sandy beach tucked into the curve of the north side of the Cape Neddick peninsula. This family-friendly beach with gentle surf offers a bathhouse, outside shower, basketball courts, a playground, arcade, and bowling alley. York's Wild Kingdom Amusement Park and Zoo is very close to the beach, as are shops and restaurants. Lifeguards are on duty during summer. The beach is a short drive (or a nice walk) from Sohier Park and the scenic Nubble Lighthouse.
To reach Short Sands Beach from the Maine Turnpike if you're headed north, take the York exit and follow Route 1A through York Village and York Harbor, past Long Beach. If coming from the South, take Route 1 south and turn off onto Route 1A in Cape Neddick, or take the Shore Road from Ogunquit until it turns into Route 1A South.
Long Beach--York, Maine
There's some question about whether the name of this beach is Long Sands Beach or Long Beach, but whatever you call it, it's 2180 yards of white sand beach popular for swimming, surfing in the designated surfing area, and walking. There's limited parking with parking meters along the side of the road, a changing area and toilets, and lifeguards during summer.
To reach Long Beach from the north, take the Shore Road from Ogunquit and turn left in the middle of town onto Ocean Avenue. Pass Short Sands Beach and the entrance to Sohier Park and the Nubble Light. Ocean Avenue (Route 1A) turns into Long Beach Avenue, which runs the length of Long Sands Beach.
York Harbor Beach--York, Maine
If you follow Route 1A south along Long Beach until it turns into York Street, you'll come to a left hand turn down a steep hill just after the York Harbor Inn on the right. At the bottom of the hill is picturesque York Harbor Beach, a small, quiet curve of sand at the mouth of the York River, with gentle surf and views of a rocky promontory and the Cliff Walk. You can walk along this narrow walkway forged into the rocky cliff, past beautiful historical buildings hugging the coast on your left and great views out over the Atlantic Ocean.
Seapoint Beach-- Kittery, Maine
Seapoint Beach in Kittery is just a few miles south of York Harbor off Route 103. It's a 550-yard sandy crescent beach with gentle surf on the north side of a tiny peninsula and is backed by a marsh, which provides good bird-watching. There are no facilities and limited parking.
To reach Seapoint Beach, take Route 103, Brave Boat Harbor Road, which runs between Kittery and York Harbor, and turn onto Seapoint Road.
Crescent Beach-- Kittery, Maine
Crescent Beach in Kittery, close to Seapoint Beach, is 625 yards long and is also backed by marsh. There's no facilities and limited parking here as well. Crescent Beach is reachable by following Route 103 and turning onto Seapoint Road as you near Kittery Point.
Fort Foster Park--Kittery, Maine
Just south of Seapoint and Crescent Beaches in Kittery (from Route 103, take the next left after Seapoint Road) is Gerrish Island, home to Fort Foster. There are several swimming areas on the island and within Fort Foster Park. Picnic areas, a pavillion, a changing area, and toilets are available, but there are no lifeguards.