Ogunquit Beach is a three-mile barrier beach on the southern Maine coast, praised for its fine white sand and dramatic views across the Ogunquit River estuary. Maine's significant tidal range — often exceeding eight feet — completely transforms the beach: low tide exposes a wide, firm sand flat while high tide reduces the beach to a narrow strip.
Maine's tidal range of 8–10 ft makes this one of the most tide-dependent beaches in the country: high tide floods the lagoon behind the barrier beach with slightly warmer, calmer water — the best time for children to swim in the sheltered zone — while low tide exposes an enormous expanse of firm sand and reveals the full 3-mile beach width but leaves the water cold and exposed. Modest Atlantic shore break is surfable at mid tide in cold water (55–65°F summer); shelling yields periwinkles and small clams at low tide; striped bass fishing in the Ogunquit River estuary at tide changes is productive. Local note: Marginal Way, a 1.25-mile cliff-side pedestrian path, connects the village to Perkins Cove; parking is expensive and limited — the local trolley from remote lots is the strongly recommended option; Perkins Cove has lobster restaurants worth the walk.
Nearby Beaches