Cumberland County, ME · Atlantic Ocean

Crescent Beach State Park

66 Two Lights Rd, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107

A mile of fine sand 8 miles south of Portland — close enough to be the city's default beach day, sheltered enough that the water warms a few degrees above the open coast. Family-friendly with a gentle slope and a backing dune system.

Eats & Drinks 6

Today's Conditions

Decent day for photography.

NWS alert active

Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon

Scattered rain showers. Cloudy, with a high near 66. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tonight

A chance of rain showers before 10pm, then rain between 10pm and 11pm, then rain and isolated thunderstorms between 11pm and 1am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1am and 2am, then rain and isolated thunderstorms between 2am and 4am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 4am and 5am, then rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Weather

66°F air — cool but workable
28% rain — pop-up showers possible

Water

63°F water — chilly — expect a gasp entering

Safety

NWS alert active — small craft advisory issued september 9 at 2:18pm edt until september 10 at 8:00pm edt by nws gray me

37 /100

19 Swim

47 Sunbathe

61 Walk

68 Photo

Best for photography today

Small Craft Small Craft Advisory

Small Craft Advisory issued September 9 at 2:18PM EDT until September 10 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Gray ME

NWS · In effect through Sep 10, 8:00 PM

Full NWS statement

* WHAT...Southwest winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and seas 4 to 7 ft expected. * WHERE...Coastal Waters from Stonington, ME to Port Clyde, ME out 25 NM, Coastal Waters from Port Clyde, ME to Cape Elizabeth, ME out 25 NM and Coastal Waters from Cape Elizabeth, ME to Merrimack River, MA out 25 NM. * WHEN...From 8 PM this evening to 8 PM EDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.

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Atmosphere

Air Temp

66°F

Mostly Cloudy

Wind

5 to 10 mph

Rain

28%

This Afternoon

UV Peak

4 Moderate

Peaks 12 PM · burn in ~50m

Burn-free before 10 AM & after 01 PM

Tomorrow

79°F

Rain Showers Likely then Mostly Sunny

Water

Water Temp

63°F

Cold

Next High Tide

10:30 PM

10.7 ft · in 3.2h

Wave Height

2.6 ft

4s · SE swell

Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference

No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (ANZ154)

The GYX office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.

NHZ014 Coastal Rockingham — Portsmouth and Hampton n/a
MEZ023 Coastal York — Old Orchard, Fortunes Rock, Wells, Ogunquit, n/a
MEZ024 Coastal Cumberland — Scarborough, Higgins, and Crescent n/a
MEZ025 Sagadahoc — Reid State Park and Popham n/a
MEZ026 Lincoln — Pemaquid n/a
MEZ027 Knox — Birch Point n/a
MEZ028 Coastal Waldo — Moose Point State Park n/a

NWS SRF · GYX · Issued Sep 9, 2:41 PM

Sun & Moon

Sunrise

6:13 AM

Sunset

7:03 PM

Moon · 5%

Waning Crescent

Spring tides — bigger range

Tides

Time	Type	Height
4:00 AM	Low	-0.4 ft
10:13 AM	High	9.4 ft
4:12 PM	Low	0.1 ft
10:30 PM	High	10.7 ft

Time	Type	Height
4:51 AM	Low	-0.6 ft
11:04 AM	High	9.9 ft
5:06 PM	Low	-0.2 ft
11:22 PM	High	10.7 ft

Time	Type	Height
5:38 AM	Low	-0.7 ft
11:51 AM	High	10.2 ft
5:56 PM	Low	-0.4 ft

Time	Type	Height
12:11 AM	High	10.6 ft
6:22 AM	Low	-0.5 ft
12:35 PM	High	10.3 ft
6:44 PM	Low	-0.5 ft

Time	Type	Height
12:58 AM	High	10.3 ft
7:04 AM	Low	-0.2 ft
1:17 PM	High	10.3 ft
7:29 PM	Low	-0.4 ft

Time	Type	Height
1:43 AM	High	9.8 ft
7:45 AM	Low	0.2 ft
1:58 PM	High	10.1 ft
8:14 PM	Low	-0.1 ft

Time	Type	Height
2:28 AM	High	9.3 ft
8:26 AM	Low	0.7 ft
2:39 PM	High	9.8 ft
9:00 PM	Low	0.3 ft

High/low predictions from NOAA station 8418150, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.

7-Day Beach Day Forecast

Today Sep 9

66°

Scattered Rain Showers

28%

Thu Sep 10

79°

Rain Showers Likely then Mostly Sunny

55%

Fri Sep 11

71°

Sunny

Sat Sep 12

67°

Sunny

Sun Sep 13

72°

Chance Rain Showers

37%

Mon Sep 14

74°

Mostly Sunny

Tue Sep 15

71°

Mostly Sunny

What to Bring Today

recommended Wetsuit or expect a chill Water is 63°F

Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).

Beach Info

Parking

Paid lot at park entrance. Fills on weekends — go early.

Dogs

Dogs prohibited on the beach April 1 – September 30. Leashed on trails otherwise.

Entry Fee

$6/adult ME resident, $8/adult non-resident.

Address

66 Two Lights Rd, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107

Amenities

lifeguardsrestroomsshowerssnack barpicnic areachanging rooms

Frequently Asked

Is it safe to swim at Crescent Beach State Park today?

Crescent Beach State Park shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. Seasonal lifeguards patrol the swim area in summer — follow their flags. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.

Is Crescent Beach State Park dog-friendly?

Dogs prohibited on the beach April 1 – September 30. Leashed on trails otherwise.

Is there an entry fee at Crescent Beach State Park?

$6/adult ME resident, $8/adult non-resident.

Are there lifeguards at Crescent Beach State Park?

Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Crescent Beach State Park during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.

What amenities are at Crescent Beach State Park?

Amenities at Crescent Beach State Park include lifeguards, restrooms, showers, snack bar, picnic area, changing rooms.

When is the water warmest at Crescent Beach State Park?

Atlantic water temperatures peak in August. Northern beaches (ME, NH, MA) run cool — typically 60-68°F at the summer peak. Mid-Atlantic (NJ, DE, MD, VA) hits 74-76°F. The Carolinas and Florida Atlantic warm into the 80s and stay swimmable from May through October.

Where is Crescent Beach State Park located?

Crescent Beach State Park is in Cumberland County, ME, at 66 Two Lights Rd, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107.