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.

Eats & Drinks 15 Stay 10 Shops 4

Today's Conditions

Great day for photography.

NWS alert active

Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon

Isolated rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tonight

Scattered rain showers before 8pm, then rain likely between 8pm and 11pm, then rain and isolated thunderstorms between 11pm and midnight, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between midnight 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 67. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Weather

69°F air — cool but workable
22% 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

45 /100

26 Swim

60 Sunbathe

70 Walk

72 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

69°F

Cloudy

Wind

5 mph

Rain

22%

This Afternoon

UV Peak

5 Moderate

Peaks 12 PM · burn in ~40m

Burn-free before 10 AM & after 02 PM

Tomorrow

83°F

Chance Rain Showers 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

6:15 AM

Sunset

7:04 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

69°

Isolated Rain Showers

22%

Thu Sep 10

83°

Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny

51%

Fri Sep 11

73°

Sunny

Sat Sep 12

70°

Sunny

Sun Sep 13

73°

Chance Rain Showers

39%

Mon Sep 14

73°

Mostly Sunny

Tue Sep 15

72°

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

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.