67°
Areas Of Smoke
31%
43
Hancock County, ME · Atlantic Ocean
Sand Beach (Acadia National Park)
Park Loop Road, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
A small pocket of crushed shell and quartz tucked between pink-granite headlands on the Park Loop Road, with water that rarely climbs out of the fifties even in August. The short scale, big cliffs, and surrounding spruce make it one of the most photographed half-miles of coast in Maine.
Today's Conditions
Decent day for photography.
NWS alert active
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Isolated rain showers before 5pm, then areas of smoke and scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. South wind 16 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tonight
Areas of smoke and scattered showers and thunderstorms before 7pm, then rain and scattered thunderstorms between 7pm and 11pm, then rain likely and areas of fog and isolated thunderstorms between 11pm and midnight, then areas of fog and scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Southwest wind 16 to 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Weather
- 67°F air — cool but workable
- 31% rain — pop-up showers possible
- 20 mph wind — breezy — anchor everything
Safety
- NWS alert active — beach hazards statement issued july 18 at 1:56pm edt until july 19 at 8:00pm edt by nws caribou me
41 /100
ok
30 Sunbathe
53 Walk
61 Photo
Best for photography today
Water level 1.0 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.
Beach Hazard Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 1:56PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Caribou ME
Full NWS statement
* WHAT....The warm air temperatures in the upper 70s to low 80s may cause people to underestimate the dangers of the cold water temperatures which are currently in the 50-55 degree range. * WHERE...Coastal Hancock and Coastal Washington Counties. * WHEN...From Sunday morning through Sunday evening. * IMPACTS...The cold water temperatures can quickly cause hypothermia to anyone immersed in the waters. Anyone on boats or paddlecraft should use extreme caution to avoid this threat.
Weather alert in effect
Air Quality Alert issued July 18 at 2:46AM EDT by NWS Caribou ME
Air Quality Alert issued July 17 at 3:41PM EDT by NWS Caribou ME
Atmosphere
Air Temp
67°F
Light Rain
Wind
16 to 20 mph
S
Rain
31%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
5 Moderate
Peaks 11 AM · burn in ~40m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 12 PM
Tomorrow
73°F
Areas Of Fog then Sunny
Water
Water Temp
—
Rip Current Risk
Low
NWS SRF · CAR · MEZ029 · Issued Jul 18, 6:20 PM
Water Quality
Clean
52 MPN/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 10mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:05 AM
Sunset
8:12 PM
Moon · 18%
Waxing Crescent
Neap tides — smaller range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:08 AM | High | 12.3 ft |
| 8:31 AM | Low | -0.7 ft |
| 2:43 PM | High | 11.5 ft |
| 8:54 PM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:02 AM | High | 11.7 ft |
| 9:22 AM | Low | -0.2 ft |
| 3:35 PM | High | 11.4 ft |
| 9:50 PM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:57 AM | High | 11.0 ft |
| 10:13 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 4:27 PM | High | 11.1 ft |
| 10:46 PM | Low | 0.8 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:53 AM | High | 10.3 ft |
| 11:05 AM | Low | 1.0 ft |
| 5:20 PM | High | 10.8 ft |
| 11:44 PM | Low | 1.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:52 AM | High | 9.7 ft |
| 11:58 AM | Low | 1.5 ft |
| 6:14 PM | High | 10.6 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:42 AM | Low | 1.2 ft |
| 6:51 AM | High | 9.3 ft |
| 12:53 PM | Low | 1.9 ft |
| 7:08 PM | High | 10.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:40 AM | Low | 1.2 ft |
| 7:50 AM | High | 9.1 ft |
| 1:48 PM | Low | 2.1 ft |
| 8:02 PM | High | 10.4 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8413320, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
73°
Areas Of Fog then Sunny
9%
71
68°
Sunny
0%
73
67°
Partly Sunny
2%
72
69°
Showers And Thunderstorms
85%
2
70°
Chance Rain Showers
46%
47
71°
Chance Rain Showers
25%
66
What to Bring Today
- recommended Beach shelter or anchored canopy 16 to 20 mph wind — umbrellas will flip
- optional Light cover-up, watch for pop-ups 31% rain chance
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
Park Loop Road lot fills early; covered by Acadia entrance pass. Island Explorer shuttle stops here in season.
Dogs
Non-service dogs prohibited beyond the top of the beach stairs June 15 – September 15. Otherwise leashed (6 ft max) on the beach.
Entry Fee
Acadia National Park entrance pass: $35 per private vehicle (7 days).
Address
Park Loop Road, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Sand Beach (Acadia National Park) today?
Sand Beach (Acadia National 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 Sand Beach (Acadia National Park) dog-friendly?
Non-service dogs prohibited beyond the top of the beach stairs June 15 – September 15. Otherwise leashed (6 ft max) on the beach.
Is there an entry fee at Sand Beach (Acadia National Park)?
Acadia National Park entrance pass: $35 per private vehicle (7 days).
Are there lifeguards at Sand Beach (Acadia National Park)?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Sand Beach (Acadia National Park) during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Sand Beach (Acadia National Park)?
Amenities at Sand Beach (Acadia National Park) include lifeguards, restrooms, changing rooms.
When is the water warmest at Sand Beach (Acadia National 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 Sand Beach (Acadia National Park) located?
Sand Beach (Acadia National Park) is in Hancock County, ME, at Park Loop Road, Bar Harbor, ME 04609.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS