Sand Beach
A scenic beach nestled between the mountains and rocky shores on the east side of Mount Desert Island.
Plan Around Sand Beach
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Sand Beach Details
An inviting spot for sunbathers, but swimmers beware: the ocean here is chilly even at the height of summer. If you do jump in, you'll find that the beach has a shallow slope and fine sand. A rare Maine pocket beach, this semicircle of sand is located in Newport Cove, with Great Head to the east and the cliffs of Ocean Drive to the west. The rock ledge you see in the cove is called Old Soaker, where the schooner Tay ran aground in 1911. The wreck, which landed on the beach, was buried by sand over time but occasionally resurfaces with the tides. The dunes behind the beach are off limits to protect against erosion, but you have a choice of two hiking trails to explore at Sand Beach: the Ocean Trail and the Beehive. The Ocean Trail starts at the upper parking lot and runs about two miles parallel to Park Loop Road. The Beehive is connected to the Bowl Trail and allows hikers to scramble along the ocean cliffs, aided by metal rungs for climbing and small bridges crossing chasms.
Difficulty
Low
Distance
N/A
Estimated time
60
Region
N/A
Nearby Parks Around Sand Beach
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Nearby Points of Interest Around Sand Beach
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Sand Beach
A popular beach where visitors can swim, but beware, the waters are icy cold, even in summer.
0.0 mi away
Sand Beach
Sand Beach is inviting for sunbathers, but swimmers should be aware that the ocean temperature here is chilly even at the height of summer.
0.1 mi away
Great Head Trail
A great family hike with wonderful spots for picnics and watching marine life.
0.1 mi away
Sand Beach
The Island Explorer operates on Mount Desert Island June 23 through October 11, 2021. Fall service begins the last week in August.
0.1 mi away
Sand Beach Restrooms
This is a larger, permanent restroom located in the main parking lot for Sand Beach.
