Sand Beach Acadia National Park: Visitor Guide, Photos & Tips

Acadia National Park is known for its rugged coastline, but if you’re looking for a sandy beach, then the only one in the entire park is the aptly named Sand Beach. During our last visit to Acadia, we really appreciated Sand Beach because it was the only place where we could dig our toes in the sand and submerse ourselves in the Atlantic Ocean. (Okay we only put our feet in the water because the water was freezing cold!) We were also pleased to learn that Sand Beach is also the site of a historic shipwreck! 

Because Sand Beach is near some of Acadia’s most popular trails, it was easy to add it to our one-day itinerary. We parked the car there and then used Sand Beach as our “home base” while we hiked some of the nearby trails. After we finished our hikes, we had a snack and enjoyed watching the Atlantic waves roll in on the beach. 

In this post, I’ll share everything about our trip to Sand Beach! 

Our Visit to Sand Beach 

Sand Beach is a natural pocket beach located in Newport Cove. The beach is unique in that there is water on both sides of it. Behind the beach is the Beehive Lagoon, and directly out in front of the beach is the Atlantic Ocean. To the east you’ll see the Great Head Peninsula. The mountain across the road from the Sand Beach parking lot is the Beehive. 

Sand Beach is 290 yards long, with plenty of space for everyone to enjoy the views. The sand from the beach is partially made from shell fragments that have broken down over time by the surf. 

Sand Beach is a popular spot for people to play along the shores. Although the water temperature is extremely cold year-round, you’ll often find people splashing in the waves on warmer days. Expect the water temperature to be around 55 degrees! If you touch the water, it will definitely wake you up! 

We visited Sand Beach after completing the Beehive Trail. After seeing the beach from above at the summit, we were struck by its beauty and we knew we had to go down to visit it. The beach was nestled in the cove and the water looked so pure. After we finished our hike, we headed to the beach to walk along the shore. 

Even though we were visiting in the late spring, the beach itself wasn’t too crowded. I was surprised there weren’t more people there, given the fact that the parking lot was full. I guess a lot of people were out hiking and not actually at the beach! We touched the water and we can definitely attest that it was very cold!

I recommend visiting after completing one of the numerous nearby hikes. Pack a picnic and enjoy watching the waves roll in.

If you’re a photographer, this would be the perfect place for sunrise photography! 

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The “Tay” Shipwreck

Sand Beach is also home to a historic shipwreck. The “Tay” was a schooner that crashed ashore in 1911. Thankfully, the crew survived, but the ship did not.

The wreckage has been at Sand Beach for over 100 years!

The shipwreck hasn’t always been visible, as it’s been buried underneath the sand. However, a recent storm unearthed it in 2024. I recommend asking a park ranger if it’s still visible if that’s something you’re interested in seeing! I also recommend that you keep your distance from it. There are exposed iron nails that are rusty. 

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Sand Beach in Acadia National Park is typically from late June through early October. This is because the weather is warmer and there are more facilities open.

If you’re looking to avoid crowds, you should try visiting during the shoulder season, perhaps in May or later in October. It’s also best to visit in the early morning or evenings when there are fewer crowds.

Directions

 

Once we entered Acadia National Park, we headed straight to the Sand Beach parking lot right off Park Loop Road. The parking lot is located just .7 miles south of the entrance station.

The Sand Beach parking lot was very large and appeared to be full. However, there were also a lot of people leaving, so it wasn’t too hard for us to find a parking spot. We recommend arriving early to grab a parking spot, but you can always wait for a spot if you arrive on a crowded day.

I think a good idea is to take the Island Explorer free shuttle to the Sand Beach parking lot if you don’t want to have to worry about finding a spot.

Rain in the forecast for your visit? Check out our guide to rainy day activities at Acadia.

Nearby Activities

One of the benefits of stopping at Sand Beach is that there are tons of things to do in this area of the park. We just needed to park our car once and we had hours of activities at our fingertips. Below are a few things you might want to check out!

Hike the Beehive Trail

The first hike we completed at Acadia National Park was the Beehive Trail. We love to go hiking, and this was one of our favorite hikes. What I liked about it most was the experience of using the iron rungs, ladders, and hand bars to scale up the rocks. The view from the top was absolutely incredible. We saw Sand Beach below us, as well as Frenchman Bay.

The trail is 1.4 miles roundtrip and will take you up a 450 foot cliff trail. It took us about 2 hours to complete the hike. We stopped frequently for photos and had a mini-lunch at the top. I wouldn’t recommend this trail for children. The granite is extra-slippery when it’s wet, so it might not be advisable to hike it on a rainy day. It’s a good idea to always check out current advisories on the park’s website, as well as speak to a local park ranger. 

You can easily access the trail across the street from the Sand Beach parking lot.

Check out our full guide of 23 things to do in Acadia National Park!

Great Head Trail

The Great Head Trail at Acadia is accessed from the Sand Beach parking lot. The trail is about a 2 mile loop, and it will take you along the headland of the peninsula. There are steep cliffs along this trail, so exercise caution and be mindful if you have children accompanying you. 

Ocean Path

If you’d like a nice coastal walk, you should check out the Ocean Path. The trail is also accessed from the Sand Beach parking lot. The Ocean Path is a trail that connects Sand Beach to Otter Point. The trail is about 2 miles one-way. There are several points of interest along the way, including Thunder Hole, Monument Cove, Boulder Beach, Otter Cliff, and Otter Point. 

Beehive Lagoon

The lagoon behind Sand Beach is called the Beehive Lagoon. While at Sand Beach, be sure to take a look at the lagoon and see if you can spot any wildlife.

Looking for a hotel near Sand Beach? Check out the Saltair Inn!

Visiting Information

National Park Service Website: https://www.nps.gov/places/sand-beach.htm

Dogs are not permitted on Sand Beach from May 15 through September 15 (peak season). 

Camping at Sand Beach is not permitted. There are two campgrounds on Mount Desert Island: the Seawall Campground and the Blackwoods Campground.

Sand Beach is a popular place for swimming at Acadia National Park. There is typically a lifeguard posted during the summer months. Be prepared for very cold water temperatures if you do decide to swim.

Also be sure to see our guide of things to do in Portland, Maine! It was one of our favorite cities on our New England road trip.

Summary

Sand Beach is a bit of a hidden gem in Acadia. It was a nice spot to relax and watch the waves. I wish I would have brought a blanket and a book! I also think it would be a nice picnic spot. If you want to see the beach from above, be sure to hike to the top of the Beehive Trail!

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