Gooch's Beach

A Beach for Everyone

Gooch’s Beach stretches along the southern Maine coast in Kennebunk, a crescent of sand that connects to Middle Beach and Mother’s Beach as you walk northeast along the shore. Together, these beaches form a continuous sandy shoreline that is one of the best family beach destinations in York County. The sand is fine, the waves are generally moderate, and the whole area has a relaxed, neighborhood feel that sets it apart from the busier commercial beach towns nearby.

At low tide, the sand extends well out from the seawall, providing plenty of room for blankets, sandcastles, and games. At high tide, the beach narrows and the waves reach closer to the wall.

Mother’s Beach

The northeast section of the beach, known as Mother’s Beach, sits along the Kennebunk River where the water is calmer and shallower than the open ocean side. Small children can wade and splash without dealing with ocean surf. The water warms up more than the open Atlantic, and the protected location means less wind on breezy days.

Mother’s Beach has a small playground adjacent to the sand. Restrooms are available in the area. The combination of calm water, shallow depth, and a playground makes this one of the best beach spots in southern Maine for families with kids under six.

The Main Beach

Gooch’s Beach proper faces the open Atlantic and gets real ocean waves. It is not a surfing beach on most days, but the waves are enough to bodysurf and boogie board when conditions cooperate. The sand is coarse enough to pack well for sandcastles and firm enough at the waterline for walking.

The beach runs along a seawall, with Beach Avenue and a row of oceanfront homes on the landward side. The seawall provides a walking path above the beach and a place to sit if you want to watch the water without getting sand in your shoes. At high tide, this is where most people end up.

The water temperature in summer ranges from the mid-50s to the low 60s. Cold by most standards, but typical for southern Maine. Most people wade and splash rather than sustained swimming. Kids seem immune to the cold and will stay in for hours.

When to Go

Practical Notes

Parking at Gooch’s Beach requires a permit from June 15 through September 15. Passes are available at the Kennebunk town office or online. Daily passes are approximately $25, weekly passes $75. The lots fill early on hot summer weekends, often by 10 AM. Arrive early or plan to walk from town.

Restrooms are available near Mother’s Beach. There are no food vendors directly on the beach, but Kennebunk’s downtown, a short drive or walk away, has restaurants and shops. Kennebunkport’s Dock Square, with its galleries, restaurants, and lobster shacks, is about 10 minutes by car.

Dogs are not allowed on the beach from June 15 through September 15. Outside that window, dogs are welcome on leash and the off-season beach walks are excellent.

The beach has lifeguards on duty from June 15 through Labor Day. Outside of those dates, swimming is at your own risk.

Getting There

From Portland, take I-95 South (Maine Turnpike) to Exit 25 (Kennebunk). Follow Route 35 South to Route 9 East toward Kennebunk Beach. Turn right on Beach Avenue. The drive from Portland takes about 35 minutes. From Kennebunkport’s Dock Square, it is about 10 minutes. From Boston, take I-95 North to Exit 25, roughly 90 minutes depending on traffic.

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