74°
Areas Of Smoke
61%
36
York County, ME · Atlantic Ocean
Wells Beach
Seven miles of Atlantic sand from Wells Harbor north toward Drakes Island, set against the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge salt marsh. Quieter and more residential than its Ogunquit and Old Orchard neighbors — the family-cottage-rental Maine beach.
Today's Conditions
Skip the beach today.
61% rain · NWS alert active · 57°F water
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 74. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters 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 64. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Weather
- 74°F air — ideal beach weather
- 61% rain — rain likely at some point
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
20 /100
skip
0 Swim
33 Sunbathe
43 Walk
64 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
74°F
Light Rain and Fog/Mist
Wind
15 mph
S
Rain
61%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
5 Moderate
Peaks 12 PM · burn in ~40m
Burn-free before 10 AM & after 03 PM
Tomorrow
82°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
57°F
Cold
Next Low Tide
9:09 PM
0.2 ft · in 9m
Water Quality
Clean
10 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
5:18 AM
Sunset
8:18 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
82°
Sunny
0%
71
83°
Sunny
0%
75
80°
Partly Sunny
12%
72
81°
Showers And Thunderstorms
87%
10
81°
Slight Chance Rain Showers
21%
65
80°
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
15%
72
What to Bring Today
- critical Wetsuit (if swimming at all) Water is 57°F — dangerously cold
- recommended Rain cover + dry bag 61% chance of rain
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
Paid town lots at Mile Road, Atlantic Avenue, and Casino Square. Cash or app; meters strictly enforced.
Dogs
Dogs prohibited 8 AM – 6 PM, June 16 – September 15. Leashed-only April 1 – June 15. Off-leash permitted at other times outside the June 16 – Sept 15 daytime window per town brochure.
Entry Fee
Free
Address
Mile Rd, Wells, ME 04090
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Wells Beach today?
Wells Beach 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 Wells Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs prohibited 8 AM – 6 PM, June 16 – September 15. Leashed-only April 1 – June 15. Off-leash permitted at other times outside the June 16 – Sept 15 daytime window per town brochure.
Is there an entry fee at Wells Beach?
Entry to Wells Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at Wells Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Wells Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Wells Beach?
Amenities at Wells Beach include lifeguards, restrooms, showers, snack bar, picnic area.
When is the water warmest at Wells Beach?
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 Wells Beach located?
Wells Beach is in York County, ME, at Mile Rd, Wells, ME 04090.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS