The seven-mile beach

Map of the nine sub-beaches

From north (Scarborough side) to south (Saco side): Pine Point → Grand Beach → Surfside. Grand Beach lies along East Grand Avenue at the Old Orchard Beach / Scarborough town line. Other named stretches include Old Orchard Beach (downtown), Ocean Park, Kinney Shores, Bayview, Ferry Beach, and Camp Ellis.

Walk end to end at low tide

At low tide you can walk the entire seven miles on packed sand. Plan ~2.5 to 3 hours one way. Watch the tide chart, incoming water at the Saco River mouth and Goose Fare Brook crossings can cut you off.

Each sub-beach

• Pine Point, Northern terminus, Scarborough side, quieter and residential.
• Bayview, Quiet residential pocket along the seven-mile beach.
• Grand Beach, Year-round residential beach; off-season walking favorite.
• Surfside, OOB's surf and windsurf scene; bigger south-wind waves.
• Kinney Shores, Lifeguarded beach; full town services.
• Ferry Beach, Adjacent to Ferry Beach State Park; quieter scene.
• Old Orchard Beach (downtown), The Pier, Palace Playland, the boardwalk crowd.
• Ocean Park, Historic 1881 summer colony; calm atmosphere.
• Camp Ellis, Southern terminus at the Saco River mouth; jetty and working harbor.

Beach access rules

Most public access points are free to walk on. Parking carries fees in season at the major lots; residential street access is restricted in summer to keep neighborhoods passable.

Lifeguards

Late June through mid-August at Kinney Shores and other public access points. Most of the seven-mile stretch is unguarded, even in peak season.

Dog rules

In OOB, including Ocean Park, no dogs are allowed on the beach from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., May 15 to Labor Day. From 5 p.m. to dusk, dogs must be leashed, 12 feet maximum. At all other times, dogs must be leashed or under voice and sight control. Keep dogs 100 feet from posted piping plover nesting areas, pick up after them, and note the $100 fine. Town Code Ch. 14, Sec. 14-6. Saco, Scarborough, and Ferry Beach State Park have separate rules. Full details on pets and dog rules.

Bonfire rules

Bonfires require a permit through the OOB Fire Department. Limited dates, supervised setup, and tide-aware location are all part of the permit conditions.

Driving on the beach

Prohibited. Beach driving is not legal anywhere on the seven-mile stretch.

Surf conditions vary by sub-beach

Surfside and the southern Pier district produce the most consistent waves. Pine Point and Ocean Park are typically gentler. See surfing for breakdowns.