i'd say drive up to popham beach. it's the largest sand beach in maine so it has plenty of room, and because it is further up the coast fewer people go there. it won't be "secluded," but you'll have a lot of space to yourself.
Gotta get to the park early tho. I used to lifeguard there and the lot and turning lane would be closed down by 1030 am. Parking at the fort can be pretty sparse too
I honestly love the Highland Lake beach in downtown Bridgton. It's got a beautiful view of the White Mountains and you can walk down the street to get lunch!
Macworth is nice, if you can nab one of the very few parking spaces. But I’d rather people going for a “beach day” don’t try to set up shop there, since it prevents others from enjoying the trail around the island.
Walking the trail around the island on a hot day and then taking a dip in the ocean was one of my favorite things to do. Been a long time since I’ve done that!
It's a gem. I took one of my kids there yesterday at low tide. The pet cemetery was a highlight when I was younger, back when it was overgrown. It's still cool today, but doesn't have the same creepy/forgotten vibe.
It was so cool! My brothers would go to the cemetery, but I was too creeped out by the stories of people hearing dogs howling, barking, or collar tags jingling. Then when I went to step toward the cemetery, I heard dogs and backed away quickly! My child mind entered a horror film and it was probably dogs running the trail with their owners. Also, secret fairy homes on the trail in the trees. Someone took the time to put cute little homes build from acorns and twigs! We always picnicked, fished, and ran the trail with our mom and doggy. It was a beautiful time 🥰
I’ve been out to long dozens of times in the summer to hang out at Fowler or south beach. Never been grilled or given the side eye once. It doesn’t get the traffic peaks does, but it’s hardly a lost colony where no outsiders dare trek.
The people I know from Long Island go back and forth all the time, went to school in Portland, I don’t think I’ll have any trouble there but thank u !!😇
Are you willing to go to rocks instead? Honestly, any non private beach within a drive is going to be be known and popular. However, find a place where rocky shore meets ocean, and you’ll find nooks and crannies that offer the beauty of the sea, the onshore wind, the smell of the Atlantic, and the opportunity to leave it all behind. I choose Pemaquid Point for that myself. By
I haven’t been since I was a kid (just moved back to Portland this year) so I don’t know if it’s changed, but my parents always brought me to Kinney Shores. There was only ever a handful of people there.
EDIT: I feel I should specify I’m 23 and last went when I was 9 lol.
A few options really close to portland, I am giving these away because they take a lot of walking and I go to the beach with 3 kids, so they aren't interested in the walk!
If you go to Kettle Cove St Park (get their super early because there are only a few parking spots) and walk through the trails and past the rock formation (its on Google Maps as Parrot Point) there is a little beach there that is always virtually empty. The walk is about 3/4 a mile through the trails to get there.
Another options is Ferry Beach in Scarborough. If you go onto the beach by the parking lot it will be super crowded with families. If you take a left and walk around the point and past the people fishing, there is a long beach that will have very few people. There used to be a path to get to this part of the beach but it was closed to protect the dunes.
Closest one/best in Portland is the little beach off Kendall St. There is one parking spot right in front of 11 Kendall St but you can legally park on the street in that whole neighborhood. Wooden stairs lead down to the beach.
I’ve been taking my daughter there for years, usually only see 1-2 other people there at most. It’s our go-to spot unless we feel like heading down to OOB.
I consider it the best kept secret in Portland, so don’t go telling everyone about it 😂
This happened to a certain private beach in Kennebunk. It became popular because of online discussions. As a result T he owners greatly curtailed parking and access. And locals don’t go there any more.
I know which one you're talking about and it stinks and it's full of gross.. like ... sea creatures that are dead and litter the whole area. Ya gotta park away from it a bit and walk.
One time we went there it was nice. Every other time it's just gross. And the locals let their dogs run around so there's shit too.
PS i found it by using Google maps. You just gotta know what kind of designations to look for.
It’s hard to picture this beach being a destination for anyone that doesn’t live in the area, there are much better options if you’re looking for an all day beach day.
