A Quiet Cove on Deer Isle
First, the clarification this beach always needs: this is not the Sand Beach in Acadia National Park. That one, on Mount Desert Island, is the famous crescent below the Beehive that draws thousands of visitors a day. This Sand Beach is a small, little-known sandy cove on the south end of Deer Isle, a few miles from the working harbor town of Stonington. It sees a tiny fraction of the traffic, has no entrance gate or fee, and is the kind of place locals go to cool off without making a production of it.
The beach sits on East Penobscot Bay, looking out toward the scattered islands of Merchants Row, the granite-studded archipelago that fronts Stonington. It is reached down Sand Beach Road, a few miles west of the harbor, where a small dirt lot marks a short path through the woods to the sand. A side path leads off into the spruce to a viewpoint over the bay that is worth the extra few minutes. The setting is Downeast through and through: dark green forest, pink granite, cold clear water, and islands stacked to the horizon.
The Beach
The beach itself is a modest pocket of genuine sand, generous by Downeast standards where most shoreline is cobble and ledge. At low tide it broadens out and the surrounding flats and rocks invite poking around. The water is cold, this being Penobscot Bay, but the cove is sheltered enough that the shallows take some of the edge off on a sunny afternoon, and hardy swimmers and wading kids both make use of it through July and August.
The big draw beyond the sand is the view. Merchants Row spreads across the water in front of you, and on a clear day you can watch lobster boats working the islands and the occasional sea kayak threading between them. This is one of the premier sea-kayaking areas in Maine, and the beach makes a pleasant launch or landing for paddlers exploring the nearer islands.
From the beach, a short path leads left into the woods to an overlook with a wider view across Merchants Row. It is an easy few minutes and gives you the best vantage of the islands, especially in late-afternoon light.
Rocky beaches & streams
Parking & Access
A small dirt parking area sits right at the trailhead off Sand Beach Road and holds about a dozen cars. It is free. From the lot a short, easy path through the woods leads down to the sand. There are no facilities here, no restrooms, no lifeguard, and no trash service, so plan to carry out whatever you carry in. The lot is small, so on a hot summer weekend it can fill; arrive earlier in the day for a spot.
Pair Sand Beach with a stop in Stonington itself. The harbor is one of the busiest lobster ports in Maine, and the village has galleries, the Island Heritage Trust office, and good views. Settlement Quarry Preserve, a short drive away, gives you an elevated overlook of the same Merchants Row islands you see from the beach.
Getting There
From the causeway connecting Little Deer Isle and Deer Isle, follow Route 15 south toward Stonington. Before reaching the harbor, turn onto Sand Beach Road and follow it a few miles west, watching for the small dirt parking area on the left. The drive from Bangor takes about an hour and a half via Route 15 through Blue Hill, and from Portland it is roughly three and a half hours.
When to Visit
Spring
Cool and quiet. Good for a walk and the bay view, but the water is far too cold for swimming. Bug season starts late spring in the surrounding woods.
Summer
Warmest water and the only real swimming. The small lot can fill on hot weekends, so arrive early. Prime sea-kayaking season on Merchants Row.
Fall
Crisp, clear, and uncrowded. Beautiful light on the islands. Water is still swimmable for the brave into early September.
Winter
Empty and stark, a fine cold-weather walk for the view. No swimming.
Packing List
Sand Beach Stonington Day
- Beach towel
- Sunscreen and hat
- Water shoes for the rocky edges and flats
- Swimsuit
- Bug spray for the woods path
- Water and snacks (no facilities)
- A trash bag to carry out
FAQ
Is this the same Sand Beach as in Acadia?
No. This is a small, quiet cove on Deer Isle near Stonington, with no fee and far fewer visitors. Acadia's Sand Beach is a separate, much busier beach on Mount Desert Island.
Where do you park?
There is a free dirt lot right at the trailhead off Sand Beach Road, a few miles west of Stonington harbor. It holds about a dozen cars and can fill on hot summer weekends.
Can you swim there?
Yes, in summer. The cove is sheltered and the shallows warm a bit on sunny afternoons, but the Penobscot Bay water stays cold. There is no lifeguard.
Are dogs allowed?
Dogs are generally welcome on this town-area beach. Keep them under control and clean up after them, especially with other beachgoers around in summer.
What is the view like?
The beach looks out across East Penobscot Bay to the islands of Merchants Row, one of Maine's premier sea-kayaking areas. A short woods path leads to an even wider overlook.
