Best Beaches in Kennebunkport

Gooch's Beach is the longest stretch of sand in the area, and it's got real history. Jedediah Gooch bought the 20 acre peninsula back in the 1750s, and the beach still carries his name. You'll find surfing and swimming off the sandy shoreline, plus a promenade with benches and stairs for easy access. The beach feels open and peaceful even when Kennebunkport gets busy. A large rock ledge marks the beach and makes a striking focal point for photos. October is especially quiet here, and visitors praise the soft sand and long walks along the water's edge.

Mother's Beach is small and tucked onto Beach Ave, but it's designed with families in mind. There's a substantial playscape, lifeguards on duty, and porta potties. Free admission, though parking is tight, so expect to leave your car on a nearby side road and walk a block or so. Dogs aren't allowed from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The beach is clean and peaceful, though afternoons can fill up with young kids. One visitor noted the sand can be lumpy, which affects wheelchair accessibility despite the mat provided.

If you want peace and quiet, Parson's Beach delivers. It's reached by a flat, well maintained 0.6 mile trail that takes about ten minutes. Only a handful of parking spots sit near the entrance, so weekday visits or early weekend mornings work best if you want a spot. The payoff is a secluded, scenic beach where you can walk for hours without crowds. The surrounding area shows off expensive homes along the shore, and the evening light makes for stunning photos. Reviewers call it gorgeous and worth the effort to get there.

Colony Beach is small, quirky, and free to visit. Parking is free and easy to find. You cross perfectly round rocks to reach the sand, and the beach sits right next to a large seawall where people fish and watch boats move slowly in and out of the harbor. The water looks clean and clear, and it's a great spot for sea glass hunting and exploring tide pools. The beach stayed tidy despite recent storms, and leashed pets are welcome. The nearby jetty offers good fishing, and you can get surprisingly close views of the boat traffic.

Kennebunk Beach sits on Beach Ave and offers clean, well maintained sand with views and restroom facilities. It's not the biggest beach around, but it attracts plenty of visitors who come to swim, relax, and take walks. The water tends to be cold even in summer, and winds can pick up. It's a solid, straightforward beach option without too many surprises, though the coastal views and manageable crowds make it a reliable choice for a beach day.

There are two Google Maps listings for Gooch's Beach, and both offer wooden stairs down to the sand. This spot sits within walking distance of downtown Kennebunkport via Beach Ave and includes a sidewalk above the beach with benches. The sand is clean and rarely crowded even in late August. Surfers frequent the area, and you can watch them from the seawall. There's parking nearby and a pleasant promenade for strolling. Visitors recommend early morning visits for solo runs and sunrise views.

Goose Rocks Beach is a tranquil spot with white sand, dunes, and coastal trails. Sunsets here feel like postcards, with moonrises over the water and stunning sky colors. The water is clear and the sand is fine. After Labor Day, parking is free, making it more affordable. The walk from street parking is easy, and the beach itself isn't crowded once summer season ends. During peak season, parking costs 40 dollars per day. Visitors love the peaceful shoreline and calm waters.

Arundel Beach is rocky rather than sandy, so it's more of a destination for geology buffs than swimmers. The rocks here are striking and worth exploring if you're into tide pools and rock formations. Be aware that some online listings label this as a beach when it's really a rocky cove. If you're looking for soft sand and swimming, check out Colony Beach down the road instead.