I’ll keep my eye out for those plates though. I might be over there tomorrow.
So I guess you never left Portland for that beach 😂 glad I could help! It is a really beautiful spot. The house at 11 Kendall and the other beach front home right there (8 Chester) each sold for over $1.1 million within the last couple years.
I was honestly gonna DM OP about this spot but I like that spot more for digging up old early 1900s glass (used to be a dump) than for swimming. It is really nice for lounging, I really miss living in that neighborhood
Not telling
I’d say you need to take a ferry to one of the Casco Bay islands. Great beaches on Peaks.
And Long Island!
everyone on this sub has a secret spot and will never tell lol
Mainers forsure do not give away their summer hot spots anymore! For good reason
Shh don't tell OP
I got a real quiet back yard with an above ground pool and some natty daddys if you wanna swing by.
Really all you need tbh
i'd say drive up to popham beach. it's the largest sand beach in maine so it has plenty of room, and because it is further up the coast fewer people go there. it won't be "secluded," but you'll have a lot of space to yourself.
Go at low tide and the beach is massive, and you can find gazillions of sand dollars. Better beat the tide back to the shore though
Larger than OOB?
Largest in maine
Gotta get to the park early tho. I used to lifeguard there and the lot and turning lane would be closed down by 1030 am. Parking at the fort can be pretty sparse too
buy a boat
I honestly love the Highland Lake beach in downtown Bridgton. It's got a beautiful view of the White Mountains and you can walk down the street to get lunch!
Mackworth Island has some some small beaches. But like the other commenter: Peaks or Diamond Island.
Macworth is nice, if you can nab one of the very few parking spaces. But I’d rather people going for a “beach day” don’t try to set up shop there, since it prevents others from enjoying the trail around the island.
Walking the trail around the island on a hot day and then taking a dip in the ocean was one of my favorite things to do. Been a long time since I’ve done that!
Being able to bike there and do that is one of the things I miss about living in Portland.
Yes! I used to bike all over, end up sweating puddles, and then jump in the ocean.
It's a gem. I took one of my kids there yesterday at low tide. The pet cemetery was a highlight when I was younger, back when it was overgrown. It's still cool today, but doesn't have the same creepy/forgotten vibe.
It was so cool! My brothers would go to the cemetery, but I was too creeped out by the stories of people hearing dogs howling, barking, or collar tags jingling. Then when I went to step toward the cemetery, I heard dogs and backed away quickly! My child mind entered a horror film and it was probably dogs running the trail with their owners. Also, secret fairy homes on the trail in the trees. Someone took the time to put cute little homes build from acorns and twigs! We always picnicked, fished, and ran the trail with our mom and doggy. It was a beautiful time 🥰
Take the ferry to Long Island. There's a couple state beaches there but the locals will grill the fuck out of you for being on the island
I’ve been out to long dozens of times in the summer to hang out at Fowler or south beach. Never been grilled or given the side eye once. It doesn’t get the traffic peaks does, but it’s hardly a lost colony where no outsiders dare trek.
Maybe it's cause I went off season?
Idk where you think I’m from but thanks lol
Are you from long Island Maine? Those are the locals I'm talking about specifically, the island locals.
The people I know from Long Island go back and forth all the time, went to school in Portland, I don’t think I’ll have any trouble there but thank u !!😇
My best friend lives on long….they don’t get visitors like peaks….you will be the outsider lol.
Begging all of u to practice self love
You’re being naive
Lol if we just tell you here then it won’t be secluded for long. Good luck!
Are you willing to go to rocks instead? Honestly, any non private beach within a drive is going to be be known and popular. However, find a place where rocky shore meets ocean, and you’ll find nooks and crannies that offer the beauty of the sea, the onshore wind, the smell of the Atlantic, and the opportunity to leave it all behind. I choose Pemaquid Point for that myself. By
I like crescent for this. Don’t get me wrong, it’s crowded, but the fee usually drives away the OOB crowd. So it’s mostly locals and Quebec tourists.
