Given the summer temperature of the Atlantic Ocean (from 59 degrees in Ogunquit down to 54 degrees at Bar Harbor), swimming isn’t the primary reason you come to the Maine coast.

But Maine beaches (for instance at York, Wells, the Kenne­bunks, Portland, Popham, and Pemaquid) can be splendid walking, sunning, and kite-flying places.

At Ogun­quit Beach in Ogunquit and in Reid State Park in Georgetown, there are also warmer backwater areas in which small children can paddle.
Other outstanding beaches include
7-mile-long Old Orchard Beach and, nearby, state-maintained Crescent Beach on Cape Elizabeth, Scar­borough Beach in Scarborough, Ferry Beach in Saco, and Sand Beach in Acadia National Park.

The state-maintained freshwater beaches are on Lakes Damariscotta, St. George, Sebec, Rangeley, Sebago, and Moosehead;  also on Pleasant Pond in Richmond. All state beaches include changing facilities, restrooms, and showers; many have snack bars. www.stateparks.com/me.

The town of Bridgton has several fine little lakeside beaches.

Beaches

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