Hampton Beach is New Hampshire's only ocean beach, a lively three-mile stretch along the Atlantic coast backed by a busy boardwalk and seafood restaurants. Atlantic tidal range here can exceed six feet; low tide reveals a wide, firm-packed sand surface excellent for walking.
Atlantic tidal range of 6–8 ft gives this beach one of the most dramatic tide-driven transformations in the Northeast: low tide reveals a vast, firm-packed sand flat with warm shallow pools ideal for families, while high tide reduces the usable beach to a narrow strip. Swimming is best at mid to high tide; modest shore break is surfable at mid tide; surf casting for striped bass at dawn and dusk around high tide is a local tradition; shelling yields periwinkles and whelks at low tide. Local note: New Hampshire's only ocean beach; the Hampton Casino Ballroom hosts summer concerts; metered parking fills by mid-morning on weekends; the Hampton River inlet at the south end is a productive fishing spot at any tide.
Nearby Beaches