Head Beach

A Secret at the End of the Road

Head Beach sits at the very tip of the Small Point peninsula in Phippsburg, where Route 216 runs out of land and the Kennebec River meets the open Atlantic. It is a crescent of sand roughly 325 yards long, protected by rocky ledges on both sides, with Hermit Island and its campground just across the dunes to the south.

This is not a beach that attracts crowds from Portland or Boston. Getting here requires a committed drive down Route 209 through Phippsburg, past the turnoff for Popham Beach, and then further still along Route 216 until the road ends at a toll booth. The reward is a beach that stays uncrowded even on hot summer weekends, with water that is gentler than the surf at nearby Popham.

The setting is classic Phippsburg. Spruce forest to the waterline, rocky headlands framing the sand, lobster boats on the horizon. The beach faces south into the mouth of the Kennebec, which means it gets sheltered from northerly and easterly winds while catching full afternoon sun.

Swimming Conditions

Head Beach is a better swimming beach than many visitors expect. The sand bottom slopes gradually, and the rocky ledges on either side of the cove break the incoming swell. On most summer days, the waves are small and the current is mild. The water is cold, as all Maine ocean water is, but the sheltered orientation helps it warm slightly faster than the open coast.

The surf can pick up after storms or during periods of strong southerly wind, but on a typical July or August day, families with young children will find the conditions manageable. There are no lifeguards. Watch the water and your swimmers.

Hermit Island and the Campground

Head Beach is operated as part of the Head Beach Campground, a private facility with tent and cottage sites in the woods behind the dunes. Hermit Island, the small landmass connected to the mainland by a sand causeway behind the beach, has its own separate campground that is legendary among Maine campers for its oceanfront sites.

Day visitors pay the parking fee at the toll booth on Route 216 and walk over the dunes to the beach. The campground provides restrooms on the parking side of the dunes. That is the extent of the facilities for day visitors.

Getting There

From Bath, take Route 209 South for about 13 miles through Phippsburg. At the intersection where Route 209 turns left toward Popham Beach, continue straight onto Route 216. Follow Route 216 for about 5 miles to the toll booth at Head Beach Campground. Pay the day-use fee and park in the lot.

From Portland, the drive is about 90 minutes via I-295 to the Route 1 exit in Brunswick, then Route 209 south. From Augusta, about 75 minutes.

Facilities and What is Nearby

Facilities are basic. Restrooms are available on the parking side of the dunes. There are no showers, no snack bar, and no lifeguards. Bring your own food, water, and supplies.

Popham Beach State Park is about 5 miles back along Route 209, a larger and more developed beach with full facilities. Reid State Park in Georgetown is about 20 minutes away. The village of Phippsburg has a small general store. Bath, about 30 minutes north, has full services, restaurants, and the Maine Maritime Museum.

When to Go

Tides Matter Here

Head Beach changes character significantly with the tide. At high tide, the beach narrows to a strip of sand at the base of the dunes, with deep enough water for real swimming. At low tide, the sand extends far out, exposing tide pools on the rocky ledges and a broad flat for walking and beachcombing.

Check tide charts for the Phippsburg area before your visit. Mid-tide is the best compromise for both swimming and lounging.

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