73°
Areas Of Smoke
59%
36
York County, ME · Atlantic Ocean
Long Sands Beach
Long Beach Ave, York, ME 03909
A 1.5-mile arc of sand fronting Route 1A in York Beach, with Nubble Light at the south end. One of the more accessible Maine beaches — Route 1A runs the entire length and there's parallel street parking the whole way. Surfable on a north swell.
Today's Conditions
Skip the beach today.
59% 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 73. 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 65. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Weather
- 73°F air — ideal beach weather
- 59% 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
63 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
73°F
Light Rain and Fog/Mist
Wind
15 mph
S
Rain
59%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
5 Moderate
Peaks 01 PM · burn in ~40m
Burn-free before 10 AM & after 03 PM
Tomorrow
79°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
79°
Sunny
0%
71
80°
Sunny
0%
76
77°
Partly Sunny
14%
70
76°
Rain Showers
87%
26
75°
Slight Chance Rain Showers
22%
63
75°
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
16%
70
What to Bring Today
- 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
Metered street parking along Route 1A (seasonal, mid-May through Columbus Day). 2-hour limits in places — read signs.
Dogs
Dogs prohibited 8 AM – 6 PM, May 20 – September 20. Off-leash sunrise – 8 AM (under voice control); leashed 6 PM – sunrise during summer.
Entry Fee
Free
Address
Long Beach Ave, York, ME 03909
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Long Sands Beach today?
Long Sands 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 Long Sands Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs prohibited 8 AM – 6 PM, May 20 – September 20. Off-leash sunrise – 8 AM (under voice control); leashed 6 PM – sunrise during summer.
Is there an entry fee at Long Sands Beach?
Entry to Long Sands Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at Long Sands Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Long Sands Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Long Sands Beach?
Amenities at Long Sands Beach include lifeguards, restrooms, showers, restaurants nearby.
When is the water warmest at Long Sands 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 Long Sands Beach located?
Long Sands Beach is in York County, ME, at Long Beach Ave, York, ME 03909.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS