Hampton Beach State Park

New Hampshire's busiest beach is a long sweep of Atlantic sand below the Ocean Boulevard boardwalk, guarded by the NH State Beach Patrol's ocean lifeguards from May into September. The patrol names rip currents as a primary safety concern on this coast, so swim near a staffed stand and be wary of calm-looking gaps between breaking waves. Summer guard hours run 9am to 5:30pm.

Directions

Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0

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Latest reading · SwimScore 73/100 (Good swim) for a typical swimmer: air 14°C, wind 18 km/h, waves 1.5 m, UV 1. Updated 23 Sept, 22:00 UTC.

Know before you go

Getting in: State park at 160 Ocean Blvd, Hampton, open year-round for recreation unless posted; unstaffed in the off-season. Pets are not allowed on the beach May 1 to September 30.
Parking & transport: State metered parking along Route 1A via multi-space pay stations (post the receipt on your dashboard); the posted rate sheet lists $3 per hour May 1 to September 30 at the Main Beach, with no charge November through March.
Lifeguards: 2026 ocean lifeguard schedule for Main and South Beach: 10:15am–4:45pm from May 1 to Memorial Day weekend, 9am–5:30pm from May 25 through Labor Day (September 7), 10:15am–4:45pm September 7–30; no coverage October–April. Lifeguard line: 603-227-8707.
Water quality: NHDES Public Beach Inspection Program samples coastal beaches for Enterococci from Memorial Day to Labor Day; an advisory is issued if any sample exceeds 104 MPN/100 mL and is posted at beach entrances and on the NHDES Healthy Swimming Mapper. Bacteria levels are commonly elevated after rain.
Season: Lifeguarded May 1 through September 30, with extended hours Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Watch for: Rip currents, which the NH State Beach Patrol calls one of its primary safety concerns on the seacoast
Facilities: Bathhouses (Haverhill St., Marine Memorial, South Pavilion, seasonal Seashell) · Rinse stations · Free beach wheelchairs (ID required) · RV campground with full hook-ups