Southwest Harbor MaineBEACHES & WATERFRONT ESCAPES
Listed below are the best beaches and waterfront escapes near Southwest Harbor, Maine.
1. Echo Lake Beach
WARM FRESHWATER SWIMMING
Echo Lake Beach offers one of the best swimming experiences in Acadia National Park with a dedicated swimming area separate from other water activities. The lake's water temperature is typically 10-20 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the ocean during summer months, making it more comfortable for swimming. Visitors can enjoy the scenic surroundings while relaxing on this freshwater beach just outside the town limits of Southwest Harbor.
2. Seawall Coastline
DRAMATIC OCEAN VIEWS
Seawall Coastline features a naturally formed rock formation that creates a staircase-like structure down to the shoreline, showcasing the power of ocean tides and currents. This unique geological feature offers visitors a dramatic vantage point to witness the raw beauty of the Atlantic Ocean crashing against the rocks. The location is particularly renowned for its spectacular sunset views, making it a must-visit spot for photographers and nature enthusiasts alike.
3. Long Pond
SERENE FRESHWATER RECREATION
Long Pond is a pristine freshwater body located on Mount Desert Island with easy access to its southern shore within Southwest Harbor limits. Sometimes referred to as Great Long Pond to distinguish it from its namesake on Isle au Haut, this scenic lake offers various recreational activities including swimming, kayaking, and fishing. The calm waters and surrounding forest create a peaceful retreat for visitors seeking a break from the more crowded coastal areas.
4. Somes Sound Overlook
FJORD-LIKE WATER VIEWS
Somes Sound Overlook provides breathtaking views of the only fjord-like body of water on the eastern seaboard of the United States. Visitors can watch the sunset over Somes Sound while enjoying refreshments at nearby establishments like Batson River Fish Camp, which offers craft beers and signature cocktails. The dramatic landscape of this narrow inlet cutting into Mount Desert Island creates a unique waterfront experience unlike any other in the region.
5. Ship Harbor Nature Trail
COASTAL TRAIL EXPERIENCE
Ship Harbor Nature Trail offers a scenic 1.3-mile figure-eight loop that takes hikers through spruce forests to a protected harbor cove. The trail features beautiful coastal views, tide pools to explore at low tide, and opportunities to observe diverse marine life. Visitors can access this waterfront hiking experience from the Ship Harbor Nature Trailhead located in the Southwest Harbor area of Acadia National Park.
6. Wonderland Trail
EASY OCEANFRONT PATH
Wonderland Trail provides an accessible 1.4-mile round-trip path that leads to a spectacular rocky shoreline on the southern side of Mount Desert Island. The relatively flat trail is family-friendly and rewards hikers with tide pools, wave-sculpted rocks, and panoramic ocean views. Visitors can access this popular coastal trail via the Wonderland Trail Trailhead in Southwest Harbor, though parking is often limited to roadside spaces.
7. Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse
ICONIC COASTAL LANDMARK
Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse stands dramatically atop a rocky cliff where visitors can experience one of the most photographed coastal scenes in Maine. Built in 1858, this historic lighthouse offers spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and nearby islands from its dramatic perch. A short trail leads down to the shoreline where photographers often gather at sunset to capture the lighthouse silhouetted against the colorful sky.
8. Sand Beach
RARE OCEAN SWIMMING
Sand Beach is a unique 290-yard-long natural sand beach nestled between mountains and rocky shores in Acadia National Park. Despite the chilly water temperatures that rarely exceed 55°F (13°C) even in summer, visitors flock to this rare sandy ocean beach on Mount Desert Island for swimming and sunbathing. The beach is surrounded by spectacular scenery including the entrance to the Great Head Trail and views of the Beehive formation.
9. Jordan Pond
CRYSTAL CLEAR WATERS
Jordan Pond offers an incredibly clear freshwater experience with visibility sometimes reaching depths of 45 feet in its pristine waters. The pond is nestled between rolling mountains with the distinctive Bubble Mountains creating a picturesque backdrop for waterfront relaxation and photography. While swimming is not permitted due to the pond being a public water supply, visitors can enjoy kayaking, canoeing, or dining with a view at the historic Jordan Pond House.
10. Hadley Point Beach
CALM BAY SWIMMING
Hadley Point Beach offers a more secluded waterfront experience on the northern side of Mount Desert Island with views across Eastern Bay. The beach features a gradually sloping, pebbly shoreline that makes it ideal for families with children who want to wade in the relatively calmer and slightly warmer bay waters. Visitors can enjoy swimming, beachcombing, picnicking, and watching the dramatic tidal changes that can expose extensive mudflats at low tide.