There are a lot of opinions on which beach in Southern Maine is the best. Ask ten locals, and you’ll get ten different answers, and honestly, all of them are right.

The truth is, Southern Maine doesn’t have one great beach. It has several, each with its own personality. The right beach for you depends on what kind of day you’re looking for.

Here’s what we’d tell our friends.

1. Old Orchard Beach

If you’ve heard of one beach in Maine, it’s probably this one. Seven miles of wide, flat sand stretching along the coast with a classic pier, carnival rides at Palace Playland, and more places to grab fried dough and ice cream than you’ll ever need.

Old Orchard is loud, fun, and a little chaotic in the best way. It’s a full experience, not just a beach day. Families love it. Groups love it. People who want a beach town with actual energy love it. The pier at golden hour is genuinely one of our favorite things about summer here.

Come hungry, bring the kids, and don’t stress about finding something to do. The beach takes care of that for you.

Best for: Families, first timers, anyone who wants a classic beach town atmosphere.

2. Pine Point

Pine Point is what happens when you take everything good about Old Orchard Beach and turn the volume down a little.

It sits just north of OOB, separated by the Scarborough Marsh, and it has a completely different feel. It’s quieter and more residential, the kind of place where people have been coming back every summer for twenty years and plan to keep doing it.

The beach itself is beautiful and tends to be less crowded than its neighbor down the road. There are a handful of good spots to grab food nearby, and the marsh views on the drive in are worth slowing down for.

Locals are a little protective of Pine Point and we understand why. It still feels like the Maine coast is supposed to.

Best for: People who want a quieter beach with a real neighborhood feel.

3. Scarborough Beach

If you want to actually get in the water and feel something, Scarborough Beach is your spot.

This is the beach with real waves (the kind that knock you sideways if you’re not paying attention). It’s a state park beach, which means it’s well maintained, has facilities, and fills up on hot weekends. Get there early in peak summer if you want a good spot.

The swimming here is some of the best in Southern Maine. Boogie boards, body surfing, or just standing in the break and letting the Atlantic remind you it’s in charge. Scarborough Beach doesn’t mess around.

Best for: Swimmers, wave chasers, people who take their beach days seriously.

4. Higgins Beach

Higgins Beach is small, residential, and fiercely loved.

It sits in Scarborough just south of Portland and has a personality that’s hard to describe until you’ve been there. Surfers in the morning catching the early swells. Families spreading out in the afternoon. A quiet neighborhood of houses behind the dunes that have probably been in the same families for generations.

There’s no boardwalk, no pier, no carnival. Just a beautiful stretch of sand, good waves, and the feeling that you’ve found something worth protecting. Parking is limited and the beach can fill up, so plan accordingly.

Best for: Surfers, people who grew up coming here, anyone who wants a beach with real character.

5. Ferry Beach

Ferry Beach might be the best kept secret on this list.

Tucked inside Ferry Beach State Park in Saco, this one requires a short walk through wooded trails to reach the water. That walk alone is worth it. The trees open up to a quieter, less crowded beach that feels genuinely removed from the summer chaos, even on a busy weekend.

The state park setting means clean facilities, well kept trails, and a natural buffer from the crowds. It’s the kind of beach you find on a slow afternoon and immediately start planning to come back to.

Best for: Nature lovers, people who want to feel like they discovered something, families who prefer a quieter pace.

A Few Things Worth Knowing

Southern Maine beaches can fill up fast on hot weekends in July and August. Early mornings are always worth it. The light is better, the parking is easier, and you get the beach mostly to yourself before the crowds arrive.

Water temperatures here are cold by most standards. Refreshing is the word locals use. You’ll get used to it, and on a hot August afternoon, it feels pretty perfect.

And wherever you end up, grab a lobster roll at a picnic table afterward. It’s not optional.

All of our properties in Southern Maine put you within easy reach of these beaches. If you’re still figuring out where to base yourself for your trip, we’re happy to help you find the right fit. Browse our available properties here, or reach out directly. We know the area well, and we love helping people plan a trip worth remembering.