69°
Areas Of Smoke
59%
18
Cumberland County, ME · Atlantic Ocean
Crescent Beach State Park
66 Two Lights Rd, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107
A mile of fine sand 8 miles south of Portland — close enough to be the city's default beach day, sheltered enough that the water warms a few degrees above the open coast. Family-friendly with a gentle slope and a backing dune system.
Today's Conditions
Skip the beach today.
59% rain · NWS alert active · 25 mph wind
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Rain showers likely and areas of smoke before 5pm, then areas of smoke and showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. South wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tonight
Areas of smoke and showers and thunderstorms likely before 9pm, then areas of smoke and a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Southwest wind 10 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Weather
- 69°F air — cool but workable
- 59% rain — rain likely at some point
- 25 mph wind — strong wind — umbrellas will flip
Water
- 57°F water — cold — wetsuit or stay dry
Safety
- NWS alert active — small craft advisory issued july 18 at 2:57pm edt until july 19 at 8:00am edt by nws gray me
10 /100
skip
0 Swim
5 Sunbathe
32 Walk
53 Photo
Best for photography today
Water level 1.2 ft above predicted
Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.
Small Craft Small Craft Advisory
Small Craft Advisory issued July 18 at 2:57PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Gray ME
Full NWS statement
* WHAT...Southwest winds 20 to 30 kt and seas 6 to 9 ft. * WHERE...Coastal Waters from Stonington, ME to Port Clyde, ME out 25 NM, Coastal Waters from Port Clyde, ME to Cape Elizabeth, ME out 25 NM and Coastal Waters from Cape Elizabeth, ME to Merrimack River, MA out 25 NM. * WHEN...Until 8 AM EDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
69°F
Light Rain and Fog/Mist
Wind
20 to 25 mph
S
Rain
59%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
6 High
Peaks 01 PM · burn in ~33m
Burn-free before 10 AM & after 03 PM
Tomorrow
78°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
57°F
Cold
Next Low Tide
9:09 PM
0.2 ft · in 8m
Water Quality
Elevated
102 MPN/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 10mo ago
Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference
No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (ANZ154)
The GYX office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.
- NHZ014 Coastal Rockingham — Portsmouth and Hampton n/a
- MEZ023 Coastal York — Old Orchard, Fortunes Rock, Wells, Ogunquit, n/a
- MEZ024 Coastal Cumberland — Scarborough, Higgins, and Crescent n/a
- MEZ025 Sagadahoc — Reid State Park and Popham n/a
- MEZ026 Lincoln — Pemaquid n/a
- MEZ027 Knox — Birch Point n/a
- MEZ028 Coastal Waldo — Moose Point State Park n/a
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:15 AM
Sunset
8:17 PM
Moon · 18%
Waxing Crescent
Neap tides — smaller range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:28 AM | High | 10.8 ft |
| 8:48 AM | Low | -0.8 ft |
| 3:06 PM | High | 10.0 ft |
| 9:09 PM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:22 AM | High | 10.2 ft |
| 9:38 AM | Low | -0.3 ft |
| 3:58 PM | High | 9.9 ft |
| 10:06 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:18 AM | High | 9.5 ft |
| 10:29 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 4:50 PM | High | 9.7 ft |
| 11:04 PM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:15 AM | High | 8.9 ft |
| 11:20 AM | Low | 0.9 ft |
| 5:41 PM | High | 9.5 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:03 AM | Low | 0.9 ft |
| 6:13 AM | High | 8.4 ft |
| 12:12 PM | Low | 1.4 ft |
| 6:34 PM | High | 9.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:03 AM | Low | 1.1 ft |
| 7:13 AM | High | 8.0 ft |
| 1:07 PM | Low | 1.8 ft |
| 7:29 PM | High | 9.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:04 AM | Low | 1.2 ft |
| 8:13 AM | High | 7.8 ft |
| 2:05 PM | Low | 2.0 ft |
| 8:24 PM | High | 9.1 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8418150, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
78°
Sunny
0%
71
77°
Sunny
0%
70
73°
Partly Sunny
7%
67
78°
Showers And Thunderstorms
87%
8
79°
Slight Chance Rain Showers
20%
64
78°
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
17%
69
What to Bring Today
- recommended SPF 30 sunscreen UV index 6 — high
- recommended Beach shelter or anchored canopy 20 to 25 mph wind — umbrellas will flip
- critical Wetsuit (if swimming at all) Water is 57°F — dangerously cold
- optional Light cover-up, watch for pop-ups 59% rain chance
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
Paid lot at park entrance. Fills on weekends — go early.
Dogs
Dogs prohibited on the beach April 1 – September 30. Leashed on trails otherwise.
Entry Fee
$6/adult ME resident, $8/adult non-resident.
Address
66 Two Lights Rd, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Crescent Beach State Park today?
Crescent Beach State Park shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. Seasonal lifeguards patrol the swim area in summer — follow their flags. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is Crescent Beach State Park dog-friendly?
Dogs prohibited on the beach April 1 – September 30. Leashed on trails otherwise.
Is there an entry fee at Crescent Beach State Park?
$6/adult ME resident, $8/adult non-resident.
Are there lifeguards at Crescent Beach State Park?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Crescent Beach State Park during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Crescent Beach State Park?
Amenities at Crescent Beach State Park include lifeguards, restrooms, showers, snack bar, picnic area, changing rooms.
When is the water warmest at Crescent Beach State Park?
Atlantic water temperatures peak in August. Northern beaches (ME, NH, MA) run cool — typically 60-68°F at the summer peak. Mid-Atlantic (NJ, DE, MD, VA) hits 74-76°F. The Carolinas and Florida Atlantic warm into the 80s and stay swimmable from May through October.
Where is Crescent Beach State Park located?
Crescent Beach State Park is in Cumberland County, ME, at 66 Two Lights Rd, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS