65°
Areas Of Smoke
55%
19
Sagadahoc County, ME · Atlantic Ocean
Popham Beach State Park
10 Perkins Farm Lane, Phippsburg, ME 04562
A three-mile sweep of sand at the mouth of the Kennebec River where shifting channels and offshore islands rearrange the shoreline year to year. Strong currents and dropoffs are real, so swimming is best near the lifeguard stations during the staffed season.
Today's Conditions
Skip the beach today.
55% rain · NWS alert active · 30 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 65. South wind 25 to 30 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 8pm, then areas of smoke and a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Southwest wind 15 to 30 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
- 65°F air — cool but workable
- 55% rain — rain likely at some point
- 30 mph wind — strong wind — umbrellas will flip
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
15 /100
skip
0 Sunbathe
29 Walk
49 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
65°F
Cloudy
Wind
25 to 30 mph
S
Rain
55%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
5 Moderate
Peaks 12 PM · burn in ~40m
Burn-free before 10 AM & after 03 PM
Tomorrow
72°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
—
Water Quality
Clean
10 MPN/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 10mo ago
Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference
No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (ANZ152)
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
5:13 AM
Sunset
8:16 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
72°
Sunny
0%
69
69°
Sunny
0%
73
67°
Partly Sunny
6%
69
69°
Showers And Thunderstorms
87%
2
70°
Chance Rain Showers
27%
62
70°
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
20%
71
What to Bring Today
- recommended Beach shelter or anchored canopy 25 to 30 mph wind — umbrellas will flip
- optional Light cover-up, watch for pop-ups 55% rain chance
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
Day-use fee at entrance gate.
Dogs
Pets prohibited on the beach April 1 – September 30. Leashed pets welcome October 1 – March 31.
Entry Fee
$8 adult non-resident / $6 Maine resident (2026)
Address
10 Perkins Farm Lane, Phippsburg, ME 04562
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Popham Beach State Park today?
Popham 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 Popham Beach State Park dog-friendly?
Pets prohibited on the beach April 1 – September 30. Leashed pets welcome October 1 – March 31.
Is there an entry fee at Popham Beach State Park?
$8 adult non-resident / $6 Maine resident (2026)
Are there lifeguards at Popham Beach State Park?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Popham 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 Popham Beach State Park?
Amenities at Popham Beach State Park include lifeguards, restrooms, showers, grills, picnic area.
When is the water warmest at Popham 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 Popham Beach State Park located?
Popham Beach State Park is in Sagadahoc County, ME, at 10 Perkins Farm Lane, Phippsburg, ME 04562.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS