Long Island Beach

An Island Beach Without the Drive

Most Maine beach days start with a long drive down a two-lane road. This one starts with a ferry ride. Long Island sits five miles out in Casco Bay, connected to Portland by the Casco Bay Lines ferry that runs up to nine times daily from the terminal at 56 Commercial Street on the waterfront. The crossing takes about 45 minutes, winding through the Calendar Islands with views of Portland Head Light, Fort Gorges, and the island-dotted bay.

Sandy Beach, also called South Beach by locals, is the main attraction on the south end of Long Island. It is a broad crescent of soft sand facing Casco Bay, with calm water, good swimming, and a phenomenon that gives the beach its most talked-about feature: the sand squeaks and sings when you walk on it.

Long Island is a year-round community of about 200 residents, a quiet place with narrow roads, a general store, a church, and the easy pace of an island that still feels like old Maine. The beach is a 20-minute walk from the ferry landing along Beach Avenue, or you can bring a bike on the ferry and ride down.

The Singing Sand

The sand at Sandy Beach produces a distinct squeaking or singing sound when walked on under the right conditions. The phenomenon is caused by the uniform grain size and shape of the quartz sand. When dry sand grains are compressed underfoot, they vibrate at a frequency that produces an audible squeak.

It does not work every day. The sand needs to be dry and clean. After rain or at high tide when the sand is wet, the effect diminishes. On a hot, dry summer afternoon, walk across the upper beach and you will hear it.

Swimming in the Bay

Sandy Beach faces the sheltered waters of Casco Bay rather than the open Atlantic. The difference is significant. Waves are small, currents are mild, and the water is calmer than anything you will find on the mainland coast south of Portland. The sandy bottom slopes gradually, making it a good beach for children.

The water is cold but slightly warmer than the open ocean. Casco Bay water temperatures reach the upper 50s to low 60s by August. It is not warm, but it is tolerable for those willing to go in. The gentle conditions make it easy to wade and play even if full-immersion swimming is not your style.

The beach also has a natural rock ledge at one end, a flat granite platform that serves as a natural patio for picnics and sunbathing when you want a break from the sand.

Getting There

Take the Casco Bay Lines ferry from 56 Commercial Street in Portland. The ferry to Long Island runs year-round, with departures roughly every one to two hours depending on the season. The crossing takes about 45 minutes. Check schedules and fares at cascobaylines.com before your trip.

All tickets are round trip and collected at boarding in Portland. Fares vary by season. You can bring bikes on the ferry for an additional fee.

From the Long Island ferry landing, walk south on Island Avenue, which becomes Beach Avenue. The beach is about a 20-minute walk, roughly one mile. You can also bring a bicycle on the ferry to shorten the trip.

Island Logistics

Long Island is a small, quiet community. There are limited services. A general store near the ferry landing carries basics, snacks, and drinks. There is no restaurant or food truck at the beach. Bring your own lunch, water, and supplies, ideally in a comfortable daypack for the mile walk from the landing.

Cell service is good on Long Island, with coverage from mainland towers.

Restroom facilities near the beach are limited. Plan accordingly.

The island has no rental cars, no taxis, and no rideshares. You are on foot or on a bike. The walk from the landing to the beach is pleasant and flat, passing through the small village and along quiet residential roads.

When to Go

Dogs on the Island

Dogs are allowed on Long Island with restrictions. Keep your dog leashed and clean up after them. Be respectful of the island community and other beachgoers. Check with the town for any seasonal restrictions.

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