Beaches

Maine has more than 5000 miles of waterfront and The Kennebunks are bordered by some of the most beautiful and accessible beaches on the Atlantic Seaboard. Whether you’re just a lazy beachcomber hunting for shells or a surfer hoping to ride the perfect wave, the beaches are great for walking, sunbathing or playing in the sun.

Kennebunk, Mother's & Gooch's Beach
BEACH AVE., OFF Routes 9 & 35
These long, wide sandy beaches are the perfect place to walk, sun yourself, play in the surf, look for sand dollars or just enjoy the sight of the waves rolling into shore. There's no better place to be on July 4th, when fireworks explode overhead in a myriad of glittering lights. There are lifeguards and public restrooms at both Gooch's Beach and Mother's Beach from July through Labor Day.

Parking Permit Required: Parking Permits are available at our Front Desk.

Goose Rocks Beach
King's Highway, Off Route 9, North of Kennebunkport Village
At three miles long, Goose Rocks Beach is a favorite with walkers as well as the sand pail set. It's wide, smooth and sandy, and affords wonderful views of Eastern Goose Rocks and Timber Island, just off the coast.

Parking Permit Required:  parking permits at chamber and Kennebunkport town hall only.

Arundel Beach
Off Ocean Avenue, near the Colony Hotel
This beach (also known as Colony Beach) is much appreciated by those who love to scramble on its rocks and watch the surf dash the shore. No permit needed.

Beach Walks
People who live by the sea never tire of a walk on the beach. The weather and the sea are always changing. The tides, winds, birds and sea creatures offer new and interesting treasures for every walk.

The Kennebunk Beach
Some folks call it the "Kennebunk Workout." You'll call it spectacular. The string of beaches, some sandy, some rocky, that stretch along Beach Avenue from Gooch's Beach past Lord’s Point are all connected by sidewalks — a feature that makes this great stretch of seaside a favorite with walkers, joggers and roller-bladers anytime of day or evening. Take an early morning stroll past long stretches of beach, shorefront homes and inns before the sun worshippers spread their towels on the sand. Enjoy the warmth of midday or the romance of an orange and purple sky reflecting off the water at sunset. Kennebunk Beach is readily accessible. You can drive to the beach and park, or you can take the trolley and leave your car behind There are bathroom facilities at the beaches; however, there are no food concessions. If you're planning to make a day of it, we suggest you bring a picnic.

It is approximately 1 1/2 miles from the far end of Gooch's Beach to Lord's Point, for about a 3-mile round trip. Go past Lord's Point, and you can add another .6 mile to your excursion, making a 4.2-mile round trip.

The Goose Rocks Beach
Goose Rocks Beach is a wonderful beach to explore. To begin with, it is one of the best stretches of fine silver white sand on the East Coast. At low tide, you can just see a barrier reef rock formation offshore known as "Goose Rocks." It is said that migrating geese use this reef as a navigational point. (How they know to fly over at low tide is still a mystery.)

The shoreline of Goose Rocks Beach weaves gently into two broad half moons. Sand dunes and beach grass provide a sheltered nesting ground for piping plovers and lesser terns. If you keep your eyes open and your head down, you can pick up a sand dollar or two.

Goose Rocks Beach is approximately 3 miles long, so you can figure on a 6 mile round trip that, depending on how long you dawdle, should take about 2 hours. The beach is located 3 miles east of Cape Porpoise off Route 9. A signpost across from the Clock Farm Landmark points the way.
 

Parsons Beach-Crescent Surf Beach- Kennebunk- 1,700 yards, Sand beaches, salt marshes and birdwatching

The Parson's Way Shore Walk
This is a favorite walk of those who love to take in the ocean view, admire the gracious summer homes strung like pearls along the shore, and perhaps speculate about the people who live in them — like George and Barbara Bush for example. Just past Dock Square and the marina, at the beginning of the walk, is Colony Beach, a beautiful gem across the road from the old Colony Hotel. Further along, past St. Ann's Church and on the way to Walkers Point, are Spouting Rock and Blowing Cave, two dramatic spectacles of the sea. For even more inclusive sightseeing, you can make a long loop by continuing past Turbat's Creek and take a left onto Wildes District Road for a walk back towards town.

Parson's Way is a 4.8-mile round trip that begins at Dock Square. Park behind Allison's Restaurant, 30 North St. (future Town Hall) or the Consolidated School. From Dock Square, follow Ocean Ave. along the river to the ocean, passing the Colony Hotel and St. Ann's Church, all the way to Walker's Point    

Vaughns Island Preserve- Kennebunkport- 40 acres, Island separated from mainland by 2 tidal creeks. Trails.
 Courtesy of Kennebunk/Kennebunkport Chamber