North Berwick MaineBEACHES & WATERFRONT ESCAPES
Listed below are the best beaches and waterfront escapes near North Berwick, Maine.
1. Vaughan Woods State Park
SCENIC RIVERSIDE TRAILS
Vaughan Woods State Park is a heavily forested area with various hiking trails resting on the Salmon Falls River. Visitors can explore the natural scenery and sign up for guided tours of the home and forest to learn about local history. The park offers amazing photo opportunities and chances to spot unique birds, including ospreys.
2. Salmon Falls River
PEACEFUL WATERWAY ADVENTURE
Salmon Falls River runs through North Berwick providing a serene waterfront escape for locals and visitors. The river offers excellent opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing throughout the warmer months. Its scenic shores make it a perfect spot for nature lovers looking to connect with Maine's natural beauty.
3. Long Sands Beach
WIDE SANDY SHORELINE
Long Sands Beach is a popular oceanfront destination in York Beach known for its wide, sandy shores. Families can enjoy water play all season long with plenty of space for sunbathing, swimming, and beachcombing. The beach offers excellent views of the Atlantic and is easily accessible from North Berwick with just a short drive.
4. Short Sands Beach
FAMILY-FRIENDLY COVE BEACH
Short Sands Beach is a charming cove beach in York that attracts families looking for oceanfront relaxation. Located in a protected area, the beach offers calmer waters than some of Maine's more exposed beaches. Visitors appreciate the nearby amenities including shops, restaurants, and a playground, making it perfect for a full day of seaside enjoyment.
5. Crescent Beach
CLOSEST BEACH TO BERWICK
Crescent Beach in Wells is the closest beach to the center of Berwick Maine, less than 30 minutes away by car. This crescent-shaped shoreline offers visitors soft sand and gentle waves perfect for swimming and wading. The beach tends to be less crowded than other Southern Maine beaches, providing a more relaxed oceanfront experience.
6. Ogunquit Beach
PREMIER COASTAL DESTINATION
Ogunquit Beach is a stunning 3.5-mile stretch of soft white sand located approximately 20 minutes from North Berwick. The beach is known for its clean shoreline, gentle surf, and tidal river that creates a natural children's swimming pool at low tide. Consistently rated as one of New England's best beaches, it offers bathroom facilities, food vendors, and ample parking for day visitors.
7. Kennebunk Beach
HISTORIC COASTAL GETAWAY
Kennebunk Beach is a collection of sandy beaches including Mother's Beach, Middle Beach, and Gooch's Beach, located within easy driving distance from North Berwick. These connected beaches offer varying experiences from the family-friendly Mother's Beach with its playground to the more expansive Gooch's Beach popular with surfers. The area features historic beach homes, stunning ocean views, and is particularly beautiful during sunset walks.
8. Old Orchard Beach
CLASSIC BEACHFRONT AMUSEMENT
Old Orchard Beach features seven miles of sandy beach and the only beachfront amusement park in New England, located about 40 minutes from North Berwick. Visitors can enjoy the iconic 500-foot pier extending over the Atlantic Ocean with shops, restaurants, and nightlife. The beach town offers a nostalgic seaside experience with carnival games, rides, weekly fireworks in summer, and plenty of family-friendly activities.
9. Drake's Island Beach
QUIETER COASTAL RETREAT
Drake's Island Beach is a quieter alternative to some of Maine's more crowded beaches, located in Wells about 25 minutes from North Berwick. This mile-long sandy beach offers excellent swimming conditions at high tide and fascinating tide pools to explore when the tide recedes. The beach is backed by dunes and residential areas rather than commercial development, creating a more peaceful oceanfront experience for visitors seeking tranquility.
10. Ferry Beach
PINE GROVE SHORELINE
Ferry Beach is a unique oceanfront destination in Saco where a rare maritime sunlit pine forest meets a sandy beach approximately 35 minutes from North Berwick. The beach area features gentle surf making it ideal for families with children who want to swim in the Atlantic. Visitors can enjoy both beach activities and hiking trails through the adjacent Ferry Beach State Park with its diverse coastal ecosystems.