The Maine coast is full of beautiful seaside towns, tons of ways to access the water, rocky beaches, lighthouses galore, and stunning hiking trails.
Come along as we tour the coast of Maine through photos.
I’ve lived in Maine all my life and absolutely recommend everyone to come visit!
A Few Things to Know About Maine…
- According to the State of Maine (very official!), Maine’s coast is broken into 4 sections.
- Maine Beaches: Kittery to Old Orchard Beach
- Greater Portland & Casco Bay: Scarborough to Freeport
- Midcoast: Brunswick to Searsport
- Downeast: Ellsworth to Lubec
Maine Beaches: Kittery to Old Orchard Beach
Although there are beaches all along Maine’s coast, the most popular ones are located in the very southern region of Maine.
The beaches in southern Maine tend to be most busy during peak summer season June-July, have the most amenities, and are popular for locals and tourists alike.
Greater Portland & Casco Bay: Scarborough to Freeport
The Greater Portland area has exploded over recent years with folks moving here from all over the US during the pandemic.
Portland is Maine’s biggest city, but at only 66k residents, still feels small.
Most local Mainers consider Portland to be the “big city”.
Read More: 6 Fantastic Day Trips from Portland Maine You’ll Love
Read More: Top 15 Best Things to do in Freeport, Maine
Midcoast: Brunswick to Searsport
The Midcoast region is less busy than the southern Maine Beaches area, but still popular with locals and tourists.
It offers charming fishing communities, a relaxing atmosphere, and rocky coastline.
This region is also known for its many islands and long skinny peninsulas.
Don’t underestimate the time it can take to get from one town to the next here.
Downeast: Ellsworth to Lubec
Home to Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor, this region is popular with tourists wanting to visit Maine’s only National park.
Most visitors won’t venture north of Bar Harbor as it offers lesser known attractions and fewer options for lodging and eating out, but this area is well worth visiting!
Personally, this is my favorite region! I love how quiet it can be, the beautiful small towns , and how authentic the locals are. Downeast is how I imagine Maine was years before travelers started visiting.
Read More: 3 Amazing Maine Oceanfront Campground: Reviewed for You!
Read More: 19 Best Things to Do While Visiting Lubec, Maine
Final Thoughts
There are countless towns to visit along Maine’s coastline. No matter where you go in this beautiful state, you’ll love it here! Be sure to check out lighthouses, beaches, state parks, and don’t forget to get on the water.