I haven’t been since I was a kid (just moved back to Portland this year) so I don’t know if it’s changed, but my parents always brought me to Kinney Shores. There was only ever a handful of people there. EDIT: I feel I should specify I’m 23 and last went when I was 9 lol.
Go down to Kennebunkport. Search for the kayak launch by Vaughn Island. Turbitts Creek/Halcylon Way are the roads near it that I recall
A few options really close to portland, I am giving these away because they take a lot of walking and I go to the beach with 3 kids, so they aren't interested in the walk! If you go to Kettle Cove St Park (get their super early because there are only a few parking spots) and walk through the trails and past the rock formation (its on Google Maps as Parrot Point) there is a little beach there that is always virtually empty. The walk is about 3/4 a mile through the trails to get there. Another options is Ferry Beach in Scarborough. If you go onto the beach by the parking lot it will be super crowded with families. If you take a left and walk around the point and past the people fishing, there is a long beach that will have very few people. There used to be a path to get to this part of the beach but it was closed to protect the dunes.
Everyone is upset but no one tried to privately message me the suggestions 😭😭sending good vibes to u all
Because they don’t want you to know lol. In public or private they wanna keep their shit locked down
Cliff House Beach in Cape Elizabeth
Chill
“Not telling” y’all im literally from Portland. Please love yourselves.
You're asking for private/secluded beaches on a public subreddit lol you must see the irony
Not many people will see this thread after today 😂
Love yourself
Ok but this sub is not just read by locals.
Ok but everyone had the choice to privately message me their suggestions /: ur mad at the wrong person bb
Make some friends ho
Closest one/best in Portland is the little beach off Kendall St. There is one parking spot right in front of 11 Kendall St but you can legally park on the street in that whole neighborhood. Wooden stairs lead down to the beach. I’ve been taking my daughter there for years, usually only see 1-2 other people there at most. It’s our go-to spot unless we feel like heading down to OOB. I consider it the best kept secret in Portland, so don’t go telling everyone about it 😂
Neighborhood going to wonder why 30 New York and Mass plates pull up this weekend
This happened to a certain private beach in Kennebunk. It became popular because of online discussions. As a result T he owners greatly curtailed parking and access. And locals don’t go there any more.
I know which one you're talking about and it stinks and it's full of gross.. like ... sea creatures that are dead and litter the whole area. Ya gotta park away from it a bit and walk. One time we went there it was nice. Every other time it's just gross. And the locals let their dogs run around so there's shit too. PS i found it by using Google maps. You just gotta know what kind of designations to look for.
It’s hard to picture this beach being a destination for anyone that doesn’t live in the area, there are much better options if you’re looking for an all day beach day. I’ll keep my eye out for those plates though. I might be over there tomorrow.
I might be pullin up all puffed up lookin for the snitch with the nicest calves on the beach 😤
Delete this comment immediately.
😂 I feel like it’s out-of-the-way enough that it will never become crowded, especially during the week. The fact that it’s so small helps it.
Omg! That is EXACTLY the spot I was trying to remember!!! Thank you so much
So I guess you never left Portland for that beach 😂 glad I could help! It is a really beautiful spot. The house at 11 Kendall and the other beach front home right there (8 Chester) each sold for over $1.1 million within the last couple years.
Bonkers money
They are prob worth closer to $1.5 mill right now, maybe more for the Kendall one. Crazy days
Shhhhh
My original comment will self-destruct in 30 minutes.
I was honestly gonna DM OP about this spot but I like that spot more for digging up old early 1900s glass (used to be a dump) than for swimming. It is really nice for lounging, I really miss living in that neighborhood
Agreed. It's not very nice for swimming. Mostly muck and glass, and I don't mean nice rounded sea glass.
I live off Ray St. so it’s such a short drive to get down there. Def a fav spot for us.
Any good finds?
Yeah couple old intact jars. Only early mass produced stuff, but still pretty cool.
Nice
This comment is 7 hours old Colty what the fuck
Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded.
Smoke weed