Old Orchard Beach

Seven miles of sand on Saco Bay, with the wooden pier and Palace Playland at its center and a seasonal Amtrak Downeaster stop a short walk from the water. The town warns of big tidal swings and rip currents; red flags on the lifeguard stands mean rip conditions. Swim where the guards can see you, and check the Maine Healthy Beaches status after heavy rain.

Directions

Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0

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Latest reading · SwimScore 78/100 (Good swim) for a typical swimmer: air 14°C, wind 10 km/h, waves 1.2 m, UV 1. Updated 23 Sept, 22:00 UTC.

Know before you go

Getting in: Public beach running about seven miles into Scarborough and Saco; downtown access by the pier. Amtrak's Downeaster stops at Old Orchard Beach station seasonally (May to October), with service to Portland and Boston.
Parking & transport: Town municipal lots (Milliken Street, Memorial Park) and on-street meters/kiosks; seasonal parking permits run from the Friday before Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Lifeguards: The town asks swimmers to stay visible to lifeguards when they are on duty; red flags on the lifeguard stands signal rip-current conditions.
Water quality: Participating Maine Healthy Beaches site (OOB - Central, North End and Ocean Park): Enterococcus sampled Memorial Day to Labor Day, with an Elevated Bacteria advisory above 104 MPN/100 mL and Precautionary Rainfall advisories typically after an inch or more of rain in 24 hours.
Season: Summer resort season; beach water monitoring and Thursday-night pier fireworks run Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Watch for: Rip currents
Large tidal range and changing conditions, especially after storms or on windy days
Occasional shark sightings in warmer weather (report to a lifeguard or 911)
Facilities: Pier with shops and food · Palace Playland amusement park next to the beach