York County, ME · Atlantic Ocean

Long Sands Beach

A 1.5-mile arc of sand fronting Route 1A in York Beach, with Nubble Light at the south end. One of the more accessible Maine beaches — Route 1A runs the entire length and there's parallel street parking the whole way. Surfable on a north swell.

Today's Conditions

Ideal for a beach walk.

78°F air

Full NWS forecast for Today

Sunny, with a high near 78. Southeast wind around 5 mph.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 62. South wind around 5 mph.

Weather

78°F air — ideal beach weather
Sunny skies — clear conditions

Water

62°F water — chilly — expect a gasp entering

76 /100

great

67 Swim

85 Sunbathe

88 Walk

83 Photo

Best for walking today

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Atmosphere

Air Temp

78°F

Clear

Wind

5 mph

Rain

Today

UV Peak

8 Very High

High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~25m

Burn-free before 08 AM & after 05 PM

Tomorrow

84°F

Sunny

Water

Water Temp

62°F

Cold

Next Low Tide

3:29 PM

0.5 ft · in 16m

Water Quality

Clean

10 MPN/100mL · Enterococcus

USGS · sampled 10mo ago

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 Jul 12, 12:41 PM

Sun & Moon

Sunrise

5:13 AM

Sunset

8:22 PM

Moon · 5%

Waning Crescent

Spring tides — bigger range

Tides

Time	Type	Height
3:24 AM	Low	-0.4 ft
9:37 AM	High	8.9 ft
3:29 PM	Low	0.5 ft
9:49 PM	High	11.1 ft

Time	Type	Height
4:23 AM	Low	-0.8 ft
10:37 AM	High	9.2 ft
4:28 PM	Low	0.2 ft
10:48 PM	High	11.4 ft

Time	Type	Height
5:20 AM	Low	-1.1 ft
11:35 AM	High	9.5 ft
5:26 PM	Low	-0.0 ft
11:45 PM	High	11.5 ft

Time	Type	Height
6:15 AM	Low	-1.3 ft
12:30 PM	High	9.8 ft
6:23 PM	Low	-0.1 ft

Time	Type	Height
12:41 AM	High	11.5 ft
7:08 AM	Low	-1.3 ft
1:24 PM	High	9.9 ft
7:18 PM	Low	-0.2 ft

Time	Type	Height
1:35 AM	High	11.2 ft
7:58 AM	Low	-1.1 ft
2:15 PM	High	10.0 ft
8:13 PM	Low	-0.1 ft

Time	Type	Height
2:28 AM	High	10.8 ft
8:48 AM	Low	-0.8 ft
3:06 PM	High	10.0 ft
9:09 PM	Low	0.2 ft

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

7-Day Beach Day Forecast

Today Jul 12

78°

Sunny

Mon Jul 13

84°

Sunny

Tue Jul 14

94°

Sunny

Wed Jul 15

90°

Mostly Sunny

Thu Jul 16

83°

Sunny

Fri Jul 17

79°

Sunny

Sat Jul 18

78°

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

17%

What to Bring Today

critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
recommended Wetsuit or expect a chill Water is 62°F

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

Beach Info

Parking

Metered street parking along Route 1A (seasonal, mid-May through Columbus Day). 2-hour limits in places — read signs.

Dogs

Dogs prohibited 8 AM – 6 PM, May 20 – September 20. Off-leash sunrise – 8 AM (under voice control); leashed 6 PM – sunrise during summer.

Entry Fee

Free

Address

Long Beach Ave, York, ME 03909

Amenities

lifeguardsrestroomsshowersrestaurants nearby

Frequently Asked

Is it safe to swim at Long Sands Beach today?

Long Sands Beach 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 Long Sands Beach dog-friendly?

Dogs prohibited 8 AM – 6 PM, May 20 – September 20. Off-leash sunrise – 8 AM (under voice control); leashed 6 PM – sunrise during summer.

Is there an entry fee at Long Sands Beach?

Entry to Long Sands Beach is free.

Are there lifeguards at Long Sands Beach?

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

What amenities are at Long Sands Beach?

Amenities at Long Sands Beach include lifeguards, restrooms, showers, restaurants nearby.

When is the water warmest at Long Sands Beach?

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 Long Sands Beach located?

Long Sands Beach is in York County, ME, at Long Beach Ave, York, ME 03909.