What kind of beach vibe are you after?
You want a long stretch of sand? Try Goose Rocks Beach or Gooch’s Beach.
You want a smaller, rocky beach with fewer people? Check out Middle Beach.
Want a smaller beach with protected waters good for young children? Get to Colony Beach or Mother’s Beach.
Want tidepools and a playground? Definitely Mother’s Beach.
Need a beach with portable restrooms? Gooch’s and Mother’s Beaches have porta-potties.
Want a beach with free parking? Colony Beach is the only beach that doesn’t require a paid parking pass (but spots fill quickly in the summer.)
We have some of the best beaches in Maine, and we are so lucky to have a wide variety of options for your perfect day at the beach. We break it down below
Goose Rocks Beach (King’s Highway, off Route 9, Kennebunkport)
At three miles long, Goose Rocks Beach is a favorite with walkers as well as the sand pail set. The beach is wide, smooth, sandy and affords wonderful views of Timber Island, just off the coast. Parking permits are required ($25/$100/$200; note that Kennebunk permits cannot be used here) and are available at Town Hall and the Goose Rocks General Store; there is also a ticket kiosk at the corner of Proctor and King’s Highway. For information, call the Kennebunkport Town Hall at (207) 967-4243.
Colony Beach (Ocean Avenue in Kennebunkport)
This is a small beach with free parking (no permit required) perfect for families because it is small and the ocean water is somewhat protected by the jetty. It has a long rock jetty that is a popular spot from which to fish or those looking for a great vantage point of the beach and ocean.
Gooch’s Beach (Beach Avenue, Kennebunk)
This is the longest stretch of sand in Kennebunk, perfect for sunning, swimming, surfing, walking and running. There are lifeguards July and August, and porta-potties during the summer season. Parking along the beach is by permit only, available at ticket kiosks at each end of the beach, or via PassPortParking mobile app. Daily rate is $25 or $100 for the week. Free parking is sometimes available along the side streets. For information, call the Kennebunk Town Hall at (207) 985-2102.
Middle Beach (Beach Avenue, Kennebunk)
This is a short stretch of rocks between Gooch’s and Middle Beach, which is ideal for those who love to hunt for beach stones. It’s also the last to fill up on a hot summer’s day, so it tends to be the least crowded of any of the beaches. Just be sure to bring a chair if you plan to sit because those rocks don’t make it easy to lay on a towel. Parking is by permit only, available at a ticket kiosk near at Narragansett Point, on the northern end of the beach, or via PassPortParking mobile app. Daily rate is $25 or $100 for the week. For information, call the Kennebunk Town Hall at (207) 985-2102.
Mother’s Beach (Beach Avenue, Kennebunk)
Mother’s Beach is a small sandy beach with water that is somewhat protected from the open ocean, so the waves tend to be better for young children. Plus it has tidepools between high and low tides, and KBIA offers a great seaside playground for all ages. Parking is by permit only, available at a ticket kiosk near the playground or via PassPortParking mobile app. Daily rate is $25 or $100 for the week. If you want to chance it, free parking is sometimes available along the side streets. For information, call the Kennebunk Town Hall at (207) 985-2102.
Parsons’ Beach (Parson’s Beach Road, off Route 9, Kennebunk)
Though access to this beach is technically private, neighbors there offer public access via Parson’s Beach Road off Route 9. There is very limited parking (best to get there before 9 AM on a hot summer’s day) so the beach tends to be very sparsely populated.
Accessibility Options
Mother’s Beach in Kennebunk has an ADA-compliant Mobi-Mat. The woven polyester mat helps those with mobility issues access the beach more easily. Beach wheelchairs and floats are available for rent for a small fee in Kennebunk and Kennebunkport. To rent one, contact Kennebunk Recreation (207) 604-1335 or Kennebunkport Parks & Recreation (207) 967-4304.
Need a beach chair? Kennebunk Outfitters offers chair rentals and fishing poles by the day ($15) or by the week ($60).